{"id":5319,"date":"2026-04-08T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/?p=5319"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:31:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:31:53","slug":"its-harry-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/2026\/04\/08\/its-harry-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s Harry, Baby!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By Jacqueline Ayala, Editor, and Emma G. Harrison, Editor-in-Chief <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jacqueline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Four years after the release of <em>Harry\u2019s House<\/em> in May of 2022, Harry Styles has now released his highly anticipated fourth studio album, <em>Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally<\/em> on March 6, 2026. He shifts music style from the R&amp;B influences in <em>Harry\u2019s House<\/em> 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hsalbumreview-1200x803.png\" alt=\"Harry Styles \u201cAperture\u201d Visuals\" class=\"wp-image-5515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hsalbumreview-1200x803.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hsalbumreview-500x334.png 500w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hsalbumreview-768x514.png 768w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hsalbumreview-1536x1027.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hsalbumreview.png 1552w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harry Styles \u201cAperture\u201d Visuals | Harry Styles<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cAperture\u201d&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting the album off strong, Styles literally and lyrically lets the light in. Released on January 22, 2026, as the lead single for <em>Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally <\/em>(or KATTDO as fans lovingly refer),<em> <\/em>\u201cAperture\u201d instantly took control of the charts, landing at number one in the <em>Billboard <\/em>Hot 100 within the first two weeks of streaming \u2013 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAperture\u201d is the gateway into an album full of Styles&#8217; innermost self-reflection. He opened up in an interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Wz4D4zW_IQk\">102.7KIISFM<\/a> 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, \u201cYou control how much light you let into your life.\u201d 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAperture\u201d echoes everything Styles has been learning about himself over the past four years of taking a break from music. The lyrics repeat, \u201cI won\u2019t stray from it, I don\u2019t know these spaces \/ Time won\u2019t wait on me, I wanna know what safe is.\u201d Styles later commented on the meaning behind his powerful choice of words, \u201cEveryone wants to feel safe\u2026all the things that sound so simple, but I think when you are closed off in certain ways, then it&#8217;s hard to feel known, therefore harder to feel accepted, therefore harder to feel safe\u2026I 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.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s emotions in such an impactful way is what has made \u201cAperture\u201d this much of a hit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cAmerican Girls\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jacqueline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An ode to 5 Seconds of Summer\u2019s \u201cEnglish Love Affair\u201d perhaps? If you were a fan of One Direction at the time \u201cEnglish Love Affair\u201d was released, then you know exactly what I\u2019m 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, <em>Harry Styles<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAmerican Girls\u201d reflects on the people in Harry\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cReady, Steady, Go!\u201d&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If disco occasionally is what we are encouraged to do, well, \u201cReady, Steady, Go!\u201d certainly will have you disco-ing more than just occasionally. I still don&#8217;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 \u201cReady, Steady, Go!\u201d achieves, making it perfect for late-night dance parties or chilling by the pool; perfect for all your good vibe summer needs!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cAre You Listening Yet?\u201d&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jacqueline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s Harry\u2019s speciality to give the most upbeat song the deepest lyrics he could possibly have.\u00a0\u201cAre You Listening Yet?\u201d is a high-paced and well-lyricized song that tricks your mind not to\u00a0fully understand the lyrics until the song is already over (hence the title), as he sings, \u201cNow you&#8217;re all out of\u00a0choices, are you listening yet? \/ Between your head and heart and somewhere else instead.\u201d Our mind can be the most chaotic place for us to be, and \u201cAre You Listening Yet?\u201d perfectly\u00a0depicts the unorganized thoughts we sometimes get. If anything, it\u2019s the best way to describe\u00a0how unpredictable life gets in adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cTaste Back\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arguably, my favorite song on this album, \u201cTaste Back,\u201d 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 <em>The Summer I Turned Pretty<\/em> vibes as Styles repeats the chorus, \u201cMust 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?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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, \u201cTalk in tongues, no common sense \/ Lik\u0435 two old friends.\u201d In this verse, he establishes that the connection between them remains, speaking like old friends but with so much left unsaid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is safe to say that this is also not the first time Styles has done this. Songs like \u201cMatilda,\u201d \u201cSign of the Times,\u201d \u201cLittle Freak,\u201d and even \u201cSatellite\u201d are some examples of Styles taking these very specific yet universal feelings and putting them into what is essentially poetry of the heart. \u201cTaste Back\u201d is a continuing testament to Styles&#8217; emotionally intelligent songwriting and, overall, a testament to his growth and vulnerability as a person.