Harry Styles

Before I write the rest of this review, let me begin by saying this is a good album. If you're into "electronicized", computer-generated and perfectly packaged music, then don't buy this album. If you want to listen to something honest that is a statement of the musician's inspirational influences and feelings, then this would be a good album to buy.To be honest, I really did not know anything about One Direction. I have been living in China since 2011, internet controls were stringent and most of the television stations were Chinese programs. I would see them on calendars when I came home during the semester break, and I laughed about them, calling them "One Dimension". I've been through a few rounds of boy bands (New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, NSync, Westlife, etc.), and the product has tended to be the same. The only song I had known by them (until this summer) was "Kiss You". When I worked in Zhuhai, China, there were stations from Hong Kong that televised western shows, and I happened to see the video for "Kiss You" in 2014 and really liked the song. So I downloaded it on my pc. I listened to it once in a while, but that was all I knew of One Direction.This past summer (2017), I had been feeling really depressed, dealing with the stalled direction of my life. Remembering how happy that "Kiss You" video had been years earlier, I looked it up on YouTube and played it. And played it again. Other videos by One Direction popped up on the suggestion list, so I watched those as well. As a 46 year old woman, it might seem silly, but those songs/videos by One Direction really cheered me up and gave me the emotional lift I needed. And some of their songs are reflective/beautiful.... Of course, I could see that they were a very well-packaged product.Anyone who watched these videos couldn't ignore Harry Styles' enthusiasm for performing and singing. I happened to watch the One Direction Car Karaoke with James Corden, and I was impressed by Styles' way of singing. So....I looked Harry Styles up on YouTube, and found this album. I was just curious. I had no plan to buy any of this music, either by One Direction or Styles' solo album. Then I read a review of this album, and it convinced me to try it. First of all, I'm amazed at the obsessive level of knowledge Styles' fans tend to have of his life; nevertheless, that fan's review, telling how he is an "old soul" when it comes to his musical influences and how he loved artists from the 1970's was enough to push me to buy this album. I grew up in the 1970's, and I still mainly listen to 1970's music. The only modern artist I buy is Josh Groban - no one else.Well, I ended up buying Harry Styles' album and also the albums by One Direction. For One Direction fans, don't expect this to be a continuation of the music with which you have learned to cheer on Styles. There is a lot of influence from the 1970's in here, I can see it in the nuance of the instrumentation and also how he sings some of the songs. He did not go the techno-style route, nor are any of these the fun romps that One Direction typically recorded. It's not 21st-century style ballads, either. As one of the other reviewers said, there is some "old soul" in this music; for me, who does not like most of the music put out these past 17 years, these songs have more soul. I'm really glad I bought this.All that said, once Mr. Styles has lived a little bit more of life (his life with One Direction has been somewhat of a controlled production, I assume), I think he will be able to grow as a lyricist. I appreciate how all the songs on this album were written by him and are not all just a self-indulgent self-promotion of his personal life (like some current musical recording stars), but some are a bit more universal in scope. He just needs to bring a bit more poetry to his song lyrics in the future.... At least, this is what I think.This is a very good first solo album from Mr. Styles. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with his second album.****Update on my impression*****Now that I've had this album for about 1 month, I wanted to update my impression. The more I play this album, the more I like it. I stick with what I said about the lyrical style, but the music and singing are really good to listen to. I hope other people can give it a try. Forget that Harry Styles was in One Direction and just listen to the music. It's really good.

Anyone who has followed One Direction, and specifically Harry Styles, won't be too surprised by the direction of his solo album. He has always been known in the band as "the old soul" and his influences are Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Paul Simon, and alternative rock rather than R&B, urban, pop, and electronic than his other band members have taken. This album represents him very well.I think so many people associate One Direction with " What Makes You Beautiful " and immediately dismiss them as boy band fluff. The first two albums are NOT my favorites as I'm a 40-year old mom of boys. I wasn't dragged to their concerts, but found them after their appearance on The Late Late Show. Harry caught my attention immediately, not his looks but his low, raspy voice. Color me curious, I used Prime to listen and was surprised to discover they had some excellent songs (Harry-specific compositions include Walking in the Wind, If I Could Fly, Olivia, Stockholm Syndrome, Where Do Broken, Something Great, Happily, also see Through the Dark, 18, Fool's Gold, Once in a Lifetime, Fireproof, and What A Feeling for a small sampling of adult-friendly songs). The singles (and their management) may have pandered to their youngest fans, but they are enjoyable for older fans too...you just have to give them the chance.Needless to say, I was really excited to see what Harry would do away from the constraints of his band and label. And he has truly flourished and quite literally blossomed as a solo artist. He's always been the quirky one and a solo album gives him the opportunity to shine. "The Pink Album" finds him (somewhat) exposed and vulnerable with his lyrics. As opposed to some fans, I don't dissect the lyrics looking for hidden meanings, but just listen for the enjoyment of some good music. And there are many standouts. In fact, the only one I tend to skip is "Sign of the Times" simply because I've heard it so much. There are plenty to chill to (Meet Me in the Hallway, Woman, From the Dining Table - WOW!), some sweet ones (Sweet Creature), and the rollicking ones (Carolina - current fave, Only Angel, Kiwi). The only complaint I have is on Ever Since New York, whose live version on Saturday Night Live, had some muscle behind it - the studio version is much more laid back, I kept waiting for the gritty vocals and his higher notes but they never came.He's certainly not the first gender-bending artist but the aesthetic of the album suits him (he's already quite iconic and he's only 23). I truly think he's got "It" and has a lot of potential for someone so young. Don't dismiss him, give him a chance, he's quite the charmer and "Harry Styles" proves he's got the vocals and songwriting skills to go along with his hair, dimples, and high fashion!

This album Is honestly great. I can tell you that I’m 99.78% that you will enjoy the majority of this album. It is quality music that brings an original voice and an original sound to the table.Every song on this album is extremely strong in its own way. I honestly wasn’t able to find a single song that was lacking in depth. Each song is great and with each next song I was again surprised with how talented Harry Styles is and how great this album is. The album is amazing in the sense it captures a lot of the vibes of older rock that I love, yet encapsulates current aspects of music. There are times I feel I am listening to a David Bowie song, and there are times I feel Fleetwood Mac influences, and then there are times it is just completely fresh to Harry Styles.I don’t know how else to express how good this album is without just having a listen. It will surprise you even if you are expecting it to be good. It is extremely diverse in sounds and I don’t feel like it is a similar theme of sound at all. Each song brings something different to the table and showcases a different aspect of Harry Styles’ vocals.I truly love this album from beginning to end and it was well worth the wait and the anticipation Harry Styles created. Each song that was not released or performed prior to the release are just as amazing as the singles. My favorite songs on the album are of the ones that weren’t even released before the album came out. If you only had to listen to one single song, I would suggest From the Dining Table, I personally found it to be the overarching triumph of the entire album with haunting lyrics and perfect from the beginning to the end.