By Jacqueline Ayala, Editor, and Emma G. Harrison, Editor-in-Chief
Introduction
Jacqueline
Four years after the release of Harry’s House in May of 2022, Harry Styles has now released his highly anticipated fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally on March 6, 2026. He shifts music style from the R&B influences in Harry’s House and starts going more toward dance-pop and synth-pop in this new album. So, Emma and I are putting on our dancing shoes to discuss the collection of new tracks, because the only thing to make this album even better is disco-ing our feelings out!
“Aperture”
Emma
Starting the album off strong, Styles literally and lyrically lets the light in. Released on January 22, 2026, as the lead single for Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally (or KATTDO as fans lovingly refer), “Aperture” instantly took control of the charts, landing at number one in the Billboard Hot 100 within the first two weeks of streaming – a placement that was rightfully earned, might I add. Accompanied by euphoric synth-pop sounds, this song explores themes of love and light, encouraging listeners to turn the aperture down to let the light in.
“Aperture” is the gateway into an album full of Styles’ innermost self-reflection. He opened up in an interview with 102.7KIISFM about what this album means to him and how this song specifically opens the mind to make way for the light waiting for you, stating, “You control how much light you let into your life.” He later went on to talk about how he has started doing this just by deciding to say yes to what life has to offer him.
“Aperture” echoes everything Styles has been learning about himself over the past four years of taking a break from music. The lyrics repeat, “I won’t stray from it, I don’t know these spaces / Time won’t wait on me, I wanna know what safe is.” Styles later commented on the meaning behind his powerful choice of words, “Everyone wants to feel safe…all the things that sound so simple, but I think when you are closed off in certain ways, then it’s hard to feel known, therefore harder to feel accepted, therefore harder to feel safe…I think for me, I have found [that] the more vulnerable I have ever been with people, the safer I end up feeling, even if it is scary in the moment.”
Everything Styles discussed when talking about this new release really resonates with me on such a personal level. I truly believe his ability to connect with his audience’s emotions in such an impactful way is what has made “Aperture” this much of a hit.
“American Girls”
Jacqueline
An ode to 5 Seconds of Summer’s “English Love Affair” perhaps? If you were a fan of One Direction at the time “English Love Affair” was released, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. This song has the perfect catchy rhythm to get you feeling lost in the music, giving more similar energy to his first self-titled album, Harry Styles.
“American Girls” reflects on the people in Harry’s life as they are getting married. In an interview with Zane Lowe, he says there is something special about finding someone to spend the rest of your life with, even when he is enjoying the single life.
Even with the deeper meanings in the lyrics, I do enjoy this song for a good dancing session. It reminds me of similar vibes to songs by David Bowie, an artist whom Harry takes a lot of inspiration from. All in all, it was a great song to release as a second single!
“Ready, Steady, Go!”
Emma
If disco occasionally is what we are encouraged to do, well, “Ready, Steady, Go!” certainly will have you disco-ing more than just occasionally. I still don’t know who Leon is (and neither does anyone else), but this song is a definitive example of a classically groovy Harry Styles song. The transition from whispering lyrics to screaming them adds to the dreamy yet infectious vibe “Ready, Steady, Go!” achieves, making it perfect for late-night dance parties or chilling by the pool; perfect for all your good vibe summer needs!
“Are You Listening Yet?”
Jacqueline
It’s Harry’s speciality to give the most upbeat song the deepest lyrics he could possibly have. “Are You Listening Yet?” is a high-paced and well-lyricized song that tricks your mind not to fully understand the lyrics until the song is already over (hence the title), as he sings, “Now you’re all out of choices, are you listening yet? / Between your head and heart and somewhere else instead.” Our mind can be the most chaotic place for us to be, and “Are You Listening Yet?” perfectly depicts the unorganized thoughts we sometimes get. If anything, it’s the best way to describe how unpredictable life gets in adulthood.
“Taste Back”
Emma
Arguably, my favorite song on this album, “Taste Back,” pulls me into a feeling of nostalgia. In this song, Styles reflects on what we assume is a lost love or friendship as he runs into someone from his past. It gives total The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes as Styles repeats the chorus, “Must be lonely out in Paris if you talk like that / It was tough with the time, but you called me back / And you know that you can tell me, I can take that / Did you get your taste back? / Or do you just need a little love?”
The longing continues through verse two as he points out the new differences and changes the subject has gone through to become the person they are now, as Styles sings, “Talk in tongues, no common sense / Likе two old friends.” In this verse, he establishes that the connection between them remains, speaking like old friends but with so much left unsaid.
I think this song is so powerful and truly deserves all the credit in the world. Styles created an anthem here, expressing often confusing feelings we all have in our 20s and 30s of love, loss, and growing up. Not only did Styles create a banger that will be listened to for many, many decades to come, but he took seemingly ineffable feelings and put them into an ambiguous situation that everyone can relate to in some form or fashion.
It is safe to say that this is also not the first time Styles has done this. Songs like “Matilda,” “Sign of the Times,” “Little Freak,” and even “Satellite” are some examples of Styles taking these very specific yet universal feelings and putting them into what is essentially poetry of the heart. “Taste Back” is a continuing testament to Styles’ emotionally intelligent songwriting and, overall, a testament to his growth and vulnerability as a person.
