Harry Styles is once again poised to redefine the pop landscape with his surprise new single “Aperture” and the announcement of his highly anticipated album, Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally. The track signals a bold left turn towards pulsating dance music, an evolution that feels both unexpected and a natural progression from the synth elements heard on 2022’s Harry’s House.
This pivotal moment in Styles’ career was the subject of a recent Rolling Stone Music Now episode. Host Brian Hiatt and critic Rob Sheffield delved into how Styles has consistently carved out a unique path in pop stardom, distinguishing himself from contemporaries and predecessors alike.
For decades, many white male pop singers navigated the charts by drawing heavily from current R&B. Styles, however, has consciously forged an alternative route, building on the rock-inflected foundation established during his One Direction days.
His solo discography showcases a remarkable breadth of influences, from the Brit-pop, classic rock, and indie leanings of his debut, to the Laurel Canyon vibes of Fine Line, and the Eighties aesthetics and occasional funk grooves prevalent in the uptempo tracks on Harry’s House. This diverse palette has allowed him to consistently innovate rather than imitate.
By sidestepping prevailing trends, Styles has inadvertently created new ones. Sheffield highlights a fascinating parallel to Elvis Presley’s return to music in 1960, after which many of his interim successors struggled to maintain their footing.
“They all filled the void while Elvis was in the army,” Sheffield says, “And they knew once Elvis got his discharge papers, it was gonna separate the boys from the men, so to speak. We would see who was going to stay a pop star and who was just taking up Elvis’s lane while Elvis was marching and drilling and getting addicted to speed pills.” This comparison suggests that Styles’ current move might be a deliberate challenge to those who have followed in his wake.
“Aperture” itself is a complex sonic tapestry, with Sheffield identifying traces of Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Chicago house, and Detroit techno within its grooves. Styles himself noted listening to LCD Soundsystem, a fitting influence for the track’s electro-dance sensibility.
Marking a shift in lyrical perspective, the song champions a collective spirit with its dance-floor chant of “we belong together.” Sheffield calls it a song about “a multiplicity of voices gathering on the dance floor,” further noting a deliberate echo of Leonard Cohen’s famous line: “there is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in” in the song’s central image. Sheffield adds, “It says a lot about Harry’s musical ambition, that you can make people think of Leonard Cohen in this really electro song about hitting the dance floor.”
Harry Styles' Evolving Pop Blueprint
The release of “Aperture” and the forthcoming Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally solidifies Harry Styles’ position as a singular force in contemporary pop. His consistent willingness to experiment with genre and sound is not merely an artistic whim but a calculated strategy that has allowed him to transcend conventional pop stardom.
Unlike many peers who might stick to a proven formula, Styles embraces sonic exploration, making each album a distinct chapter in his musical narrative. This approach fosters genuine anticipation among fans and critics, ensuring his output remains fresh and critically relevant.
His ability to weave disparate influences—from classic rock and indie to Eighties synth-pop and techno—into a cohesive, chart-topping sound creates a benchmark for authenticity in an industry often driven by manufactured trends. This latest shift challenges not only his own artistic boundaries but also the comfort zones of those who might seek to emulate his success.
By making such a bold move towards sophisticated electronic dance music, Styles is effectively daring his imitators to keep pace. It reinforces his reputation as a true trendsetter, always one step ahead, and ensures that his "new lane for pop stardom" continues to expand and evolve, keeping both fans and the industry eagerly watching his next move.
