Harry Styles

Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Columbia Records

In a fashion similar to such iconic artists as David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, and Elvis Costello, the music of Harry Styles continues to mature and evolve while remaining fresh and exciting — a spot-on observation proven further by his just-released fourth studio solo set, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Another forward-pointing production collab between Kid Harpoon (Florence + the Machine, Lily Allen, PVRIS) and Tyler Johnson (John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran), the seemingly ColecoVision-inspired 12-track collection finds Styles still giving himself the freedom to grow artistically without confusing or frustrating his massive global audience.

While the unapologetic electro-pop lead-off single, “Aperture,” may have felt initially (to some) like a bit of a stylistic left turn, the like-minded just-released follow-up single, “American Girls,” reveals further that this record is headed in only one direction: straight to the downtown dance club’s swanky martini bar after-party.

Stylistically savvy as ever, Styles keeps one eye on the past, as his thumb remains placed firmly on the pulse of current culture. While the buzzy, bass-driven “Ready, Steady, Go!” smells sunflower fresh, the intoxicating “Are You Listening Yet?” is slightly more reminiscent of the popular electro-pop pulsating through dance clubs circa ‘98.

Although the record certainly represents a forward progression, two of the record’s dreamier, pop-fueled feel-goods, “Taste Back” and “Season 2 Weight Loss,” could have likely both felt right at home in Harry’s House.

Two of Styles’ most appealing artistic assets have always been his unique knack for engaging storytelling and magical melody-making. To that, it can be said “The Waiting Game” and “Paint by Numbers” stand as two of the record’s tallest tracks. However, a very strong case can also be made for the delicate and deeply personal “Coming Up Roses” being Styles’ most brilliant, epic composition since “Falling.”

In sum, with Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally., Harry Styles proves (once again) why he’s (still) the reigning modern-day pop music messiah. And if he stays on his current trajectory, he’ll remain relevant (and wildly popular) for as long as he chooses to stay in the game.

Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. Track List

SIDE ONE

1. Aperture (H. Styles, T. Hull) – 5:11

1. American Girls (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 3:33

1. Ready, Steady, Go! (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 2:40

1. Are You Listening Yet? (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 3:12

1. Taste Back (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 3:41

1. The Waiting Game (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 2:49

SIDE TWO

1. Season 2 Weight Loss (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 3:49

1. Coming Up Roses (H. Styles) – 4:08

1. Pop (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 3:36

1. Dance No More (H. Styles, T. Hull) – 3:14

1. Paint by Numbers (H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson) – 2:27

1. Carla’s Song (H. Styles, T. Hull) – 4:13

Harry Styles

Christopher Long