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Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
@jeremydwilliams
7:09 AM 23rd May 2022
arts

Album Review: Harry Styles: Harry's House

 
Harry Styles: Harry's House
Music for a Sushi Restaurant; Late Night Talking; Grapejuice; As It Was; Daylight; Little Freak; Matilda; Cinema; Daydreaming; Keep Driving; Satellite; Boyfriends; Love of My Life'

Columbia - B09WVYGXFW


Harry Styles has always been something of a phenomenon. As a member of third placing X Factor contestants, One Direction, he and his band mates proved that winning a television talent show is not the key ingredient in commercial success. With over 70 million records sold as a group that lasted just 6 years, the One Direction boys all have a lot to be proud of.

However, as with all good bands before them, the pattern of one key solo success has been emulated. After debuting in 2017 with his self-titled album, which peaked at #1 and sold to Platinum status in the UK, his solo acclaim was further sealed with the release of the #2 charting Fine Line just two years later. While is may not have hit the #1 spot, it achieved Double Platinum status and ensured that Styles was the hype artist of 2019. Now three years later he delivers his third studio album, Harry's House.

While there have been other boyband stars whose solo success has lead to far higher record sales, the critical acclaim that Styles' first two releases achieved was somewhat unprecedented. With Joni Mitchell joining the fanclub in the build up to the release of his third album, it is clear that the jump from boy band icon to celebrated muso has been completed. But what of the album itself? Having released two stunning solo albums, can he make it a hat-trick?

Harry's House is a very different record to both Harry Styles and Fine Line. Mellower and more contented, Harry's House is not your typical post-Covid release. While it is more reflective and introspective than his prior releases, which is aligned with many post-Covid releases, this is an album that sees a less troubled individual openly celebrating falling in love and living happily in that moment.

Lead single, As It Was, while a subdued bop, is somewhat misleading in terms of the album. Easily the most troubled lyrically, it shows Styles at the start of a journey that leads towards the revelation of falling in love - Cinema - through to the the blissful close of Love Of My Life.

However, it is in the journey that the album shines the most. From the tantalising dance drive of opener Music For A Sushi Restaurant through to the divine Daylight and playful Little Freak - Styles delivers time and again.

Harry's House may be a very different record to his two previous, it showcases an artist willing to change as he matures and unafraid to share his true self with his audience. A stunning return from one of the world's leading artists.