Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally: My Full Review

After 4 years of waiting, constantly checking our fan page's Instagram for updates, refreshing Spotify, and enduring suspense, our fruit man, Harry Styles, returns to us from his musical break since Love On Tour 2023.

The release of Harry Styles' new album marks the beginning of a new era. Kiss All the Time. Disco Occasionally.

brings a totally different vibe compared to the Harry's House album released back in 2022. Think disco vibes, glitter and sparkles, dancing non-stop, sweat, adrenaline pumping... HS4 is something we aren't prepared for, and we "know it's not the same as it was".

As a HS (die-hard) fan, with my obsession starting back in the 1D era, I cannot stop listening to this new album — it wasn't what I was expecting at all, but I am so here for it. After copious (unhealthy) amounts of listening, I have gone through all twelve songs and left my honest, full review of each.

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

"Aperture"

Given to us early by Mr. Styles as a teaser for the new album, I think it was the best way to introduce us to the vibes KATTDO brings. The synth beats make for a nightlife mood, and mixed with the emotional lyrics, which explore vulnerable love, are bold and sweet, but you don’t really take them in as they lie underneath the pumping beat.

I like this as the first track of the album — it creates the vibes and with the repeating mantra of “We Belong Together” really sums up the fan culture and has similar energy to TPWK.

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"American Girls"

Reaching the number 1 spot on the Billboard charts, "American Girls" sounds like 1D Harry singing, and the nostalgia hit me hard. The mid-tempo and dreamy sound had me closing my eyes and mindlessly swaying. The chorus must be screamed. This song personally reminded me of a response to UK Harries shouting ‘Leave America!’.

I do love "American Girls"; the chorus is so catchy, and I love hearing Harry expressing that he’s watching his friends settle down. The transition from "Aperture" to "American Girls" was a good choice and sets the tone for both the disco and slow music featured.

"Ready, Steady, Go!"

Moving to a faster tempo from "American Girls", we transition into "Ready, Steady, Go!", a dark disco track with a punchy bassline that keeps my head bopping throughout and a tight drum groove. When I first listened, I got heavy 70s/80s disco energy, which is very different to what we are used to with Harry's aesthetic, but what I love about it is the shift during the song from synth pop to an interlude of acoustic, rhythmic guitar, which gives a nice break from the slightly chaotic beat. The cycle of build, release, and repeat is what keeps me on my feet. This song makes me stop overthinking and live in the moment, which I think is what Harry wants us to do with this album.

I love this track, although not in my top 3, I like the vibes and chant throughout of "Ready, Steady, Go!" It's upbeat and has one of the highest energies on the album. If you're a runner (like Harry), this is great for a tempo run.

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

"Are You Listening Yet?"

Similar vibes to "Ready, Steady, Go!" is the fourth track on the album, "Are You Listening Yet?". The electo-pop, indie blend makes for a perfect tempo to either dance or sit and listen to, and much like "Ready, Steady, Go!", the chorus has a chant-like energy that needs to be screamed each time, otherwise there's no point, is there? The track layers a subtle bass with echoing backing vocals, which I think gives the song a dissociative feeling; through the melody and lyrics, it feels like the song, or Harry, is trying to get through to someone who isn't listening.

This song was teased just before midnight on March 5th on Instagram by Harry's album-brand account webelongtogetherco, and I was definitely surprised after one listen. It was a new side to Harry's music, and one fans aren't familiar with. I really like this track; it's different and new, but I feel it should have been placed elsewhere on the album, maybe right after Ready, Steady, Go! to change the vibes slightly.

"Taste Back"

This song seems to have hit hard with the fans, but personally, I'm not the biggest fan! I really like the chorus in this song and the concpet but I'm just not too keen on the tempo and melody of the track. The structure is quite low-key with groove, funky guitar and bass.

I do find the song comforting; it feels nostalgic and relatable in relationships. Again, as this album implies, there's a smooth disco-pop energy with some R&B influences, which brings something new to this song, unlike previous album tracks.

I'm personally not a great lover of this one. I like the concept and the song's nostalgic feel, and I wouldn't skip it, but I wouldn't choose it when picking a song from the album. I think this song could've been better as a slower track rather than with disco and pop influences.

"The Waiting Game"

The title of this song matches the overall mood: it feels like a slow burner, with soft synths and minimal instrumentation at first that gradually build. It is one of the lesser-played songs on the album, I believe. It's an easy listen and not anything truly special, in my honest view.

It's in a good spot on the album to separate two bigger songs ("Taste Back" and "Season 2 Weight Loss"), it's an intimate track which can be missed on a first listen, but it's patient and aching, the track feels like an unresolved situation which feels heavy, and this is emphasised through the airy and soft piano notes. This song feels like a breather in between the heavier songs, so I like the placement, but I wouldn't jump to play this one, and if I'm not really feeling like listening, I would probably skip it...which I hate to admit!

