For an album with the word “disco” in the title, Harry Styles’ fourth studio album hardly even features the occasional groove, let alone the high-energy funk associated with the term.
Despite the clear inspiration Styles drew from artists like LCD Soundsystem and David Bowie, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally” is a pop album to its core. That doesn’t mean the album is inherently bad; it is just misrepresented by its funky, shimmery aesthetics.
This project stays on the safe side, always looking both ways before venturing into anything even remotely experimental. Any sense of authenticity seemed short-lived, as if it would be met with harsh critical backlash.
Most of the songs merely dabble in a funk synth or electro-pop beat, but all seem to resort back to the same overproduction apparent in his two previous albums. With how close to greatness some of these songs were, it was somewhat frustrating listening to them fall short.
“Aperture” sets the stage for some real danceability but leads into five tracks that feel reminiscent of the 2016 indie-rock era, at best.
The second half of the album picks up the momentum and makes the four-year wait a little more worth it — the groove was no overlooked in this latter portion.
“Season 2 Weight Loss” experiments with some electro-pop, which was especially strong in the bridge. I wish he would’ve stuck with the theme throughout the rest of the song, but it felt like a start.
Had the entire album sounded like “Dance No More,” this album would have been a winner. This track has some fun 1980s funk with a danceable beat that would make for an excellent skating rink song, which felt like the advertised vibe.
Many tracks on the album play into the growing trend of pop artists talking over instruments and calling it singing — but not tracks eight or 11. They also stray away from any semblance of disco or funk, but they do reflect Styles’ voice at its best.
“Coming Up Roses” stands out for its orchestral instruments and has some of the best writing on the album. Styles is credited as the sole writer and brings a sense of either bittersweet nostalgia or longing.
Sure, you’ll hear these songs playing overhead in a department store, but they won’t be winning too many awards.
If you’re a fan of any of Styles’ previous works, especially “Harry’s House,” you’re bound to enjoy this one. Just don’t go into it expecting bell-bottoms and disco balls.
The album cover of Harry Style’s new album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” Picture by The Cornell Daily Sun.