Harry Styles, Harry’s House | Album Review 💿

Grammy-winner Harry Styles delivers a well-rounded third studio album in Harry’s House, successfully contrasting his previous two LPs.

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n this world, it’s just us / You know it’s not the same as it was.” In the year of our lord, 2022,🏆 Grammy-winning pop musician 🎙 Harry Styles returns! Yay! In advance of his third studio album, 💿 Harry’s House, Styles wowed us with a no. 1 single, 🎵 “As It Was”.  “As It Was” was our first hint that Mr. Styles would be exploring a different musical direction: 80s synthpop/New Wave, etc. The positive thing for Harry is, this new direction isn’t merely positive on “As It Was,” but works well throughout Harry’s House.  Basically, Harry’s House is an inviting place to be, musically speaking, of course!

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“Music for a Sushi Restaurant”

“Green eyes, fried rice, I could cook an egg on you.” Um, okay! 🤩 🎵 “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” commences Harry’s House in groovy fashion – it’s an electrifying start.  The production (🎛 Tyler Johnson and 🎛 Kid Harpoon) stands out with its infectious beat, bass line, rhythm guitar, harmonized backing vocals, and horns. The ear candy is legit, finding Styles fusing multiple music genres, all of which hearken back to the past.  Instantly, the record serves as a contrast to songs he’s personally released in the past.  For part of the verses, Styles sings coolly, in an undertone.  He grows more overt, but never forces things – he barely breaks a sweat.  He doesn’t need to – this is one hell of a start.

“If you’re feeling down, I just wanna make you happier, baby.” The enthusiastic 🤩 🎵 “Late Night Talking” follows, maintaining Harry Styles’ ‘new style.’ Like “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” there is more of a synth-driven sound.  It’s funky fo’ sho! “Late Night Talking,’ however, is more 1980s centric.  Styles continues to sing with a coolness while also presenting ample swagger.  His tone is warm and beautiful – quite pleasing to the ear. Musically, there’s plenty to heart about “Late Night Talking” including the harmonic progression, the memorable chorus, and of course the theme – love.

🎵 “Grapejuice” keeps Harry’s House groovy – a selling point.  The repeated, driving bass line, and prominent use of piano are sweet musical features.  Also, the tone of guitars is a selling point too.  Interestingly, in the verses, Styles’ vocals are mixed toward the back.  While the timbre is intriguing, it’s a bit odd.  Thankfully, Styles’ vocals arrive in full force in the chorus (“There’s just no getting through / Without you / a bottle of rouge / Just me and you”).

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“As It Was” 

“I want you to hold out the palm of your hand / Why don’t we leave it at that?” Styles shines on former no. 1 single, 🤩 🎵 “As It Was”.  This was the first hint he’d explore a different musical direction: 80s synthpop/New Wave.  Ultimately, the results are as positive. “As It Was” is incredibly catchy, particularly the chorus. The record was penned by Styles alongside Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson who also produce.  Thematically, Harry explores loneliness and likely, a break-up. “‘Harry, you’re no good alone / Why are you sitting at home on the floor?” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “What kind of pills are you on?” Also, Styles seems to conclude he’s no longer the same as he was. Also, he could be referring to the defunct relationship in the chorus as he asserts, “In this world, it’s just us / You know it’s not the same as it was.” Ultimately, Styles sings well, the songwriting captures authentic, relatable emotions, and the production is incredible.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: April 2022

🎵 “Daylight” continues to embrace synths, more like, double down on them.  Again, it’s a contrast, but it works out for Harry Styles. I enjoy his vocal performance very much, particularly the harmonized portions incorporating falsetto.  The chorus continues to be ear-catching, featuring the contrast between subtlety vocally and a dynamic backdrop.

“Little freak, Jezebel…” Uh-oh! Anytime Jezebel is referenced, the connotation is negative.  On 🤩 🎵 “Little Freak,” sex is a factor for sure.  Harry seems to be in a sexual relationship with the nameless “Little Freak” who is “A wet dream just dangling / But your gift is wasted on me.” Obviously, the experience is enjoyable, but this woman is not someone whom Styles can pursue beyond sex.  He admits, in the third verse, “Jumped in feet first and I landed too hard / A broken ankle, karma rules / You never saw my birthmark.”