I like this track, but again, not up there with my favourites. The song sort of passes me in the album when listening, and I'm sort of 'waiting' for the next song if I'm being brutally honest. I do not dislike the song by any means, but it does feel like a filler song on the album.

It is placed well, though I will say it feels like a break from the heavier songs. I just don't really like the different synth sounds in the track, hurts my brain a little, but the melody is still good, and the chorus is very nice to listen to with the echoing vocals. But not a massive yes from me, sorry Hazza!

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

"Season 2 Weight Loss"

A controversial title, which I thought meant I wouldn't really like the topic of the song, but it's the opposite - I adore this song and the whole vibe of it. It is definitely a screamer in the shower, and a headphone blaster on a walk. I love lip syncing in the mirror or when I'm alone, fake screaming the lyrics: 'Holding out, hoping love will come around' - pure musical genius.

The lyrics really spoke to me, and I feel it is one that many people can relate to: trying to please someone through appearances to feel loved. When Harry Styles sings about these topics, you know it's going to be good. I love the electro-pop feels and almost 'trippy' atmospheric vibes, the drums and deep groove, AGAIN, have my head and knees bouncing non-stop.

I don't know what Harry has put in this album, but it's infectious, and I have to dance.

"Coming Up Roses"

As always with Harry Styles songs, there's always a tear-jerker and "Coming Up Roses" is the one. Like "The Waiting Game", this song is placed between two heavier, electro-pop tracks and serves as a break from Disco and more toward Kiss. The melody and sentimental lyrics feel like a distant hug; it reminded me a lot of "Sign of the Times" from Harry's first album.

Perhaps it's an homage to this song and how much Harry has grown since then...the strings and piano create a light and soft atmosphere, it feels bittersweet to listen to. I admit I did cry when listening to it, especially on the 'there's only me and you'. Sobbing! The string quartet really elevates this song on my favourites list, it feels almost angelic and such a contrast from the rest of the songs and album aesthetic.

"Coming Up Roses" feels like growth, and we know that Harry was preaching that for this album.

"Pop"

Okay, so the bodypopping is real on this one. Quite a switch up from "Coming Up Roses", perhaps to get us back into the KISSCO mood instead of crying...Harry truly knows how to keep us dancing and the disco alive; the drums in this song and the album throughout don’t disappoint. The constant drum kick imitates a pop sound, and I can’t help but ‘pop’ and bop along.

I think the song has a good blend of energy and simplicity; however, I wish there were a little more emotion, as the song feels a little scattered and missing something. I can’t deny it’s an amazing track to dance to and imagine I’m in bellbottoms in the 1970s, but I wish it had just a little more spice to it.

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

"Dance No More"

Hands down, my favourite song. The 'Disco Occasionally' is actually disco, constantly on this track, there is a 70s dance atmosphere, and combined with layered synths, energised beats and chant-like lyrics: 'Respect your mother', it's impossible not to move your feet.

The descending vocal scales Harry performs in this song are so addictive to listen to - his voice is utterly mesmerising and puts you in a dance trance, the song feels freeing - I feel my body moves without me even realising when this song comes on, I really like the the inspiration Harry had from Joni Mitchell's "People's Parties" and the sentiment that laughing and crying has the same realese.

I think what I love about this song, and it takes the number one spot on my favourites list of this album is how its different from anything we're used to with Harry's music, and I love feeling like my body's free when listening, and how amazing this song can be through headphones or in concert; no matter where you listen to this, or who you listen with and how you listen - you just MOVE!

"Paint By Numbers"

The orchestral elements make another appearance for this track, and so do the tears. This song feels like the title - if that makes sense - the whimsy of painting by numbers really comes through in the melody and lyrics, an activity so simple can hold so much meanings I personally took a lot from this song as I feel the meaning is ambitious to listeners and you can take the lyrics and composition in any way you’d like to fit your perspectives. Painting by numbers also feels childish, and honouring your inner child, something I think Harry wanted to get across.

The lyrics of this song also feature on the vinyl packaging: ‘Oh what a gift it is to be noticed, but it’s nothing to do with me’. I think this summarises Harry’s break quite well as a way to reconnect with himself, his music and the fans. I also love the string symphonies and the slowing down as we reach the end of the album.

"Carla's Song"

The simplicity of the name and the song itself is so perfectly Harry, and the ultimate way to end the album and HS4. It is a lovely blend of sweetness and subtle sadness in the melody, tone and lyrics. The track was dedicated to one of Harry’s friends, Carla and her genuine excitement. The lyrics portray this character so beautifully and honestly, especially through: ‘it’s all waiting there for you’.

Although this is "Carla’s Song", it does feel like our song (the fans) too, and that’s why I really like this song, in terms of placement, musical style and composition.

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

I think this has to be one of my favourite HS albums, granted there’s only four, but there is something so new and offering with this album - it feels for me personally the change in era has come at the right time as I feel in my life I’m leaving an old me behind and entering a new era of me.

With this new album, we will certainly be ‘dancing with all our friends’ and possibly sharing a tear or two.

Welcome back, Harry Styles.