Review | ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.’ is a breath of fresh air

“Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” is the vivacious fourth studio album from Harry Styles. Returning from a nearly four-year musical hiatus, Styles is back with a dynamic, disco-inspired album. The 12-track release features a majority of alternative pop songs, with a few slower ballads sprinkled in. 

The album highlights Styles’ familiar lyrical intensity and forays into eclecticism. His music has always leaned towards pop, but with a fresh and exciting take. Styles seems to have found the perfect balance of catchy beats and impactful lyrics. I am a huge fan of the new album, and it’s certainly my favorite of his pop releases. 

The only single on the album is titled “Aperture,” an existential synth-pop work. The first time I listened to this song, I was extremely underwhelmed. The mellow nature of the song initially left me wanting a bigger, more intense sound. As I played the track more, it really grew on me. The song’s choppy, electronic production and toned-down vocals are satisfying, just not in the way I expected from a pop single. 

“Are You Listening Yet?” sounds like the lovechild of The Talking Heads and The Lumineers. The almost staccato-spoken verses remind me of 70s and 80s techno pop. The beat itself seems to be made up of humming, clapping and rhythmic tapping, as heard in the first few seconds of the song. The chorus adopts a stomp-and-holler style beat as Styles calls to the audience, “Now you’re all out of choices / are you listening yet?”

One of the most thematically superficial songs on the album is “American Girls.” This is the most classically-pop song on the album. Relying on a catchy beat and repetitive lyrics, this song is an earworm — “I’ve seen it in stages all over the world / My friends are in love with American girls.” In a similar vein, “Pop” sticks to a common topic of pop music, discussing his relationship with a romantic interest — “I don’t know how it’ll end / This could go anywhere / I pull and I pull at the thread / It’s making me pop.” 

“Ready, Steady, Go!” is one of my favorite songs on the album. It features a thumping beat and what sounds like a baby cooing in the beginning. Styles’ voice is breathy and delicate at times, but intense and coarse at others. This juxtaposition creates a wonderfully dynamic listening experience. 

“Taste Back” is an introspective song in classic-Styles form. Keeping on the disco theme of the album, the snarky lyrics are paired with a fast-paced techno beat — “Did you get your taste back? / Or do you just need a little love?” Styles questions the intentions of an old lover calling their way back into his life. “Taste Back” is an example of Styles’ musical evolution through his career — sticking to his lyrical roots while developing a new production style. 

“The Waiting Game,” “Coming Up Roses,” “Paint By Numbers” and “Carla’s Song” are some of the slower, lighter songs on the album. Even then, they all feature a sparkling electronic base. While “The Waiting Game” and “Paint By Numbers” are more solemn songs, “Coming Up Roses” and “Carla’s Song” are aspirational. “Carla’s Song” features layered vocals and profound lyrics — “It’s all waiting there for you.” The sadder of the slow songs deal with struggles with identity. “The Waiting Game” talks directly to a battle with oneself — “You can romanticise your shortcomings / Ignore your agency to stop.” Styles’ delicate voice and intimate messages blend together to create blissfully touching songs. 

“Season 2 Weight Loss” is an array of questions from Styles. His electronic, muffled vocals disguise introspective, somewhat self-critical lyrics in a catchy, vigorous song. Styles seems to be referencing his break from the limelight and his developing relationship with musical creation and artistry. 

“Dance No More” is my favorite track on the new album. It borrows from the disco era in more than just its synthesizer-based tune. The song is strictly about music and dancing, which is a refreshing break from his often emotionally-taxing, though beautiful, discography. Deliciously simple in its lyricism, Styles shouts through the chorus, “‘DJs don’t dance no more’ they said.” … We wanna dance with all our friends.”

“Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” is full of carefully crafted lyricism and retro-chic techno production. It is easily some of the most original, tasteful pop music released in recent years.