“The Waiting Game”
Jacqueline
This song brings me back to his “Fine Line” album, and as someone who misses that era of
Harry, safe to say I loved it! I always focus on lyrics, maybe because I am a writer, but it’s
one of my favorite aspects of music. Songs that make me contemplate, that make me want to
listen to the words over and over, songs like “The Waiting Game” give me just that. Let’s be real, growing up in this world is not the easiest thing right now. And sometimes it feels absolutely hopeless to just wait around and see progress in life – that’s what “The Waiting Game” is all about.
“Season 2 Weight Loss”
Emma
“Season 2 Weight Loss” expresses feelings of fear and uncertainty. According to Genius.com, Styles has described this song as the album’s “mission statement” as the song describes what it is like from his perspective of stepping back from music and coming back into the light as a new, arguably “better” version of himself. Verse two makes this clear, saying, “It’s kind of sad, but there’s something I know / Too many things for you to analyse / You’re steaming in, swinging with your eyes closed / Let light come in once in a while.”
The last line in verse two seems to be a nod to “Aperture” discussed earlier, confirming how this song connects to the album’s mission. It is clear from this song that Styles experienced a lot of fear in showing this new era of himself, with many of the lyrics sounding insecure but hopeful, as the beat and accompanying choir bring a level of cheerfulness that truly feels like light breaking through the clouds on a rainy day.
“Coming Up Roses”
Jacqueline
Possibly my favorite song off the album as of writing this review, though I’m always a sucker
for a love song. “Coming Up Roses” makes me want to dance romantically in the rain with the sun setting behind me. The intimacy of the song, the gentleness of the lyrics and rhythm, the meaning behind the phrase “coming up roses” – a situation developing in a positive direction – it all tugs my heartstrings. It definitely is the “kiss all the time” rather than the “disco” type of song on the album, which I think shows Harry’s variety in music styles and melodies.
“Pop”
Emma
Bringing the disco part back into the album, “Pop,” is certainly going to get you grooving to the beat. This infectious song sets the scene of being so caught up and addicted to something that you just have to let it go and “Pop!” The chorus emphasises going back to something or someone over and over again, regardless of whether it is good for you or not. The last half of the chorus states, “I pull and I pull at the thread / It’s making me pop (Pop) / I wanted to behave / But I know I’ll do it again / I know I’ll do it again, it’s making me pop (Pop).” The post-chorus beat, saying “I wanna take up all your time (Pop),” adds a funky vibe to the mix, making this an intoxicating, restless song with an electronic-disco rhythm.
“Dance No More”
Jacqueline
Now this is a disco song! “Dance No More” brings out the funky vibes that we know Harry
Styles for. In the interview with Zane Lowe, he says creating this song was the most fun he and his crew had in the studio. And you can feel this energy while you’re listening to it! This song
makes me want to stay up all night dancing, no shoes, and absolutely no care in the world. He gives his fans different stories and emotions that engrave each song into specific situations, memorializing his album in our brains as we correlate it to our own lives. That’s the beauty of Harry’s talent as an artist.
“Paint By Numbers”
Emma
“Paint By Numbers” truly represents everything Styles has experienced over his journey as an artist. It is such an incredibly brave song explaining how he’s often felt like “It’s a lifetime of learning to paint by numbers / And watching the colours run.”
33-year-old Styles has grown up under the watchful eyes of the whole world. After taking time for himself since the release of Harry’s House in 2022, Styles has returned with an appreciation for what he has overcome, realizing that the often hypocritical world will always view him and his work without empathy. When you break down the chorus, you can feel the raw emotion of what it must be like to pour your soul into your art only to be told you have to mould it into what the world wants. I have so much appreciation for the emotional exposure Styles has opened himself up to, not just in this song, but throughout the whole album.
“Carla’s Song”
Jacqueline
A reminder of how valuable music is to the soul, “Carla’s Song” ends Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally with a powerful note on just how impactful this medium of art is. It’s also one of my favorites from the album; to me, it’s a reminder that music will be a part of this world forever once it gets out there, and to allow it to be shared. This was the perfect song to end off KATTDO to memorialize the entire album after Harry’s long hiatus (and he knows about hiatuses…).
Conclusion
Emma
Jacqueline and I hope you enjoyed our analysis and overall love for the album. It truly is a no-skip work of art. Now, if you are like us, you might be bummed that seeing Harry Styles in concert this year is a little… well… let’s just say most of us would have to sell a kidney.
So, this seems like a good enough time to mention One Night in Manchester, a Netflix concert special featuring a special show to debut and celebrate the new album in Styles’ hometown of Manchester, England. It is a beautiful tribute to all the love Styles has put into the world with his music. Plus, it makes it harder to be mad at him for only performing in Madison Square Garden for his upcoming shows.
Styles stated in his interview with 102.7KIISFM that this album is to “[encourage] you to have these experiences.” It is a reminder to open our hearts to the light and love waiting for us, to get out of our comfort zone, push past social expectations, and just Kiss All the Time, and maybe Disco, Occasionally.
