There has been a lot of buzz in the music industry this year, with awards, new albums and artists... and we journalists are having a field day with it all.
One announcement that had the world dancing was the release of Harry Styles' fourth studio album: Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally. With the Together, Together Tour well underway for this year, let's take a look at the song that began Harry's new disco era.
Released in January 2026, two months before the release of the album, "Aperture" made its way quickly up the charts amongst Styles' fans and has become the staple song for the mantra of the tour: "We Belong Together," so with the tour now beginning, I think it's the right time to give "Aperture" a new and thorough review.
Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite
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At 5 minutes and 14 seconds, the song's length can be off-putting to those with a shorter attention span, especially in this day and age. Harry brings a new, versatile style of modern pop to the table; the song opens with a low, deep electronic beat, signalling a shift in atmosphere from Styles' previous tracks, which differed greatly from his hit "As It Was," which featured soft acoustic melodies.
"Aperture" is electrifying, having you picturing yourself on a smoky, crowded dance floor, dancing and kissing (occasionally) with strangers. The song feels personal and reflective with its introspective tone, finding "what safe is," searching for comfort, and I think that is presented subtly within the exhilarating rhythm.
Harry's intent with this song was to move freely and feel alive with yourself and others, and I feel this opening track resembles that pulsing feeling wonderfully. The title captures the track's ideals of clarity and light; referring to a camera's lens opening that allows light in creates a metaphor of emotional vulnerability, self-discovery and allowing love into your life. A state of being that Harry has always preached throughout his musical career and his personal life.
Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite
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Thumping Beats
The blend of electronic synth with undertones of a funky bassline created a pulsing sensation and, for me, that gave me this surge of energy—granting me an almost "out of body" experience. "Aperture's" release became the staple for the new HS4 era, and its place on the tracklist constructs an individualistic listening experience; for both the listener and Harry himself, the beat is continuous, and there isn't a pause for a breath in the song, highlighting Harry's path of new self-discovery, taking a different direction from the version of him in Harry's House.
What makes "Aperture" so addictive is the arrangement of the lyrics blending with the track's dance-pop sound, reflecting disconnected images of lights, strangers, and dancing. This fragmentation is shown through the lyrics, which, although ambiguous, allow listeners to interpret the song's verses to fit their own realities.
Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite
Harry's Growth
Despite some criticism from fans on the shift in aesthetics, the song is still undeniably Harry Styles-coded. People are still yearning for slow and deeply meaningful ballads from Harry like in previous albums, but I feel this track has that laced through the lyrics underneath the beat when really listening to it.
Personally, I was shocked upon first listening, as it is nothing like what I had expected from this album; the change emphasises a new stage in Harry's life that fans must flow with. It's different from what I am used to as a fan and the image I associate when listening to Harry's discography, but I like the new tones and what "Aperture" is offering to listeners: vulnerability and escapism from what we're used to.
Even though there are moments of uncertainty laced throughout the song, I found that the track's overall ability to provide a hopeful message allows us to open up, and the lyrics, tempo and aesthetics of the song are addictive; whether you're a Harry Styles fan or not, you can't help but feel the music through your body. I do like this track, and it's a great introduction to the album. The repetitive "we belong together" seals that truth with the song, and "Aperture" is a reminder from Harry for fans to "let the light in."