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cThe Waiting Game\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jacqueline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This song brings me back to his \u201cFine Line\u201d album, and as someone who misses that era of&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Harry, safe to say I loved it! I always focus on lyrics, maybe because I am a writer, but it\u2019s&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>one of my favorite aspects of music. Songs that make me contemplate, that make me want to&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>listen to the words over and over, songs like \u201cThe Waiting Game\u201d give me just that. Let\u2019s 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 \u2013 that\u2019s what \u201cThe Waiting Game\u201d is all about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1184\" height=\"1184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW2.png\" alt=\"\u201cKiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally\u201d Album Cover\" class=\"wp-image-5514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW2.png 1184w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW2-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW2-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1184px) 100vw, 1184px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cKiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally\u201d Album Cover | Harry Styles<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;\u201cSeason 2 Weight Loss\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSeason 2 Weight Loss\u201d expresses feelings of fear and uncertainty. According to Genius.com, Styles has described this song as the album&#8217;s \u201cmission statement\u201d 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 \u201cbetter\u201d version of himself. Verse two makes this clear, saying, \u201cIt&#8217;s kind of sad, but there&#8217;s something I know \/ Too many things for you to analyse \/ You&#8217;re steaming in, swinging with your eyes closed \/ Let light come in once in a while.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last line in verse two seems to be a nod to \u201cAperture\u201d discussed earlier, confirming how this song connects to the album&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cComing Up Roses\u201d&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jacqueline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Possibly my favorite song off the album as of writing this review, though I\u2019m always a sucker&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>for a love song. \u201cComing Up Roses\u201d 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 \u201ccoming up roses\u201d \u2013 a situation developing in a positive direction \u2013 it all tugs my heartstrings. It definitely is the \u201ckiss all the time\u201d rather than the \u201cdisco\u201d type of song on the album, which I think shows Harry\u2019s variety in music styles and melodies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cPop\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bringing the disco part back into the album, \u201cPop,\u201d 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 \u201cPop!\u201d 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, \u201cI pull and I pull at the thread \/ It&#8217;s making me pop (<em>Pop<\/em>) \/ I wanted to behave \/ But I know I&#8217;ll do it again \/ I know I&#8217;ll do it again, it&#8217;s making me pop (<em>Pop<\/em>).\u201d The post-chorus beat, saying \u201cI wanna take up all your time (<em>Pop<\/em>),\u201d adds a funky vibe to the mix, making this an intoxicating, restless song with an electronic-disco rhythm.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMreview3_50.png\" alt=\"Harry Styles at the 2026 Brits\" class=\"wp-image-5516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMreview3_50.png 716w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMreview3_50-500x341.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harry Styles at the 2026 Brits | Harry Styles<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cDance No More\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jacqueline&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now this is a disco song! \u201cDance No More\u201d brings out the funky vibes that we know Harry&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019re listening to it! This song&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp; That\u2019s the beauty of Harry\u2019s talent as an artist.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cPaint By Numbers\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPaint By Numbers\u201d truly represents everything Styles has experienced over his journey as an artist. It is such an incredibly brave song explaining how he\u2019s often felt like \u201cIt&#8217;s a lifetime of learning to paint by numbers \/ And watching the colours run.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>33-year-old Styles has grown up under the watchful eyes of the whole world. After taking time for himself since the release of <em>Harry\u2019s House<\/em> 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cCarla\u2019s Song\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jacqueline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A reminder of how valuable music is to the soul, \u201cCarla\u2019s Song\u201d ends <em>Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally<\/em> with a powerful note on just how impactful this medium of art is. It\u2019s also one of my favorites from the album; to me, it\u2019s 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 <em>KATTDO<\/em> to memorialize the entire album after Harry\u2019s long hiatus (and he knows about hiatuses\u2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW4_50.png\" alt=\"Harry Styles in \u201cOne Night in Manchester\u201d\" class=\"wp-image-5517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW4_50.png 740w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HSALBUMREVIEW4_50-500x347.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harry Styles in \u201cOne Night in Manchester\u201d | Harry Styles<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2026 well\u2026 let&#8217;s just say most of us would have to sell a kidney.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, this seems like a good enough time to mention <em>One Night in Manchester<\/em>, a Netflix concert special featuring a special show to debut and celebrate the new album in Styles&#8217; 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Styles stated in his interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Wz4D4zW_IQk\">102.7KIISFM<\/a> that this album is to \u201c[encourage] you to have these experiences.\u201d 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 <em>Kiss All the Time<\/em>, and maybe <em>Disco, Occasionally<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Jacqueline Ayala, Editor, and Emma G. Harrison, Editor-in-Chief Introduction Jacqueline Four years after the release of Harry\u2019s House in May of 2022, Harry Styles has now released his highly&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5516,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-5319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5319"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5562,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5319\/revisions\/5562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5319"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=5319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}