Harry’s House. Whether you are a pop, rock, indie, or heavy metal music fan, you have likely heard of this newly released album from a friend, on social media, or on the radio. Harry’s House is Harry Styles’ third solo album, following his record-breaking Harry Styles and Fine Line. If you haven’t heard of Harry Styles, you have probably been living under a rock for the past decade. Harry Styles, now-28-year-old English performer, was discovered at age 16 on the X-Factor, basically the Simon Cowell show. Harry teamed up with 4 other young and aspiring singers, and the band became known as One Direction. Despite losing the 2010 X-Factor, the band soon grew in popularity, attaining large commercial successes worldwide. While multiple articles could be written about One Direction alone, in the end, the band went their separate ways in late 2015. Harry released Harry Styles in 2017 and the rest is history.
His latest album, released on May 20th, includes 13 songs, ranging from ballads (“Boyfriends”) to upbeat summer music (“Music For a Sushi Restaurant”). While the album was initially supposed to be taken quite literally, as music that represented locations around Harry’s house, it soon morphed into a more loose interpretation of the album title. The songs are said to represent the music Harry would like to listen to in his own home. The album, therefore, provides fans and casual listeners with a more personal look into the artist’s daily life and tastes. As stated in Harry’s pre-released single “As It Was,” this new album differs from his prior music, “it’s not the same as it was.” But this is not a bad thing. Obviously, 5 years is going to change a person and their preferred music styles and tastes. If Harry’s House was identical to either Harry Styles or Fine Line, fans should have actually been worried. The fact that his music is continuing to evolve with him is a sign that his work is keeping authentic with himself.
Before I discuss a few of the songs off the album, here is a disclaimer: these opinions are only my own and should not be taken offensively. Everyone has different music tastes and opinions, so while some fans loved this album, others were not as impressed. I can only report my review (not devoid of criticism) of select pieces from Harry’s House, so please enjoy.
Late Night Talking
Now this will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I thought the studio version of “Late Night Talking” was a letdown from the live Coachella performance. Before the release of the album, Harry performed at the popular music festival, playing two of his unreleased songs: “Late Night Talking” and “Boyfriends.” The live version featured upbeat horns, numerous backup singers, and varied percussion. Along with the natural energy that comes from performing live, I really expected the studio version to be one of my favorites on the new album. Sadly, it has just not lived up to my expectations. The studio version features the same catchy tune and lyrics; however, the accompaniment is totally different. Instead of horns, a synthesized version is used, making the track sound dull and inauthentic. The incredible female backup vocals from the live performance are almost nonexistent, removing a great dimension from the track.
Don’t get me wrong. This song is still fine. It’s not my least favorite on the album. However, I don’t plan on listening to the studio version anytime soon.
Grapejuice
On this whole album, Harry experiments more with airy vocals and “Grapejuice” is no exception. This song is somewhat the representation of a hangover with its punchy baseline and clear reference to wine in the title and throughout the song with the phrase “give me something old and red” and “a bottle of rogue, just me and you.” The album does not shy away from the illness of substance addiction and abuse, with it being mentioned on “Boyfriends” and “As It Was.”
“Answer the phone ‘Harry, you’re no good alone. Why are you sitting at home on the floor? What kind of pills are you on?’” – “As It Was”
Also seen in “As It Was”, in “Grapejuice”, the theme of age and the passing of time is explored. Harry shares that he paid more for the wine bottle now than he did back then. I think he’s talking about more than rampant inflation here. As he gets older, the hangovers have greater consequences than when he was younger, making each drink “cost” him more.
Matilda
If you are in the need of a good cry, “Matilda” is your song. Harry shared in one interview that all of the people he showed this song ended up crying in its 4 minutes 6 seconds. What makes “Matilda”, a ballad mid-way through the album, so emotional? “Matilda” arguably has the best storytelling of any song on Harry’s House. It follows a friend of Harry’s who has faced issues with her family growing up and still feels the effects of that trauma into her adulthood. Matilda feels guilt for leaving them behind, but she also “feel[s] like a piece of [her’s] dead insidе” from her childhood experiences. This contrast highlights the duality of family trauma and its effects on an individual. Harry did share that Matilda was not based on personal experience but on someone else’s. In his words, the song is about supporting a friend going through a hard experience “but it’s not necessarily my place to make it about me; cause it’s not my experience. Sometimes it’s just about listening.” Throughout the song, Harry makes that clear through lines such as “It’s none of my business, but it’s just been on my mind.” He is trying to give Matilda a safe place to talk if she is open to it, and he understands the boundaries of their relationship, hinting that Harry and Matilda’s relationship is not particularly close.
At a time when many are experiencing mental health struggles compounded by the lingering effects of the pandemic, market instability, and the increasing toxicity of social media sites, we all should listen to the lyrics of “Matilda” so we can better listen and be there for ourselves and our loved ones during these volatile times.
Love Of My Life
Finishing off the album, Harry pays a delicate homage to England, his beloved homeland. But you would have no idea this song is about a country. The lyrics flow like he’s referring to a past lover, reminiscing on what they had together and the memories they made. The tone of the lyrics, however, is not bitter, but happy and nostalgic, appreciating what they had but not trying to bring it back. Harry shared in his interview with Apple Music that “Love of My Life” was the scariest song to release for a while because of its stripped-down accompaniments. Beyond a slight beat, the song is largely focused on his vocals alone. It is truly a performance song, perfect for concluding many of his upcoming shows. While “Love Of My Life” is not my favorite song on the album, it has quite a relaxing quality, calming you down after the auditory and emotional rollercoaster that is Harry’s House.
My Thoughts
Harry’s House is truly something different for Harry Styles. He experiments with themes of aging, addiction, and trauma, along with heavy funk and 80s influences. What makes this album special is its distinctiveness from his other records. Songs such as “Matilda” and “Love Of My Life” are sure to be hits with lovers of ballads and predominantly vocal pieces, whereas “As It Was” and “Music For A Sushi Restaurant” are perfect for dancing during summer nights. However, this album is definitely not perfect, and right now I prefer both Harry Styles and Fine Line over Harry’s House. I would argue that many of the songs on the album either have overly repetitive lyrics (“Cinema” comes to mind) or sound quite similar to one another. Many of the songs seemed uninspiring as compared to the masterpiece that is “Fine Line” or to the elegance yet spunk of “Only Angel.”
Only 28, Harry Styles has a long musical career ahead of him. Early in his solo career, he has already dipped into rock, pop, and funk genres. What Harry’s House has made me most excited about is his future as a musician. This album solidifies that whatever comes next, it will be exciting, new, and definitely a different sound. Jazz? Country? Punk? Only Harry knows.
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