Happy Monday (Wednesday) Everyone!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day and celebrated with all the influential and powerful women in your lives (whether they be blood or not)!
Which speaking of powerful and influential.. this segways us into today’s topic: Harry Styles and his masterpiece of an album *insert heart eyes here*
For those of you maybe living under a rock (or refusing to pay attention because he started as a boy band sensation), Harry Styles released his first self-titled solo album on Friday, May 12th and it’s been basically all over my radar ever since.
So of course it’s only fitting to take you all on my emotional and mental journey as I listen to the album. Let’s just take it track by track and I’ll be giving my (not so expert) opinion on them all!
Meet Me in the Hallway
Okay so like I get this weird lamenting vibe (count how many times I say ‘vibe’ in this blog post) from this song? But in the best way possible!
I’m picturing a hopeful and somewhat heartbroken Harry sliding down a hotel hallway wall, resting his head back just waiting for the girl he’s pining after to call him back, but it never happens. Now isn’t that the most relatable image you’ve ever pictured in your entire life? Also maybe a little dramatic and probably straight from a scene in a movie, but that’s irrelevant right?
To me, I think this was a great way to start off the album! It was subdued but really good and kept me wanting more. Take a listen and find out for yourself (:
Sign of the Times
Okay, do I really need to even say anything about this one? It’s a total tune and my morning anthem. It came out at the perfect time, what with all the stress of the final weeks of school and I don’t think there could have been a better way to enter his solo career.
But also can we all just talk about him singing it live for the first time on SNL? I literally wanted to hug him by the end of his performance. He’s such a softie and as a die-hard One Direction fan I know he could have done better. Heck, he knew it too, and that’s why it seemed to have affected him so much.
But in more recent news, he’s sang the song live multiple more times and it’s been spot on.. I mean those note changes? I LIVE for them.
Carolina
Ughhhh (or should I say ‘Oh Yeah’), mark this one with like my top 3 from the album. It’s so seductive to me and I know Harry knew what he was doing when he wrote it. He’s basically belting out an upbeat vintage tune about a girl he met once and fell in love with.
Okay maybe that’s an exaggeration but can I volunteer myself to be this girl?? Because I will in -0.04 seconds.
I just love the way that he has this casual-ness as he sings the verses and then he gets more intense and rock and roll in the choruses. Amazing. I highly recommend this one, you’ll be lalalalalala-ing in your sleep.
Two Ghosts
Allegedly about T-Swizzle? I believe it. I mean the first lyrics you hear are literally about a girl who has the same red lips and the same blue eyes (or something like that) and a boy who has the same white shirt and the same tattoos. The resemblance that might pop up into your head is uncanny, right? Need I say more? No.
Basically this song is about having feelings for someone and it just isn’t meant to be.
Which totally sucks, am I right?
I mean we’ve all been there and sometimes it’s frustrating because no matter how much you try or think it will work, one or the both of you has changed and the ‘once something special’ thing you had is now shifted (and most likely gone).
Isn’t it fabulous when an artist creates something so relatable and human? Yes, yes it is.
So anyways, I like that this song has a mellow vibe to it and then when it picks up in the chorus Harry’s voice takes me on a metaphorical roller coaster. It’s just so raw and simple.
If you are the type that likes some guitar and clean vocals, you’ll dig this one. But then again, you’ll probably dig most of these (if not all). Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking because ‘we’re just trying to remember how it feels to have a heartbeat’ (:
Sweet Creature
Ahh, another mellow one. For some reason the first time I heard this song, I totally got Mumford and Sons vibes when in actuality there is probably no connection between the two artists.
Regardless, this is another favorite. I find it’s a little repetitive (but a lot of these songs are if I’m being honest) but when it gets into the chorus, I can’t help but want to sing along. Especially when H starts singing about being stubborn because honestly, THAT should be my middle name some days.
Really another wonderful song. Listen to it if you’re having a rough day, it’s a sweet song that has an uplifting twist, and really resonates.
Only Angel
Okay so now we’re starting to pick things up again.
This song starts out with some Sign of the Times trickery and then about a minute in, it hits you with some upbeat rock and roll vibes again. Ugh, yes. THIS is what I want.
I think this song has a little bit of a ‘bad boy’ feeling to me. Like maybe I could picture Harry stomping around in a music video wearing a leather jacket or something serenading a girl wearing white who is like a ‘devil in disguise’ kind of thing. Anyone else feel the same way? Just me? Probably.
Kiwi
Oh boy is this one my favorite? Or is this one my favorite? Because if you guessed that it’s my favorite, *ding, ding, ding* you are correct!
This one is 100% ‘bad boy vibes’ and I could not be more into it.
I remember when the titles of the songs came out for this album and I literally rolled my eyes because Harry is the only artist I can think of who would be weird enough to release a song called ‘Kiwi’ and of course it ends up being one of the best on the list.
The song starts off really strong from the start, and it’s sprinkled with iconic lyrics including ‘coming home to a cactus’ (my personal fav) and really heavy guitar. Ugh, it’s just so good. And I totally want to jump up and down with like 80’s hair at a concert when I listen to it, I just feel so cool (which does not happen often so take my advice and listen to this one for a pick me up you don’t have to really think about)!
Ever Since New York
Alright so he starts to cool it back down with this one. It’s still upbeat enough not to be considered a “slow” song in my book, but I feel very melancholy when I listen to it for some reason.
It’s definitely another raw song on the album; however, for some reason this is the only song that kind of doesn’t do it for me.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song and I would for sure pick to listen to it but I don’t think it’s the strongest one on the album and the repetition in this one is a little too much.
But the harmonies I’m hearing in the choruses as they go on? Beautiful.
Woman
Another seductive one? Basically what I get from this one is ‘LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa’. You probably will too honestly. Listen and find out for yourself!
From the Dining Table
Okay this one makes me so SAD. I really don’t know if this was written on personal experience or if it was written as a portrayal of how fame looks on the outside vs. how it really is: borderline lonely.
Regardless, I consider Harry a delicate flower and I have to admit I had a total protective moment when I first heard this song. But also, it’s a truly amazing song. The lyrics in this one are the most raw and telling in addition to being relatable on some level for I’m sure a lot of people.
The slow slur of his voice backed with the dream like instrumentals really had me feeling some type of way, and I LOVED it. I’m so proud that he could write a song that would evoke such a strong emotion and I hope it does the same for thousands of others because isn’t that the whole point of being an artist? Being able to make people feel something. Incredible.
Okay, so..
The gist of this album? I would do ANYTHING to have a song written about me by Harry Styles. But more importantly? It’s a true testament to what Harry can really do. Now don’t get me wrong, as a die-hard One Direction fan, I already knew what he (and all the other boys) could do, I’m just so happy and proud that they are proving to people (who didn’t give them the chance before) that they are so much more than anyone could have imagined coming from a borderline bubblegum pop band.
I also think it’s really powerful that after being funneled into a certain path, there are artists that can continue on in a positive way and do what they love exactly how they want to do it. I think that’s ultimately why I felt so fulfilled after listening to the complete album and literally had a total proud mom moment by the end of it.
I really encourage everyone to take a listen and just to keep a totally open mind while doing so. I truly believe you will all be pleasantly surprised and maybe you’ll even thank me (likely thinking but a girl can dream, right?)! I’ll even leave a link to where you can find the album, so play/stream away (:
But until next time..
xx.Britani Skye
manhattanskye.wordpress.com 
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