After two years of the release of his debut self entitled album, superstar Harry Styles is back with another album – and it was certainly very long awaited.
Fine Line, Styles’s second album, was released on December 13 and it is everything fans were expecting and more. Packed with a plethora of instruments, distinctive beats and dreamy lyrics, every track from Fine Line is undeniably unforgettable in its own unique way.
Image via Harry Styles’s Official Instagram
Let’s take a look at each of the tracks, shall we?
TRACK NO. 1: “Golden”
A quick, upbeat tune that fans will recognize instantly from the trailer advertising Styles’s upcoming tour LOVE ON TOUR. The song opens with a catchy refrain that will have you immediately bobbing your head up and down. Styles sings about first loves and the fear of making oneself vulnerable. The track is accompanied by an array of instruments that carries the track beautifully-a magical guitar track, a punchy drumbeat, and an enchanting layer of the repeated phrase “you’re so golden.”
TRACKS NO. 2, 3, 4: Want to check out my thoughts on Harry’s three singles “Lights Up,”Watermelon Sugar,” and “Adore You“? Click on their titles for each of their respective reviews!
TRACK NO. 5: “Cherry“
An ode to his ex girlfriend Camille Rowe, “Cherry” certainly pulls at all of the heart strings. This song is a beautiful goodbye of sorts to a previous lover who has moved on. A continuous tune is plucked on a somewhat folksy guitar as Styles croons “don’t you call me baby…don’t you call him what you used to call me.” The tune is coexists with a harmonica and later, a beautiful symphony as Styles confesses to missing [Camille’s] accent. As the song comes to an end, to add to the aroma of heartbreak, Styles allows fans a snippet into a conversation with Rowe – a voicemail of her speaking French and giggling. Talk about beautiful (and heartbreaking).
TRACK NO. 6: “Falling“
This track starts with an enticing set of notes delicately played on the piano. As soon as Styles begins, the piano grows softer and still, very immediate as Styles croons on about loneliness and baggage. But, as soon as the track enters into the chorus, Styles showcases his ever-growing talent as a vocalist. “What if I’m someone I don’t want around?” He asks, followed by several repeats of “I’m falling again.” The track looks beyond the breaking point of a relationship and rather, looks within. Styles appears to be analyzing his own worth and value while away from this person – (ahem, Camille Rowe). The track is heartbreakingly beautiful but in a way that is divergent from “Cherry.” Rather, “Falling” reflects on one’s own mental state and the swirling thoughts of doubt.
TRACK NO. 7: “To Be So Lonely”
This track deviates from the previous two and begins with the plucking of a ukulele. The drums kick in then and soon enough, Styles is singing, “I’m just an arrogant son of a bitch who can’t admit when he’s sorry.” Very quickly, the chorus kicks in and the song picks up, transforming the song from the sort that makes you want to sway gently immediately into the sort of track that makes you want to get up and full on dance. “I miss the shape of your lips,” Styles sings before the guitar and drums start up again. Styles repeats again and again: “to be so lonely, to be so lonely,” as a violin plays softly in the background. “To Be So Lonely,” though entirely different from tracks like “Cherry” and “Falling,” shows off Styles’s impressing range as an artist. He can do it all – literally.
TRACK NO. 8: “She“
This track starts off slowly. Very soon, it feels like you’re witnessing the everyday life of a man working a job inside a corporate office who is also hopelessly in love with a girl. For some reason, it’s raining. The instrumentals in this song are slow and almost jazzy, making the song the sort you can’t help but bob your head along to. Styles sings about this mysterious “She” – essentially describing the way this person feels about our mystery girl: “she lives in daydreams with me,” Styles croons. Long after Styles has finished singing, his fellow band member Mitch Rowland showcases his already known but still surprisingly wonderful skills as a guitarist with a nearly two minutes long guitar solo. “She” is a suite, featuring a collection of beats and hypnotizing guitar riffs over the course of six minutes.
TRACK NO. 9: “Sunflower, Vol. 6“
The song begins with a gentle distortion before Styles begins to sing. As Styles sings about falling in love and of course, sunflowers, the song very quickly picks up once it kicks into the chorus. “I couldn’t want you any more,” he professes. Then, “kiss in the kitchen like it’s a dance floor.” Styles sounds heavenly as he sings on about falling for someone. With his voice layered over a body of instruments and harmonies, “Sunflower, Vol. 6” is just another song off the album that showcases Styles’s talent as a musician.
TRACK NO. 10: “Canyon Moon“
This track immediately kicks off in high spirits. With full on imagery – blue skies, yellow doors and all – Styles reminisces on a past memory, his voice intertwining beautifully with a catchy beat and a gently strummed guitar. Wrapped up in a ball of nostalgia, “Canyon Moon” embodies high spirits as Styles repeatedly sings about “going home.” Toward the end of the track, a catchy whistling begins as Styles continues to croon on about a past memory.
TRACK NO. 11: “Treat People With Kindness”
Styles’s very own slogan now has it’s own song. The track starts with a chorus of voices singing: “Maybe we can find a place to feel good and we can treat people with kindness.” Then, Styles enters, essentially vocalizing good vibes and, well, kindness. This track is certainly the all around feel-good tune that is meant for dancing. Styles once again shows off his immense talent with yet another track entirely unlike anything he’s done before. With a steady drumbeat accompanied by guitar, piano, and trumpet, “Treat People With Kindness” closely mirrors a popular hit from decades past – the sort of song that encompasses various genres and instruments to create an entirely unforgettable track.
TRACK NO. 12: “Fine Line“
In my opinion, Styles leaves the best track for last. With the same name as the album, “Fine Line” very closely mirrors the feel of “Meet Me In the Hallway” – track number one from Styles’s previous debut album. The track starts slowly with a simple strumming of a guitar as Styles expresses a bundle of emotions in this beautiful track. Upon reaching the chorus, the piano enters, emphasizing the urgency of Styles’s gentle words as he explores the dynamics of his thoughts surrounding a relationship. Repeatedly he sings, “we’ll be a fine line,” his voice becoming more urgent by the second. As the song quickly picks up, in enters a stately trumpet and drumbeat that nicely accompanies Styles’s voice as he promises that “we’ll be alright.” The track ends with a crescendo of instruments and Styles’s strong voice as he continues to repeat the phrase. Like telling a story, “Fine Line” is the perfect way to wrap up the album – emotions, instruments and all.
With a plethora of songs ranging in style from mood, lyrics and instruments, Styles showcases the talent that he is possess as an artist. In essence, Harry Styles is a musical chameleon, trying on several different styles and tunes that all sound amazing. With upbeat hits from “Watermelon Sugar” and “Adore You” to much more somber tracks like “Falling” and “Fine Line” – there is a song for everyone on Styles’s new album Fine Line. Good luck trying to pick your favorite track – you may very well end up falling in love with all of them.
Featured Image via Instagram
