“Open up your eyes, shut your mouth and see that I’m still the only one who’s been in love with me. I’m just happy getting you stuck in between my teeth and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Credit – Harry Styles Official Facebook

Harry Styles is the new debut self-titled album from the man himself, British phenomenon Harry Styles. It’s been a long time coming but the album is finally here and wow, isn’t it wonderful?! No, seriously…

Since its release, I have sat and stewed upon numerous album and music charts across the globe, watching the album debut or peak at number ONE in each country. By 5am Friday morning Sydney time, the album had debuted/peaked at #1 in over 30 countries! When the album dropped at midnight in the US, it reached the coveted #1 spot on the iTunes sales charts by 12:30am. The album’s debut on the Aussie, UK, Canadian, Spanish and Italian iTunes charts has stayed at a solid #1 since its release 72 hours ago. As it stands, Harry Styles’ debut album is #1 in over 80 countries. The charts say it all… I can’t say I’m surprised though, the album is everything and more. It truly caters to all genres, to all fans young and old but most of all, if you’re not a fan or listener of Harry Styles you can still enjoy his music, his musical artistry and relate to it in one way or another.

The 10 track, 40 minute length album is THE album of the year. In those 40 minutes you get a unique but diverse collection of tracks that take you on a rollercoaster journey in every single song. The album embodies the many legends in music history with love; Bowie, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Jagger just to name a few. The album showcases Harry’s growth not only as a performer but also as a person, presenting some of the most mature lyrics of his collection to date. For the first time, Harry has been able to write what he wants, say what he wants, sing what he wants and play and perform what he wants from start to end of the entire process.

Let’s check out the track list below –

Meet Me In The Hallway – The first track of the album, Meet Me In The Hallway oozes a light pop-rock ballad feel led by the acoustic guitar. The track starts off with Harry counting “2… 3…” as it leads into the spirited melody; his dream now reality.

Sign Of The Times – The first official and only single released from the album so far, Sign Of The Times is a five and a half minute ballad introducing a new chapter, a new beginning for Harry and his musical artistry as he says goodbye to his incredible One Direction past. If it wasn’t risky enough being a lengthy five and a half minutes, Harry successfully embodies a modern Bowie-esque vibe with a deep, mysterious tone to this track; many interpretations of the song being considered. With deep, thought provoking lyrics and a sweet falsetto, Sign Of The Times is a total hit and the charts have proved exactly that!

Carolina – Led by the plucking of the bass guitar and a real strutting down the sidewalk feel, Carolina is a psychedelic rock track that embraces the real 70’s Rolling Stones rock influence. “She’s a good girl/She feels so good.” Carolina is a catchy, finger clicking hit!

Two Ghosts – Two Ghosts takes on an acoustic rock ballad feel with incredibly deep and nostalgic lyrics of a former relationship and growth as a person – “We’re not who we used to be/We’re just two ghosts…”

Sweet Creature – Sweet Creature is a near four minute folksy, purely acoustic track entirely raw and full of passion. Focused on the smooth and sweet sound of the acoustic guitar, Sweet Creature’s melody perfectly accompanies the soothingly strong vocals and genuinely sentimental and reflective lyrics of distant loves and relationships.

Only Angel – Track six of the album is a real Rolling Stones inspired hit. Only Angel is a real smack in the face with wild rock riffs and a solid, robust backline that wholly withstands the strength of Harry’s liberated vocal ability and mature sound. The song drips with hip-swaying sex appeal and the lyrics highlight just that – “Couldn’t take you home to mother in a skirt that short but I think that’s what I like about it/When it turns out she’s a devil in between the sheets and there’s nothing she can do about it…” Only Angel is a major favourite in this camp!

Kiwi – Following in the footsteps of the previous track, Kiwi is amplified in more ways than one! The song oozes 70’s rock in all forms, the great percussion production leading the entire song along side the intoxicating rock riffs of the guitar. The lyrics confess the attraction to a “crazy” girl, telling the listener “it’s none of your business”. Whether that verse is just tongue-in-cheek or a clever way to express the true feelings of Harry as he lives his life in the spotlight, Kiwi is a real punch in the face track that will have you on your feet screaming and shouting at the top of your lungs just like Harry Styles!

Ever Since New York – The second song performed at Harry’s debut on Saturday Night Live, Ever Since New York is a modern, light rock ballad with incredibly deep lyrics of a former love and their relationship – “Brooklyn saw me, empty avenues. There’s no water inside this swimming pool. Almost over, that’s enough from you.” Led by the strumming of the electric guitar and the urban rock vibe of the drums, Ever Since New York is a catchy tune that will stick to your mind for days on end.

Woman – I really think the title and lyrics explain it all! – “I’m selfish I know, but I don’t ever want to see you with him/I hope you can see, the shape that I’m in while he’s touching your skin. He’s right where I should, where I should be but you’re making me bleed.” The funky, soulful guitar melody and sexy piano accompaniment makes this track a real winner with the women, or does it? Personally, I see Harry taking on a real masculine, heart on his sleeve type of dominance in this song, scorning a former lover but confessing is undeniable attraction for her. Woman is a real modern funk-rock track that will make your whole body sway unwillingly, wishing he was talking about you. Que the heart eyes.

From The Dining Table – I won’t lie, I choked a little at the opening lyrics but From The Dining Table makes total sense once you take it for a spin! It’s a mature, deeply emotional and expressive take on the personal life of a superstar – “Woke up alone in this hotel room/Fell back to sleep, I got drunk by noon. I’ve never felt less cool.” Or maybe the lyrics are totally not what we perceive them to be, but you can’t deny that the lyric – “But maybe one day you’ll call me and tell me you’re sorry, too…” doesn’t scream anything but heart break and blatant desire for the unattainable. From The Dining Table is a modern pop ballad purely focused on the divine sounds of the electric guitar and Harry’s vocals.

Credit – Harry Styles Official Facebook

From meeting him in the hallway, Harry opens up his once incredibly private world for everyone to see through his album; inviting us into his home, his mind and his soul. Each track is a new emotion, a new feeling, a new experience interconnected by another. I cannot wait to see what Harry has up his sleeve in the near future. I can tell you right now, his tour this year will be one to remember with a song collection like this! 2017 is going to be massive for Harry Styles!

Harry Styles by Harry Styles, what a beautiful musical and lyrical journey we are being taken on. The album speaks for itself. Go check it out!

Check out the dates of Harry Styles’ world tour below!