On May 12th Harry Styles released his first solo album. For those of us who loved One Direction throughout the years this was a very exciting occasion. We've gotten solo singles from all the remaining members and an album from former member Zayn Malik. Harry's album was highly anticipated by fans and the world and we were all amazed once it came out. Harry offers a soft rock sound with this new album and preforms and carries himself like a true rockstar according to Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone. Over the years fans have seen Harry grow from a teen in a boy band into a young man who isn't afraid to make a statement. Harry has always impressed everyone with his stunning vocals and this album certainly showcases that.
Reviews for Harry's album have been nothing but positive and as a hardcore One Direction fan myself, it's nice to see this, as One Direction has been criticized in the past just for being One Direction. Harry has been praised for giving the world a fresh "former boy band member" solo debut album. Each song on the album offers a story and doesn't lack in being lyrically astounding. All the songs have a link on the album, and many fans have noticed that. The songs play off of each other in a way in which similar themes are recognized in multiple songs. The album sound overall shocks people who don't know Harry all that well (and when I say that I mean people who were not a fan of him before his solo work). The album draws a lot of older rock/soft rock influences. In the Apple Music documentary that goes behind the making of Harry's album, Harry describes how he grew up listening to the Beatles. The influence of old rock is unquestionable and unexpected to those who were expecting an R&B album.
The album starts out with Meet Me in the Hallway and from there on fans are taken on a journey. Meet Me in the Hallway gives the vibe of longing for lover who is already gone. The song talks about hoping things will work out and get better. The second song in the track list is Sign of the Times, which is the single Harry debuted with. The meaning of the songs lyrics are up to interpretation, Styles has said it is about a mother who dies while giving birth and others say it is about the end of the world. Then comes Carolina. The song gives off a very 70's sound. The lyrics tell a story about a girl, presumably in the West Coast, who is just an all around a 'good girl' as Harry states many times throughout the song. Two Ghosts comes after that. The lyrics can be interpreted as two people who were possibly romantically involved looking at who they used to be. Sweet Creature ends the first half of the album. The song is very romantic and talks about just being in love and its trials and tribulations. Only Angel, which has a very oldie feel to it, starts out the second half of the album. Many have interrupted the song as being about a girl who is hard to stop thinking about. Next comes Kiwi (my 2nd favorite song on the album). The meaning of these lyrics have been debated by fans, as the lyrics are wild. With talk of having babies and cheap cigarettes the fans, including myself, were not expecting it. Ever Since New York offers a softer sound after Kiwi. The lyrics indicate a strain in a near broken relationship. Harry writes about talking to walls, which is an anecdote to talking to someone who isn't listening. Typical tabloids speculated that this song was about Taylor Swift, in my honest opinion I don't think it is. Woman (my favorite song off this album) comes next. In this particular song Harry talks about being jealous of an ex, and not wanting to picture that ex with anybody else. The album ends with From the Dining Room. The story of a lonely ex is depicted. Harry heavily personifies his phone by saying it is also lonely from receiving no calls from said ex. The song wraps up the whole with showing the same theme as the first. It gives a good sense of closure to album, even though you know that you're going to have on repeat for months.
This album has been so heavily anticipated and did just as well as many thought it would. The lyrics are mature and gives Harry more of a reputation. He is no longer that one guy from One Direction, he has established himself as an artist and is getting the respect that he deserves. People who constantly criticized One Direction are now praising the solo work that these boys have released. Harry was a powerhouse in One Direction, but he is even more of a powerhouse with his solo work. I personally cannot wait to see what he releases in the future. Harry has done a lot of work on this album and he is preforming a lot of these songs live while doing press work, unlike a lot of artists who just preform their singles while doing press work. Harry is finally getting the praise that he deserves and as a long time fan it is amazing to see him in his true element.
