Harry Styles drops third album ‘Harry‘s House’
“Harry’s House” made its debut on May 20, 2022.
Between the release of our previous issue and this current one, Harry Styles released his highly anticipated third album “Harry’s House.”
Below is my attempt at an expanded version of the formerly unintelligible mess that existed in my notes app, frantically typed out in the dead of night upon first hearing this release during the early hours of May 20, 2022.
While I cannot bring myself to actually rank the album, I will offer up my top five songs, in no particular order:
Upon first hearing that ASMR-like whisper count off and dark, thundery guitar intro, I am not going to lie — I thought this song was going to give off slightly evil vibes, for lack of a better term. However, I was completely thrown for a loop.
Something about the wonky keyboard parts really reminds me of The Beatles, and the filter on his voice just adds to the feeling that the song is being played on an old record player.
That combined with his vocals on “There’s just no getting through,” makes the song feel like when you hang your hand out the car window and let it ride the wind like waves.
The transition from Matilda to Cinema gave me whiplash in the best way possible. I went from silently sobbing in my bed to wiping my tears and grooving. It felt like the clouds were clearing after a stormy night, with little bird sounds included.
There is also a level of vulnerability in the lyrics, “I just think you’re cool, I dig your cinema. Do you think I’m cool, too? Or am I too into you?” in this otherwise sultry, funk-leaning song that I really appreciated.
I knew as soon as I heard that twangy little electric guitar solo that those notes were coming from the hands of John Mayer himself, thanks to my having strictly listened to his 2006 album “Continuum” every morning before my freshman year of high school. Questionable times, but I stand by that choice.
I, too, dig Olivia Wilde’s cinema. #BooksmartWasRobbedOscars2020
From the moment this track opened with a sample of The Brothers Johnson’s “Ain’t We Funkin’ Now,” I knew this song was going to be a good time.
Everything about it feels euphoric, like strutting down a runway and dancing in your summery kitchen and screaming from the rooftops. The song really sounds the way he felt while making it — it’s infectious.
John Mayer makes another appearance on this song for his signature funky guitar solo — which I couldn’t be happier about — and Harry’s ending belts leave this song off on a major high.
Harry uses a different lyrical style in this song, with the majority of it consisting of him listing words that create really vivid imagery that is almost more impactful than narrative-like lyrics.
The lyrics, “Maple syrup, coffee, pancakes for two. Hash brown, egg yolk, I will always love you,” paint such a picture of domestic bliss that the lyrics don’t even have to make a coherent sentence for you to tap into the feeling.
The real standout of this song is the bridge where anxiety builds in rapid lyrics and instrumentals alike, ending with the relieving, “Should we just keep driving?” breaking through all the noise and pulling you back to Earth.
This track starts off with you literally feeling like you are floating in space, orbiting around Earth.
The song begins like it might be quite sad and mellow, but quickly drops in punchy synths and drums that pick up the pace. Everything builds so well that I can tell an arena performance of this song would feel just as all encompassing as it does in my airpods.
I do, in fact, feel like I am spinning out waiting for Harry Styles himself to pull me in.
Rating: 5/5 stars
