Harry Styles, Fine Line | Album Review 💿

Harry Styles, the ‘chosen one’ of One Direction, shines bright on his highly anticipated sophomore album, Fine Line.

Every boy band has a star, right? Right! Even when that said boy band is One Direction, and all five original members have talent, usually one shines brighter than the rest.  In my opinion, Harry Styles is that certified star from 1D, even though the other members have experienced their share of success.  Styles’ 2017, self-titled debut album deserved Grammy recognition, if for nothing else than the stunning record “Sign of the Times”.  After such a promising debut, album number two from 1D’s chosen arrives highly anticipated.  Does Fine Line disappoint? Not in my eyes.

“Golden”

✓ “Golden” commences Fine Line in bright and spirited fashion.  Incredibly sunny, set in a major key, the record puts a smile on your face as listen – a perfect album opener.  Harry Styles delivers a respectable, balanced vocal performance, never over-singing nor underwhelming.  The chorus is simple but ultimately effective and quite memorable. 

“Tastes like strawberries on a summer evenin’ / And it sounds just like a song.”  Harry Styles seems enjoys fruit, as ✓ “Watermelon Sugar” marks his second fruit-oriented song. The second single from Fine Line is filled with selling points.  First and foremost, he sings superbly; the huskiness and assertiveness of his vocal performance is awesome. Regarding sound, Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson give him a top-notch backdrop to work with.  There are elements of rock and pop, as well as a dash of retro and vintage.  The listener is also spoiled with ear candy – acoustic and electric guitars, piano, keyboard, and most distinctly, horns.  As far as songwriting goes, “Watermelon Sugar” isn’t deep or transcendent, but it is enjoyable and entertaining.  That begins with the verses, which are love-centric and summery. It continues on the pre-chorus and is capped off by the repetitive but vibe-filled chorus, which highlights the titular lyric: “Watermelon sugar high.”

The adoration is real on “Adore You,” the third advance single from Fine Line.  Lyrically, “Adore You” is a straightforward – nothing particularly deep or transcendent beyond the expected.  While Styles’ dedication is genuine on the chorus (“I’d walk through fire for you / Just let me adore you”), it’s not as if singer/songwriters haven’t imparted similar lines in the past.  Still, “Adore You” gives Styles another pleasant, well-rounded number.

“Lights Up” 

“All the lights couldn’t put out the dark / Runnin’ through my heart / Lights up and they know who you are / Know who you are / Do you know who you are? (Oh).” ✓  🤩 “Lights Up” certainly amplified speculation regarding Harry Styles’ sexuality, but what’s most important is how intriguing the record is.  “Lights Up” features elements of vintage and retro, led by a robust bass line and keyboards. There are also some modern cues, including the sleekness of the vocal production and programming as well.  “Lights Up” is groovy, featuring fine production work (Tyler Johnson). Vocally, Styles sounds absolutely marvelous, making it crystal clear that he will “Shine, step into the light” and, ‘never go back.’

“Cherry” embraces the Brit-pop, retro pop/rock sound.  Two albums in, Harry Styles continues to incorporate pop/rock musical styles of the past that are quite older than he is.  The result is another lovely, thoughtful record, one specifically about an ex-girlfriend.  Styles sings on the chorus, “Don’t you call him ‘baby’ / We’re not talking lately,” continuing, “Don’t you call him what you used to call me.” On “Falling,” Styles toys with ‘matters of the heart’ to some extent, but also questions himself in regard to, well, life essentially.  The chorus, the centerpiece of this mid-tempo ballad, sums it up best:

“What am I now? What am I now?
What if I’m someone I don’t want around?
I’m falling again, I’m falling again, I’m fallin’.”

“To Be So Lonely”

“And I’m just an arrogant son of a bitch / Who can’t admit when he’s sorry.” Where “Cherry” and “Falling” are ballads where Harry Styles doesn’t hide hold back his feelings, “To Be So Lonely” is more lighthearted.  Interestingly, he manages to connect both previous songs to “To Be So Lonely,” with lines like “Don’t blame me for falling” (verse one) as well as “Don’t call me ‘baby’ again, you got your reasons” (chorus).  Whether he’s drunk or not, Styles is honest about personal flaws – “Do you think it’s easy being of the jealous kind?” 

✓ “She” runs an ambitious length, extending north of six minutes.  Even so, this slower, soulful cut features some of the best production of Fine Line (Kid Harpoon at his finest). This exemplifies the old-school/retro sound, hearkening back to soul and 70s pop/rock. Harry Styles delivers another fine vocal performance, including some upper register vocals – a contrast compared to the majority of his songs.  The crème de la crème – why the chorus, of course!

“She, she lives in daydreams with me
She’s the first one that I see, and I don’t know why
I don’t know who she is.” 

“Cherry” thrived in its Brit-pop characterization, but ✓ “Sunflower, Vol. 6” arguably takes things to the next level.  “Sunflower” is about a literal flower of course, but rather, relates back to the relationship that has stifled him throughout much of Fine Line.  One of the best recurrent moments from “Sunflower, Vol. 6” is the refrain (or bridge) of sorts, which contrasts the chorus and verse lyrically and musically. There is lovely vocal production, including some exquisite vocal harmonies (on the lyric, “tonight”). Basically, Styles is still ‘in love,’ or so it seems.

“I couldn’t want you any more
Kiss in the kitchen like it’s a dance floor
I couldn’t want you anymore
Tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight).”

“Canyon Moon”

“Canyon Moon” is an incredibly groovy, folk-rock record that suits Styles particularly well.  Again, the artist showcases his love of old-school music, which includes musical cues such as harmonized lead vocal melodies, rhythmic acoustic guitars, and how the keyboards are used.  The result is a beautiful record that’s arguably a bit anachronistic as we head into 2020, yet, simultaneously, a refreshing ‘blast of the past.’ 

The soulful penultimate record ✓ “Treat People with Kindness” is quite the unexpected surprise.  The message is simple but definitely heartfelt and true to the nth degree.  Harry Styles continues to sing sensationally, though it should be noted he gets a sizable lift from his supporting choir – can I get an amen? Listening to this thoughtful number, it’s a blend of 70s, socially conscious soul with some cues from Queen.  Following the exuberant “Treat People with Kindness,” Styles ‘brings it down’ a bit on the title track, “Fine Line” – initially.  The vocals are elite, as he sings both beautifully and with a degree of tenderness.  As “Fine Line” progresses, the song percolates more.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Harry Styles delivers an enjoyable, well-rounded sophomore album with Fine Line.  Does he ever earn another moment as big as “Sign of the Times” was on his self-titled debut? Arguably no, but there are enough solid songs that easily stick with the listener and showcase the talent and the versatility of Styles.  Is there any doubt whose star seems to be the brightest from One Direction? 

✓ Gems: “Golden,” “Watermelon Sugar,” 🤩 “Lights Up,” “She,” “Sunflower” & “Treat People with Kindness” 

Harry Styles • Fine Line • Columbia • Release: 12.13.19

Photo Credit: Columbia