An Invitation to Harry’s House; Album Review
Harry Styles has had the world wrapped around his finger since One Direction, but once he started releasing his solo music all eyes were on him.
His debut single “Sign of the Times” was released in 2017 and since then his career has changed. After the British boyband, Styles felt the pressure of having to prove himself. In his newest album “Harry’s House”, he is finally able to enjoy himself and focus on what he loves, music.
Like many other musicians during lockdown many had an epiphany, that’s when the quarantine albums were born. They all follow the same theme that came with lockdown, Lorde’s “Solar Power” focused on escapism, Taylor Swift “Folklore” focused on the quiet time and “Harry’s House” focuses on home being a feeling.
His single “As It Was” was highly anticipated following his two albums “Fine Line” and his self titled album, known as HS1. Styles broke records with “As It Was” becoming the biggest single day stream (8.3 million) by a male artist in global Spotify history.
“As It Was” starts off with a voicemail from Styles’ goddaughter, “Come on, Harry. We want to say goodnight to you,” followed by a sound of synth pop, an unfamiliar sound for Styles. This single touches on the feeling of loneliness while having an upbeat sound. “In this world, it’s just us/ You know it’s not the same as it was”.
This is Styles’ most personal album, inviting listeners into his home.
Harry’s House opens with “Music For a Sushi Restaurant”, a feel-good funky song and horns that captivate listeners from the get-go. Styles noticeably has more fun with lyrics “I could cook an egg on you” and “Scuba-duba-duba” which is supposed to sound like gibberish.
He follows the theme of quirky beats with “Late Night Talking”, throughout the song he’s confessing a crush through his melodies. “Now you’re in my life/ I can’t get you off my mind”.
“Daylight” and “Grapejuice” are both short and sweet, Styles plays with eccentric harmonies and flirty verses.
Styles takes a break from the dance floor and follows with his ballads “Little Freak” where he mournfully sings about his beloved’s “delicate point of view” and “Matilda” where he describes entering adulthood on your own. “You don’t have to be sorry for leaving and growing up”. He’s both a lover and friend.
“Watermelon Sugar” proved Styles is not afraid to allude to sexual metaphors, that’s when “Cinema” was born. “If you’re getting yourself wet for me.” “I bring the pop to the cinema/ you pop when we get intimate”.
“Daydreaming” is what feels richly textured from the horn-lead, drums, vocals, and his signature scream. Following the theme of love, “Daydreaming” is a fun and flirty song. “So give me all of your love, give me something to dream about”.
“Keep Driving” paints a picture of desire, “Cocaine/ Side boob/ Choke her with a sea view”. The bridge of the song breaks up the melancholy sound with a guitar riff from Mitch Rowland.
“Satellite” starts off slow but quickly picks up its tempo, Styles wrote this song for the people that always feel like the second choice. “Don’t you know that I am right here?/ Spinnin’ out, waitin’ for ya.” Creeping at the end of the song is a breakdown of instruments which is a treat to the ears.
“Boyfriend” is another soft ballad where Styles illuminates the bad things people do to one another. “You lay with him as you stay in a daydream/ you feel a fool, you’re back at it again”.
The closer “Love Of My Life” leaves the album off on a sentimental moment that leaves listeners with Styles somber vocals and a melancholy whimper.
This is Styles most creatively produced album to date, this is a light dust of an indie-pop album. Not every album has to be serious, a fun and carefree album with funky songs always has a place on my shelf.
Home is what you make of it, Harry’s House is open for tour don’t be afraid to take a peak.
Tag us at @HerCampusSJSU on Instagram and let us know your favorite song off of Harry’s House!
My song rankings:
- Satellite
- Music For a Sushi Restaurant
- Daydreaming
- Late Night Talking
- Matilda
- Keep Driving
- Grapejuice
- As It Was
- Daylight
- Little Freak
- Cinema
- Boyfriends
- Love of My Life