by Harry Styles
Released May 20, 2022 via Columbia Records / Erskine
Reviewed May 30, 2022
Top tracks (based on community voting)
As It Was (69%), Music For A Sushi Restaurant (45%), Matilda (43%)
Harry Styles has spent over a decade in the public eye, navigating boy-band superstardom—as one-fifth of 1D—and subsequently squandering doubts over his ability to replicate that success on his own. Now half a decade removed from his self-titled debut and still just 28 years old, he sounds more comfortable than ever—at home, if you will. Styles’ debut saw the then-23-year-old singer-songwriter developing a rock-oriented sound, alongside an image shift from popstar to rockstar. Fine Line and its incorporation of vibrant sounds from funk, soul, and folk-rock mended any separation and cemented Styles’ clear-cut position as a popstar; but it also very clearly separated him from common preconceptions of what it means to be a “popstar.” Harry’s House continues this upward trajectory with his most eclectic, refined, and cohesive body of work yet. Finding his balance within the music is critical, and there are very few, if any, moments where there is a battle for your attention between the music and Styles himself. Harry’s House has consistently lively production that primarily draws upon dance-pop, funk, and indie pop—a burst of energy that marks truly great pop music. His songwriting has matured as well, seeming content and composed amidst narratives of heartbreak and regret as frequent as those of love and joy. But what impresses most is Styles’ willingness to surrender himself to the music and let it guide the listener through the record just as much as himself; it’s a lesson all great songwriters must learn, and Harry’s House is a monumental step in the right direction. – Dominick (8.5/10)
For someone who released a good solo album and seemed to hit his stride with Fine Line, Harry Styles’ latest album, Harry’s House, seems like a step back rather than a sign of artistic growth. As a matter of fact, this may be proof that the more rock-oriented sound he used in his first two albums is what works best for him. He goes for a more laid-back direction, but unfortunately, a lot of songs (most notably the slower ones) don’t bring as much to the table when it comes to substance. That, combined with a lack of risks and less-than-stellar lyrics, means most of the tracklist is too uninteresting to really command the listener’s attention. It’s no coincidence that the best songs on the album are usually the ones with the most energy; there’s just not enough of them. We know Harry Styles has the potential to make a great album, he’s a creative musician with a gorgeous voice, but Harry’s House doesn’t seem to crack the shell just yet. – Alan (6.8/10)
Dominick: 8.5/10 | Pax: 8.1/10 | Henny: 7.8/10 | Victoria: 7.8/10
Cam: 7/10 | Jacques: 7/10 | Pablo: 7/10 | Alan: 6.8/10
Ben (Synth): 6/10 | Peter: 6/10 | Jared: 3/10
Community Reviews:
I thought this album was going to be in the same line as the last two, with a little bit of pop-rock, but I find this one so soft and more personal. I’ve been obsessed with it since the moment it came out. In this one we can have a peek of Harry’s more personal life. – @carmen_molina16 (10/10)
At the end of the day, Harry's House is an uninspired effort, haphazard with genres that Styles simply cannot juggle without sounding like a beginner indie pop boy with a solid voice who was given an hour in a professional studio. Every artist that influenced this album is worth your time much more than the vapid, background music kinda effort that Harry's House inevitably becomes. – @simonprek (3.4/10)
