Harry Styles has officially made a comeback in the music industry with the release of his fourth studio album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” Styles initially skyrocketed to success with his role as the lead singer of the chart-topping boy band, One Direction. Despite the band’s split in 2015, the English singer held onto his fame as a solo artist by releasing his self-titled debut album in 2017.
Known for hit singles like “Watermelon Sugar” in 2019 and “As It Was” in 2022, Styles evolved into an iconic pop superstar over the years. The spontaneous announcement of “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally,” shocked Styles’ fanbase after he went on a media hiatus for nearly three years, shortly after his global tour, “Love on Tour,” ended in July 2023.
It’s clear that nightlife and club culture had an overwhelming influence on Styles in the production of this album. The feeling of euphoria that comes with dancing in a room full of people with music blasting is especially evident in songs like “Are You Listening Yet?” and “Aperture.” Below is The Black & White’s ranking of every song on “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally” from worst to best.
- Dance No More (5/10)
“Dance No More” is a call-and-response number, making it a unique track off the album. The spiraling beat descends as Styles appears to enter a delirium while out on the dancefloor, singing about how there’s “no difference in between the tears and the sweat.” The tempo builds and repeated vocal chants hit harder towards the end of the song, creating an uncontrollable bridge with sloppy production.
Best lyric: “It’s feeling like the music has been Heaven-sent.”
- Season 2 Weight Loss (5.5/10)
Styles layers his vocals with an ambitious production of electric keyboards and resonant drums. He delivered “Season 2 Weight Loss” with less prominent vocals, diminishing the song’s overall sound. In an interview with Apple Music, Styles discussed how the song captures the feeling of watching a show for the first time and falling in love with the normalcy of the characters and plot, only to see them become glamorous and tarnished by fame in season two. “Season 2 Weight Loss” sits in the middle of the album, blending in with the rest of the tracks, specifically with Styles’ vocals being as minimal as they are.
Best lyric: “You’re steaming in, swinging with your eyes closed / Let light come in once in a while.”
- Ready, Steady, Go! (6/10)
The funky, electric beat in “Ready, Steady, Go!” resembles other tracks on the album, featuring Styles’ striking vocals and pulsing instrumentation. In the bridge and the outro, Style repeats the phrase, “ready, steady, go,” giving the song a surface-level feel with its lack of hard-hitting lyrics. The tension in the fast-paced beat increases as the song progresses, but “Ready, Steady, Go!” is arguably forgettable compared to the distinctive sound of the rest of the album.
Best lyric: “You touched me goodnight / Butterflied both our bellies.”
- Carla’s Song (6.5/10)
Unlike Styles’ flawless choice for the opening track, “Carla’s Song” ends the album on a more unconventional note but a strong one, nonetheless. Its cinematic production layers a handful of instruments, such as rippling piano, heavy pop synths and Styles’ sharp vocal range. The song is bound to be played at full volume in a sold-out stadium, with its upbeat sound. “Carla’s Song” acts less like an official end to the album and more like an open-ended invitation.
Best lyric: “I know what you like, I don’t have to read your mind.”
- Pop (7/10)
It wouldn’t be a perfectly crafted Styles album without a flirtatious track, and “Pop” fits the bill. It’s retro, playful and full of lust woven within the lyrics. “Pop” does something many of the other songs fall short of — it seamlessly blends Styles’ vocals and heavy instrumentals without sounding off-key. It’s catchy and reinforces the album’s theme of togetherness as Styles sings about the chaotic relationship he’s landed himself in. While there’s nothing outwardly wrong with “Pop,” it’s more eclectic than what Styles is known for.
Best lyric: “I wanted to behave / But I know I’ll do it again.”
- Coming Up Roses (7.5/10)
“Coming Up Roses” is a track that puts Styles’ vocals front and center, emotionally powerful in its message about the fear that comes with intimacy. The sweeping orchestra heightens the song’s intimate feel, intensifying its production and making it a bittersweet yet brilliant track. Styles sings about his persistent anxiety as the relationship grows more serious, afraid that one day they’ll inevitably hurt each other due to their individual desires. The string-assisted bridge settles into a passionate chorus, one that’s exceptionally different from the rest of the album.
Best lyric: “If we stay the course, we could get it right / But I’m not devoid of an appetite.”
