Ticket 2 Ride

Harry Styles is back after four years. I have to admit, when I first heard Styles’ 2022 album, Harry’s House, I liked it enough to buy it. When Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally dropped, I waited till I could borrow a copy before listening to the full album. There are some similarities with Harry’s House, but the musical vibe has some big differences. This new album is a bit more daring, less immediately engaging, more squeeze to get the juice.

That said, there are several standout tracks that immediately get your attention. A few others take more patience to unpack the layers of electronics to evaluate. Styles does have an ear for engaging melodies, just like on past albums.

There are more electronic layers than on Harry’s House, not annoying, but more challenging to engage. Going all-in with the dance-pop genre, that puts the groove bouncing between your ears. The beat is important, programming unique and effective bass and drum grooves are essential music that stands out in a crowded genre of similar artists. For an artist of Style’s stature, to do any experimentation better be done well. I wouldn’t say that Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally is more beat heavy than Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, because it isn’t.

I do like the real strings and horns used on several of the songs including “Coming Up Roses.” Also, use of the House Gospel Choir adds flare to these songs. “Paint By Numbers” is a ballad with minimal instruments, where Styles’ vocal performance is quite lovely. “Carla’s Song” is one of the strongest songs on the album, driving like a strong heartbeat.

Styles never over does it by extending songs, most are under four minutes long, although I suspect there are much lengthier remixes available for club play.

Produced by Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, who also composed the songs with Styles.

1. “Aperture“
   Harry Styles/Thomas Hull
   5:11
2. “American Girls“
   Styles/Hull/Tyler Johnson
   3:33
3. “Ready, Steady, Go!”
   Styles/Hull/Johnson
   2:40
4. “Are You Listening Yet?”
   Styles/Hull/Johnson
   3:12
5. “Taste Back“
   Styles/Hull/Johnson
   3:41
6. “The Waiting Game“
   Styles/Hull/Johnson
   2:49
7. “Season 2 Weight Loss”
   Styles/Hull/Johnson
   3:49
8. “Coming Up Roses” Styles 4:08
9. “Pop”
   Styles/Hull/Johnson
   3:36
10. “Dance No More”
    Styles/Hull
    3:14
11. “Paint by Numbers“
    Styles/Hull/Johnson
    2:27
12. “Carla’s Song”
    Styles/Hull
    4:13
    Total length: 42:33

I’m not a super hip guy on contemporary pop music, but there are a few artists that a track. Harry Styles is not someone I anticipated following enough to write a review, but strange things do happen.

All in all, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally is a very solid album. Very good, but not great.