Since shedding his boyband past to go a bit Stereophonics on 2017’s “Sign of the Times”, Harry Styles has broadened the horizons of his pop fanbase with two sophisticated albums. He’s touched on psych pop, future funk, indie rock, classic folk, even a spot of prog. In 2019, he addressed his split from Victoria’s Secret model Camille Rowe on Fine Line by channelling the essence of Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac into very modern songs of sex and heartbreak.
As the tabloids froth over the possibility of an imminent proposal to new girlfriend Olivia Wilde, though, third album Harry’s House doesn’t yet profile the Dundatin’ pop star lifestyle of honeymoons in St Tropez and a separate limo for the au pair. It exists in the chaotic and self-destructive hinterland between affairs, where grief and regret battle the flush of new romance, nights blur and addictions take root. “Answer the phone, Harry, you’re no good alone,” goes first single “As it Was”, “What kind of pills are you on?”
