After 3 years out of the spotlight post-Love on Tour, Harry Styles has returned with the confidence of someone who knows the world has been waiting for him. Over just 20 days, he has announced his upcoming album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, his lead single Aperture, a world tour accompanied with the promise of a 12-night residency at Wembley, and an album release concert in Manchester. These announcements don’t just mark a comeback, it’s Styles’ full-scale entry back into pop dominance.
Aperture brings a noticeable shift to the One Direction’s star’s previous discography. We see Styles leaning into a dance-pop sub-genre, with distinct sounds inspired by LCD Soundsystem, and his ‘gap year’ spent in Rome, Berlin and even Ibiza. On the first listen, it doesn’t strike an audience as a traditional lead single. Whilst the track is bouncy and designed for a club setting, the structure is slow-burn and repetitive, with the chorus blending into the rest of the song. The lyrics however reflect emotional maturity, and instead of being explosive, its moody atmosphere draws you in.
A 12-night residency is unheard of in Wembley’s rich history. With stars such as Coldplay and Taylor Swift reaching 10 and 8 nights respectively, it’s a bold move for Styles after his lengthy break. But is it ambition or ego? Whilst fans were delighted at the chance to ‘boot scoot’ in the pit and wear those beloved feather boas again, a sea of criticism swelled online over the ticket prices. With the ‘cheapest’ set at just under £100, many fans have voiced frustration at the out-of-reach pricing, despite being long-term fans. For an artist like Styles, whose image has often preached accessibility and relatability, that tension is hard to ignore, and blurs the lines between a night to remember, and a quick cash grab. It is worth mentioning that major stadium shows are expensive to produce, with luxuriant lighting and ambitious stage sets. Still, critics will be quick to pounce if the prices don’t match the standard of the show.
Part of Styles’ appeal has always been his exuberant fashion sense and his slightly quirky album themes. Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally is no different in that sense. It suggests a contrast between slow, deep intimacy, and flashy, rhythmic beats. Disco-inspired, 80’s outfits are all over the TikTok algorithm, inspiring fans with ideas for concert attire, including Manchester’s One Night Only: an album release show with a capacity capped at 23,500. This concept hints at dance influences, fused with Styles’ niche of emotional songwriting (exemplified previously in the form of Falling, Fine Line or Matilda). This could suit his strengths, as long as the experimentation is genuine, rather than cosmetic.
There is no denying the force of this comeback. The ambition is there. The risk is there. Whether the album lives up to expectations is yet to be seen. This could redefine Harry Styles as a momentous pop star, or it could prove that even the most charismatic of idols cannot ride the wave of fame forever.
