Harry Styles Goes Disco
Harry Styles dropped his fourth album *Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.* with critics split on his stylistic shift. Pitchfork calls it "decaf dance-pop" while Vogue India praises the choreography and playfulness. Extra.ie gave it 8/10, calling it a "banger" and applauding his commitment to reinvention.
The album reunites Styles with producers Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, who have been key collaborators throughout his solo career. Kid Harpoon co-wrote and produced most of 2019's *Fine Line* and all of 2022's Grammy-winning *Harry's House*. This disco-funk sound marks another genre pivot for Styles. His 2017 self-titled debut leaned into '70s soft-rock, while *Fine Line* was a blend of pop-rock and psychedelic pop. His third album, *Harry's House*, drew inspiration from '70s Japanese city pop, synth-pop, and new wave. *Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.* features several guest vocalists. Ellie Rowsell, the lead singer of the English rock band Wolf Alice, and members of the London-based House Gospel Choir provide backing vocals on multiple tracks, including the lead single "Aperture". The album's sound aligns with a broader disco and funk revival that has been present in pop music for several years. Artists like Dua Lipa have seen massive success by blending contemporary sounds with classic disco basslines, vibrant synths, and four-on-the-floor rhythms. Styles announced the album on January 15, 2026, and released the lead single "Aperture" a week later. A music video for the track "American Girls" premiered on the album's release date, March 6. In addition to general disco, critics have noted influences from dance-punk and artists like LCD Soundsystem on the album's sound. Some reviews also point to sonic nods to '80s legends like Prince.