- Aperture (8/10)
Serving as the lead single for “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally,” “Aperture” is a hard-hitting, energetic track that marked Styles’ comeback to the music industry. The song presents a club-esque sound that starkly contrasts with the rest of Styles’ previous work, mixing a lively bass with an electric synth that glitches at different points in the song. Styles’ somewhat timid vocals build throughout the chorus as he repeats “we belong together,” creating an effect that parallels the background dance music. “Aperture” came with an accompanying video featuring Styles running around a hotel, late at night, followed by a mysterious stranger. As the two fight, they perform synchronized choreography that emphasizes two people with very different aesthetics who belong together. “Aperture” emphasizes Styles’ creativity and experimentation with a new sound, creating a catchy yet somewhat repetitive track.
Best lyric: “Time won’t wait on me / I won’t stray from it.”
- The Waiting Game (8/10)
Styles continues the theme of emotional complexity in “The Waiting Game” as he sings about romanticizing failure for the sake of art. Styles reflects on the ways people justify questionable decisions in the name of romance, framing the experience as a tug-of-war between desire and awareness. The song feels more personal compared to the rest of the album, with its calm synths and acoustic guitar. The tempo drop in “The Waiting Game” effectively connects the listeners with Styles’ wilting self-reflection and comforting vocals.
Best lyric: “Do you tantalise or titillate / Knowing it won’t make the grade?”
- Paint by Numbers (8.5/10)
“Paint by Numbers” shifts the mood and creates a much slower ballad. The production is stripped down to highlight Styles’ vocals as he sings about the push-and-pull of fame and his uncertainty around whether fame is worth giving up a quiet lifestyle, making “Paint by Numbers” one of the most vulnerable songs off the album. The song is ironic in the sense that it shows Styles’ real, calmer self, as he sings about how much of his fanbase can no longer see him as human, but rather a means of entertainment. The delicate trumpet, mixed with the acoustic guitar, adds to the song’s emotional weight and showcases Styles’ struggles.
Best lyric: “It’s a lifetime of pickin’ from one or the other.”
- Are You Listening Yet? (9/10)
“Are You Listening Yet?” is frantic and guitar-heavy in the best way possible. Styles essentially speaks the verses, layering his vocals with a striking, intoxicating guitar beat. In an interview with Apple Music, Styles explained he wrote “Are You Listening Yet?” while on tour, and it’s clear through the lyrics about feeling burnt-out but having to prioritize mental health to keep performing. Similar to “Ready, Steady, Go,” “Are You Listening Yet?” hammers the message over and over, working seamlessly with the pulsating beat that builds throughout the song, bringing the energy in the chorus and creating a dynamic track made for the club.
Best lyric: “This world is screaming, so you start to scream right back / This unpredictable fun is fun if you know how.”
- American Girls (9.5/10)
“American Girls” is a notable choice from Styles as the second track, warming up listeners for what’s to come. It sets the tone for the rest of the album, with a mix of upbeat, classic pop synths and a newer, electric beat that makes it catchy, energetic and perfect for dancing in the club. What makes the song even more unique is that despite its lively production, the lyrics make the song quite a lonely one. Styles sings about watching his friends settle down with “American girls,” ultimately making him question the future and his view on marriage, about if it’s worth the time or not.
Best lyric: “I’ve seen it in stages all over the world / My friends are in love with American girls.”
- Taste Back (10/10)
“Taste Back” is a much-needed break from the more jolting sounds in previous tracks, bringing back some of the classic Styles yearning present in much of his discography. As Styles sings about how sometimes you “just need a little love,” he wants to know if someone is reconciling with him because they now understand what they lost, or if they’re returning out of familiarity. An electric guitar and bubbly synth complement Styles’ smooth vocals, along with the mellow background vocals from Ellie Rowsell.
Best lyric: “Always been a consequence when you call me baby.”
It’s safe to say Harry Styles is officially back following the release of “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally” and its combination of traditional pop and newer, more electric beats. Styles stepped out of his comfort zone with tracks like “Are You Listening Yet?” while also staying true to what he’s best at — toying with his listeners’ emotions through tracks like “Paint by Numbers.” Styles continues his pop star legacy with “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally” and its themes of love, fear and experimentation.
