A Review: "Harry's House" The Album
I have to admit that I do not listen to Harry Styles regularly. Don’t get me wrong, I was a BIG One Direction girlie back in the days (I stayed up til midnight to stream Made in the A.M.) and Harry was one of my favorites (second to Niall, obvi). But I stopped listening to him once 1D broke up and while I enjoyed a few of his songs here and there, it’s not until recently when I decided to give his music another try. Thanks to TikTok, and his ever-lovely concert dances, I fell in love with him all over again like it was 2012 and What Makes You Beautiful just released.
So, when he announced his new album Harry’s House, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I wanted to dive in and be obsessed, but what about the other dedicated true fans of Harry Styles? But then I thought, that’s incorrect—who cares how long you’ve been a fan, when all that matters is the music and the art that the artist creates. (Same thing with Taylor Swift!!) So, here’s my review of the entire album of Harry’s House, song by song and then by the end, I’ll reveal my favorite songs and what songs tore my heart open.
Made for A Sushi Restaurant
This song title 👏 The song already begins with a bop, and as I’m writing this, I’m bopping my shoulders to its catchy beat. It literally sounds like a song you would hear in a restaurant (LOL). I think it’s a catchy, upbeat song that honestly, I would do anything to see this man perform this song in concert (just like the rest of these songs). The music gives off 70s vibes and it takes me right back to his previous album like “Adore You” and “Golden.”
Late Night Talking
Another bop as I’m instantly dancing in my seat while listening to this song. “If you’re feeling down, I just wanna make you happy…” I just KNOW that this is a love song and maybe towards Olivia Wilde?? “I can’t get you off my mind…,” I mean, it’s obviously about her, right? It’s just such a good song to put on in the car and sing at the top of your lungs.
Grapejuice
This song … I have to listen to it a few times for it to really sink in. Three songs into the album and he’s really giving a lot of bops. It has definitely slowed down compared to “Made for a Sushi Restaurant” and “Late Night Talking” and I like it. It still has a catchy beat but his lyrics are much more soulful and thoughtful. I think this is a song that I’d love to just chill with.
As It Was
Probably one of my FAVORITE songs by far … and not because it was released as a single. Now THIS is a bop. Dare I say … #songofthesummer?? I think that most people speculate that this song is about Olivia Wilde, but honestly? Like Taylor Swift, I think Harry Styles is just an incredibly talented storyteller and songwriter. Like Taylor Swift, he is creative. The lyrics come from his heart and that amazing imagination that both artists have. But that’s not to say that it’s not about Olivia Wilde. I still think it could definitely be about her.
Daylight
No, this is not “Daylight” by Taylor Swift. Was I hoping that Taylor Swift collaborated with Harry Styles? Yes. (Still holding out hope for Style feat. Harry Styles on 1989 Taylor’s Version). I like this song — it’s Track Five, which means nothing if you’re not a Swiftie, but I think Track Fives for Taylor Swift are more emotional and I haven’t listened to much to say that’s a trend across the music industry overall, but I would say that I like his more emotional track five. HOWEVER, I would say this song gives off a 70s rock vibe. I imagine this song being featured in the movie/show version of Daisy Jones & The Six — isn’t that going to be a show?
Little Freak
Weirdly, I love this song. I think it ranks as one of my favorite songs off the album. It’s for sure a heartbreak/breakup anthem — the sad song that we all wanted this summer. It’s the song that you sing because you can’t get over someone you know you can’t have, like an ex or someone like that. I was listening to this while working and actually just had to stop working and really allow the lyrics to catch me and take my breath away. (I’ve since played this 3x in a row.) It’s more of an emotional song and definitely gives off “Red (Taylor’s Version)” vibes (the album, not the song). I think it gives off “The Moment I Knew” or “I Almost Do” vibes. The song starts out with a drum beat that symbolizes my heart beating waiting for Harry Styles to drop those lyrics. He says “I was thinking about that delicate point of view …” like was that a reference to Taylor Swift? I need to know. 👀
Matilda
Definitely a more emotional and slower song — the music style slows down and it’s soulful and thoughtful, sort of like Grapejuice but with a more empathetic twist. This song HIT me right in the feels. (Honestly, when I listen to this song I think of the famed classic book/movie Matilda and that’s what he wrote about.) I think this song is going to be the most well-liked song on the album, and while I think that’s true (already it’s popular on TikTok), I think he has better songs. STILL, I love the slowed-down music and lyrics and the thoughtful lyrics he drops in the song.
Cinema
I like the more upbeat music in this song, compared to “Matilda” and “Little Freak.” It has a more laid back acoustic vibe than “As It Was.” I can definitely play this song in the car but honestly, I can play this when I’m reading or writing — it has a lofi vibe and great for background music. What a talent that Harry Styles is. As I listen to it again and again, the more I like the catchy beat and again, a perfect song to play in the background. Also, the song itself is this album’s “Watermelon Sugar” but without the euphemisms. LOL.
Daydreaming
Okay … this is shaping up to be one of my favorite songs. I love the easygoing, relaxed, yet still upbeat music that he has with this song. I don’t quite have any opinions on “Daydreaming,” but I like it. It’s a song I’d play and not skip.
Keep Driving
Again — so far, I think this song is one of my favorite songs on the album. This is the song that I want to play in the car with the windows rolled down while my boyfriend drives with one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on my knee — while we’re driving down a back road with the wind in my hair. I don’t know if I described it well, but there’s an image in my mind.
Satellite
Why does this song give me a space vibe? Put the song title aside, I just imagine this song to be in a Marvel movie (LOL — he is supposed to be in the next Eternals or stand-alone Marvel movie soon 👀). Again, like “Cinema,” I see this as a great background music song that puts me in a chill mood.
Boyfriends
What was in the sauce when Harry Styles created this song?? A 10/10 masterpiece. Do I think it’s my favorite song on the album? Probably not. But it’s definitely in my top five. Its sweet, melodic lyrics definitely reveal his more emotional side. I love the stripped-down music and lyrics and we get to hear Harry’s voice and raw talent.
Love of My Life
Last but certainly not least, Harry Styles concluded his third album with “Love of Your Life.” And it’s the perfect heartbreak/breakup anthem … and while I would love to hear the deeper meaning behind this song, and specifically who is the inspiration behind this song, he captures the hearts of many (including mine) with his truthful and soulful music and lyrics in this song.
Okay, overall — what are my top five favorite songs on the album? These songs are the songs that I’d play no matter what, no skips. I think my list goes as following, in no particular order: Little Freak, Matilda, As It Was, Cinema, and Keep Driving. Are those opinions like everyone else? Maybe. But I love the range that Harry Styles includes on this album — how he can go from Late Night Talking and As It Was to heartbreaking, gut-wrenching songs like Little Freak and Matilda is beyond me. Overall, 10/10 masterpiece to Harry Styles. You’ve got a fan in me.