After five years dedicated to the world-renowned One Direction, twenty-three year old Harry Styles is shedding his played-out boy band skin, revealing a bright and gleaming future as a solo rock artist.
His self-titled debut album, Harry Styles, may surprise many people with its cross-genre endeavours that are far removed from the ostensible loved-up hits of One Direction. Styles explores rock and pop at large, while stepping into some country-esque boots for his ballad Two Ghosts. Sweet Creature is a tender serenade with folk roots, a welcome change from the upbeat blues backbone of the feel-good Carolina. Styles' voice has matured immensely since his X-Factor days, with his debut single Sign of The Times showcasing his raspy drawl against a strong piano backing. He also pays homage to classic rock and roll, with remnants of Elton John's Benny and the Jets' guitar and piano riffs appearing in Woman's soulful and pulsating melody. Of Monsters and Men, as well as Arctic Monkeys are hinted at throughout the album, with Meet Me In The Hallway reverberating some serious Angus and Julia Stone vibes. Following five years as a choreographed, commercialised puppet, Styles is yet to discover the natural flow of his music, in vein of the detached structure of his heavy rock song, Kiwi. It's not uncommon for breakout stars to have flaws imbedded in their debuts. Harry Styles does have a weakness in failing to develop Only Angel any deeper than its repetitive blues beats, typecasting as the usual bad reputation/angel in disguise trope. It sounds like Styles is still desperately floundering to find his footing amongst lines of one night stands and miscommunication, but the album shows promise as this artist makes a hasty imprint in the world of rock. It's easy to turn a blind eye when it comes to Harry Styles, especially if you're not a fan of One Direction. But, be warned, you'll be missing out on what might just be the best genre-transitional debut album of this decade.
Harry Styles: Harry Styles
Release date: 12 May 2017
Label: Columbia Records
1. Meet Me In The Hallway
2. Sign of The Times
3. Carolina
4. Two Ghosts
5. Sweet Creature
6. Only Angel
7. Kiwi
8. Ever Since New York
9. Woman
10. From The Dining Table