![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
On January 15, after a four year hiatus, Harry Styles announced the release of a fourth studio album: “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.” Fans were ecstatic to hear the new album on March 6, as the last album, “Harry’s House”, was released in May of 2022.
After such a long wait for a new record, the alleged “disco” sound implied by the title was an exciting change. However, listening to the album reveals that the sound didn’t deviate too far from Styles’ previous albums. The new record felt like it was trying to do something different, but he was too scared to change his music too much.
Key characteristics of disco music are: 4/4 tempo (known as “four-on-the-floor”), syncopated bass lines, string and brass sections, and electric piano. “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” has some aspects of these, like a 4/4 beat (though most songs are that tempo, anyway), more bass than previous albums, and it definitely holds a lot of electronic sounds. However, Styles’ album feels more like what’s described as “synth-pop”, which is defined by its electronic beats and use of synthesizers. “Kiss All the Time” is missing string and bass sections and a high tempo that would make it feel more “disco”-like.
However, despite the implications in the title, Styles never confirmed that it would be a disco album. Although the album wasn’t bad, the expectations led by the advertising made the change in sound feel less dramatic, lessening the impact of the album. Many of the sounds used in this new album have already been found in previous Harry Styles tracks; he just dialled up the use of electronic beats.
Although the advertising made it feel like the change in sound should’ve been more drastic, there still was a difference in vibe between this album and the previous ones. This change was mostly found in the use of his lyrics.
Though most of the lyricism itself is the same, the way the voice is mixed feels like it’s trying to give more emphasis to the beat of the songs. Many characteristics of Styles’ singing were washed down; he doesn’t utilize many background vocals, and his vocals feel somewhat tame compared to previous tracks like “Kiwi” or “Music for a Sushi Restaurant”.
After getting past the fact that this is not a disco album, it’s easier to appreciate the songs. The album does have beats you can bop your head to.
Tracks like “Taste Back” feel very calming and pretty, and the song “Ready, Steady, Go!” has an exciting bass line that keeps the album fun. The songs have interesting instrumentals behind the vocals that can keep the listener’s attention.
Like previous albums, there is a mix of slower and faster songs. The switch between songs like “Season 2 Weight Loss” and “Coming Up Roses” keep the album dynamic. However, they are the kind of songs that take a few listens to get used to and appreciate.
The leading single, “Aperture”, was a good choice to introduce listeners to what the broader album sounds like. Many artists choose singles that capture a different sound than the rest of the album, but “Aperture” gives a good snapshot into Styles’ new sound, while not making it feel too far from other songs he’s made before.
One thing the album could have used more of is diversity in the sounds between songs. In his previous three records, there have been distinct acoustic songs, for example: “From the Dining Table”, “Cherry”, and “Matilda”. It feels like this album missed a lot of what makes Styles’ music unique.
Some of the best parts of Styles’ sound and lyricism were lost in this new record; it feels like a washed-down version of the new synth/electronic sound making its way into pop music, found in newer artists like Chappell Roan. “Kiss All the Time” feels like it is trying to latch onto this new trend, losing Styles’ individuality in what makes his music special.
Harry Styles’ new album was somewhat disappointing after the advertisement for a drastically new sound. He was stuck in the middle of his new and old sound, making the impact fall flat in both respectives. “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” was not a bad album and can still be enjoyable, but it was not all it could’ve been.
