I waited a couple of days to listen to the album in its entirety because I wanted to give it my undivided attention. After popping in and out of the spotlight for months—dodging cameras and social media, then suddenly being seen everywhere—the world was curious about how he would rebrand. But instead of going with classic, summery pop, he opted for a groovy version of dance instead.
Released on March 6, 2026, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally is Styles’ fourth studio album and one that is likely to set the musical standards for upcoming pop releases this year.
PHOTO: BRÁULIO AMADO
Although it’s a mix of different genres, the record uses dance and electronica as its foundation, branching out into pop, techno, and incorporating elements of rock and Europop—this surely influenced by the prolonged time he spent rubbing shoulders with Italians and immersing himself in the culture of Rome. After a successful run with brief choreographic performances on Fine Line, his second studio album, it seems he was left with an insatiable thirst for movement and decided to dedicate at least eight of the album’s twelve tracks to syncopated melodies that embolden dancing.
With two official singles, “Aperture” and “American Girls,” the English singer chooses a more delicate visual style, using cooler tones, pastels, and prominent shadow work. This contrasts with the tenacity of his music videos—which border on senseless so far, yet come across as fun and upbeat rather than ridiculous. Even so, there is a certain charm behind his abrupt dance moves that has always driven his fanbase wild.
Despite the fact that his previous work is mostly known for sentimental lyrics exploring relationships, adulthood, and his unusual, sensual take on self-discovery under a social microscope, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally is more melody-oriented. That is to say, some of the lyrics don’t make much sense at all. Of course, only a superstar like Harry Styles could get away with this—his efforts are focused elsewhere. They are hidden in the synths and strings, in the melodic composition of the tracks, and in the softening of his own voice, almost as if he is diverting attention away from his songwriting.
It seems that the constant attempts since 2016 to return in style have unintentionally injected a hint of indie sleaze into tracks like “Season 2 Weight Loss” and “Taste Back.” However, tracks like “Pop” and “Are You Listening Yet?” carry darker undertones and lean more toward 80’s New Wave. Throughout the album, you can feel a subtle presence of house music. Rightfully so—this album seems to have been created specifically for the summer, but not a summer by the water with sand between your toes. Rather, it evokes hot summer nights spent stumbling in and out of bars in big cities, sipping espresso martinis and gin and tonics, swimming in a sea of bodies all moving to the sound of Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.
