2AM Thoughts on Harry Styles's Album
Golden: The beat is airy and light, but the lyrics strike emotional chords from the beginning. They make me sad and nostalgic but the beat makes me feel euphoric; the combination makes me feel like I should be listening to this while crying at a party. “I don't want to be alone” and “you’re so golden” make me so sad because he is a heartbroken boy.
Watermelon Sugar: I love it even more with each listen. Nostalgia pt 2. Maybe I’m just feeling sentimental right now? Love the “breathe me in” part and the chorus! It has “car windows rolled down on the highway during the summer” energy. Super singable; who cares about staying on pitch?
Adore you: This is adore-able. Pun intended. It makes me crave a relationship without labels? Not a domestic one. This song captures the puppy love stage of any relationship.
Lights Up: Interesting choice considering the first song off of Harry Styles was “Sign of the Times” and this doesn’t reverberate/leave me with as many existential thoughts as that did. It starts off chill and turns into a rager. The music video has themes of identity and lyrics like “Step into the light” and “I’m not ever going back” celebrate self-love.
Cherry: The beginning is beautiful in a melancholic way. This song begins the “B” (or heartbreak) side of the album. :( coucou. Having it start with Camille Rowe’s voice shows the transition between being in love with her to being broken up. The strumming of the guitar combined with his vocals are such a sad acknowledgement that they’re not together anymore and he’s not over her. It’s so peaceful and just vibes incredibly hard with anyone who’s been heartbroken/misses their ex when they’ve moved on. This is an absolute masterpiece. I see parallels between this and “Sweet Creature.”
Falling: The depth of his voice in this combined with the piano music. There’s so much vulnerability in this song that documents the final stages of a relationship/post-break up blues. The crushing self-doubt and loneliness you feel when one of the people you cared most about will no longer be in your life (at least, in the same way). It vibes.
To Be So Lonely: The STRUMMING and the progression from “Falling” is gorgeous. There’s so much anger and regret captured in this. Whereas “Falling” was guiltful and blaming himself, this is a more passive-aggressive take on heartbreak. Self-sabotage, a kind of depressed acceptance. This feels like sadness masked as “I can’t do this again.” He’s defensive but it also demonstrates a resentful sort of vulnerability.
She: Lowkey has “From the Dining Table” vibes but it might just be similar lyrics? The chorus has “Carolina” undertones. I’m into the guitar solo and the “she sleeps in his bed” part.
Sunflower Vol. 6: I’m not really sure what genre this is since it plays around with so many aspects of his voice. This also has massive Queen vibes and I feel like that’s what he was going for (especially the “tonight tonight tonight” part of the chorus). These lyrics are beautiful and I love the repetition.
Canyon Moon: It starts out like a commercial jingle. Kind of country but I’m weirdly into it. I love the imagery in this song and the phrase “Canyon Moon.” This is a very romantic, hopeful love story! I love the hypothetical home.
Treat People with Kindness: Cute “Queen Energy” intro. Honestly the best word I can use to describe this is hearty? It also sounds like a choir song. There are just so many vibes in this album.
Fine Line: My first reaction relistening is “how did this not make me cry the first time.” This is so brutally honest and soft and me too. His voice is lulling and fading in and out. The repetition brings all the feels.
Ranking:
To Be So Lonely/Fine Line
Falling
Cherry
She
Sunflower Vol. 6
Canyon Moon
Adore you
Golden
Watermelon Sugar
Lights up
Treat People With Kindness
by SHWETA KONDAPI