Stylers, rejoice! Almost two and a half years have passed since Harry Styles’ second studio album, “Fine Line,” first wowed fans with singles like “Adore You,” “Watermelon Sugar” and “Falling,” so it was no surprise for fans to become overcome with excitement when the artist announced his third solo album, titled “Harry’s House,” for May 20. Regular Instagram users can attest: In the days leading up to April 1, one could find the announcement for his new single “As It Was” posted over and over again throughout many Instagram stories.
The first single of the album, “As It Was,” was just released Friday, April 1, and fans are already in love! The music video opens with the voice of Style’s goddaughter, Ruby Winston, asking Styles to say goodnight: “Come on, Harry, we wanna say goodnight to you.” Following the audio clip, Harry dances onto the screen wearing a red winter peacoat and then changes into a red, glittery tank top jumpsuit, singing a song that listeners everywhere will find relatable.
“As It Was” is quickly proving to be an earworm, and listeners can’t help but become enchanted with the choreography of Styles’ dance moves, his outfit and Harry himself. Fans were so enamored that the music video reached 14 million views on YouTube the first day it aired. The choreography between Styles and his on-screen love featured handholding quickly breaking apart — a couple who is now split between two different planes. It was emotional, but also a sweet tribute to the end of a relationship and how we interact with one another if we choose to.
Beyond Styles’ dancing, singing and acting in his music video, Mathilde Lin also wowed audiences. Lin played Styles’ estranged love in the video and dressed in the same jumpsuit, but in blue, acting as Styles’ complete opposite. The wardrobe was fitting; not only did Styles and Lin look stunning, but they matched the bittersweet message of the lyrics.
Some of the lyrics lamented a relationship gone sour, being wistful for the good old days: “In this world, it’s just us. You know it’s not the same as it was.” Despite these lyrics, Styles makes a promise to his lover: “When everything gets in the way, seems you cannot be replaced / And I’m the one who will stay, oh-oh-oh”; he insists that despite things changing, he knows neither person can let go of the broken relationship. The song is catchy and almost hopeful while reflecting on a relationship that, while meaningful, obviously can’t go back to being “as it was” before.
With the huge excitement over a mere single, “Harry’s House” will be just as popular, if not more beloved than his previous albums, “Harry Styles” and “Fine Line.” The artist himself even shared his own enthusiasm for the upcoming project in an article in People written by Rachel DeSantis: “I also feel really happy at the moment and I feel like it’s the first time I feel like I’m making music and putting music out from a real place of personal freedom,” the singer said. While Styles recognizes his own growth and passions, it is worth mentioning that fans have also loved seeing Styles mature as an individual performer and express himself beyond what was possible in his One Direction days.
While obvious to longtime fans, some newcomers may forget Styles’ origins. As many remember, he was first recognized for being the youngest member of the British boy band One Direction. Styles served as a singer during the band’s run from 2010 to 2016 until the group found itself in an indefinite hiatus to allow the young group members the chance to pursue music as solo artists. Along with Styles, former One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn (previously known as Zayn Malik) and Liam Payne have all gone on to release separate albums or singles.
Styles’ solo career began in 2017 with the release of his very first single, “Sign of the Times.” Since then, Styles has redefined himself in ways that have gained him endless affection and admiration from fans. For one, Styles is a highly progressive figure; he is incredibly outspoken and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, adamant about letting those fans know he supports them. One such fan even worked up the courage to come out to her mother during a Love on Tour concert in 2021, and Styles helped her do so by waving a bisexual flag in support.
Styles is also well-known for his personal slogan, “TPWK,” which was then later written into a song on his album “Fine Line.” “Treat People With Kindness” is Harry’s hope to share kindness, love and positivity with one another. In such uncertain times, “TPWK” is a gracious reminder for fans to treat one another with kindness; it also shows that Styles is a genuine and humble artist who wants the best for everyone.
In addition to being an ally and endorsing kindness, Styles also makes unique wardrobe choices, which inspires fans to do the same. In 2019, Styles took several promotional photos for his “Saturday Night Live” performance in a traditional ballerina outfit composed of a baby pink tutu and white tights.
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Most controversial of all, he was captured on Vogue’s December 2020 issue wearing a dress that upset many people with the way it broke gender norms, but that hasn’t stopped him since. Styles is true to himself, and fans love him and his expressive fashion.
No matter anyone’s opinion on Styles’ costuming, it is evident that he has charmed over 43 million people (as shown by his followers on Instagram) through his performances, music and overall state of being. His talent had also proven quite versatile since 2017, which was when Styles branched into some acting projects. Styles was in 2017’s “Dunkirk” and also cameoed in an end credits scene for the recent Marvel film “The Eternals” as Eros and will likely return as the character in a later sequel. He is also slated to appear in “Don’t Worry Darling,” which is a thriller that will release later this year, so audiences will be excited to see how he embraces the change in pace.
Harry Styles is an icon, and for good reason. With his third album on the way — and fingers crossed for more single releases up until then — fans will continue to fall more and more in love with Styles and the music he has to share.
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