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“Matilda”

“You can let it go / You can throw a party full of everyone you know,” Styles sings on 🤩 🎵 “Matilda.” He continues, “And not invite your family ‘cause they never show you love / You don’t have to be sorry for leavin’ and growin’ up.” Harry encourages Matilda to be brave and move beyond the pain that’s been imposed on her by her family. While he acknowledges her situation is none of his business, he implores her to find happiness and not wallow in an unfortunate past.  In the bridge, he asserts, “I know they won’t hurt you anymore / As long as you can let them go.”

“Matilda” cooled off in the groove department. No worries, as the slickly produced 🤩 🎵 “Cinema” easily atones.  Harry Styles sounds incredibly sexy here.  Again, he does so without forcing things, over-singing, or using naughty language. “Cinema” is a prime example of a sexy track where the art of sexual innuendo is perfectly executed.  There’s plenty to heart, including the ultra-catchy chorus, as well as the extended outro where Styles sings, “I bring the pop to the cinema / You pop when we get intimate.” Ooh, wee Harry! 

It’s hard to escape those exuberant horns on 🎵 “Daydreaming.” Furthermore, the groove is lit. Vocally, Harry Style continues to impress without being a powerhouse, at least, initially. As the record progresses, he shows more of his chops. Worth noting, the vocal harmonies are delightful – surefire ear candy.  Thematically, what’s Styles daydreaming about? Her, of course (“Stay until the morning / ‘Cause, baby, lovin’ you’s the real thing”).

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“Keep Driving”

🤩 🎵 “Keep Driving” keeps things short but sweet. Honestly, in some ways, “Keep Driving” is one of the deeper songs of Harry’s House. In the chorus, Styles asks a valid question: “Should we just keep driving?” Throughout, this question seems to be tied with love as well as various happenings in life both uncomplicated and tumultuous. On 🤩 🎵 “Satellite,” distance plays a huge factor: “I go ‘round and ‘round / Satellite.” In another synthpop joint, Harry wants to be closer to this person.  He asserts, “I’m here, right here / Wishin’ I could be there for ya.” Unfortunately, this person won’t allow him to do so.  His pain, however, is our listening pleasure.  The production, which begins more subtle, explodes into something much grander and ornate.  Likewise, Styles becomes much more overt on “Satellite” compared to most of Harry’s House.

🎵 “Boyfriends” appears as the penultimate track.  No, Harry Styles isn’t speaking about sexuality but rather the bad boyfriends of others.  He speaks to the girlfriends who “Love a fool who knows just how to get under your skin.” Give Styles credit for the theme, thoughtfulness, and his gorgeous vocals. 🎵 “Love of My Life” concludes Harry’s House with – wait for it – synths! Besides the power of those keys and programming, we get commanding vocals by Styles.  No, it’s not a “Sign of the Times” level performance, but it does mark one of his most pronounced of the album. What’s for sure is there’s dedication and ample love, despite separation.  Interestingly, this love is directed to Styles’ native country, England.

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 Final Thoughts 💭

All in all, by my estimations, Harry Styles delivers on Harry’s House.  It’s an alluring effort filled with some compelling productions, intriguing theme & lyrics, and of course, strong vocals from Styles.  Is Harry’s House the perfect pop album? No but it is entertaining and overall, well-rounded.  Something I really respect about the effort is that Styles wasn’t afraid to switch things up.  Plenty of spin-worthy moments by my estimations.

🤩 Gems 💎: “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” “Late Night Talking,” “As it Was,” “Little Freak,” “Matilda,” “Cinema” & “Keep Driving”  

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🎙 Harry Styles • 💿 Harry’s House • 🏷 Erskine / Columbia • 📅 5.21.22

[📷: Erskine / Columbia]

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