Album Review: Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally
- Amanda Sykes-Quirk
- Mar 13
- 4 min read
by Amanda-Sykes Quirk
Genre: Pop/Electronic
After years of anticipation, HS4 was finally released at midnight, March 6th, and it did not disappoint. Harry Styles’ fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally., is officially here. I think we can agree the motto for this era is “Dance All The Time, Cry, Occasionally.” Unlike his previous records, Harry Styles, Fine Line, and Harry’s House, which balanced classic pop with house influences and heavy hitting ballads, this album is more focused on movement and joy. It is a no skip, perfect addition to his discography.
The lead single, “Aperature”, successfully teased the record's vibe while keeping us completely in the dark. From my first listen, I wasn’t sure, but now I can say I’ve warmed up to her. The first section felt like the club scene in Heated Rivalry. It is a perfect club track that sets up the listener for more high energy tracks that follow.
Harry then manages to make me feel proud to be an American girl with “American Girls”. A light airy disco-techno track. The way he delivers certain lines tickles the “One Direction” part of my brain. While this track is not necessarily one with a lot of meaning, it is definitely fun and very danceable. It serves as the perfect transition for the meatier parts of the album.
This record’s “dirty” track, “Ready, Steady, Go!” is an immediate invitation to the dance floor. While the lyrics lean into more mature themes, the vibe is what really got me. The piano adds a “rushed” feeling that makes the song feel alive. We get a taste of the Italian he has to be picking up spending all that time in Rome.
From there we hit, “Are You Listening Yet?”. This one gave me everything I have been craving since HS1. It explores the anxiety of ignoring your gut instinct when it is screaming the obvious choice. The heavy drums help to convey this anxiety and are complemented by the experimental touches like laser-gun sound effects. This song is definitely going to be a fun one on tour.
As someone who is leaving for Paris in six months, I’m biased toward “Taste Back”. This song would have fit perfectly to describe this last season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. It captures the specific feeling of talking to an ex again “Not quite ‘here we go again’//but how’ve you been” The track is a guessing game of feelings, questioning if someone finally got their “taste back” after a poor decision.
This leads into the electro-pop energy of “The Waiting Game”. Which captures the feeling of attempting to fill a void of something you are waiting for to happen. The specific pain of constantly trying “and it all adds up to nothing”. I can’t tell if he was writing this for himself or if this is for someone he watched go through this feeling.
One of the most intriguing titles “Season 2 Weight Loss”, really delivers through its techno instrumentals and heavy lyrics. Seemingly a plea for someone to love him. The line “Let the light come in once in a while” feels like a beg for this person to let go a little and let him in. But it could also be interpreted as waiting for someone to love you after you have changed for them.
My beloved, “Coming Up Roses”. I first heard this song leaked on Tiktok from a DJ’s set last week and I immediately fell in love. It is the undisputed champion of this album. It is the first truly slow, sad song, backed by a heavy string ensemble. It’s perfect, no notes! It’s the only song on KATTDO that has made me tear up every time I hear it. The most beautiful part is this being the only song on the album Harry is the sole lyricist on. It may even rival “Satellite” for me.
The energy picks up with Cinema’s younger sister “Pop”. It’s flirty and rhythmic. It explores the urge to indulge in bad habits. It is like Cinema in its mature theme, but not as high energy. It will again be one that is very fun in concert and in the car with my friends this summer.
The first guitar heavy song on the album “Dance No More” , a track that's name gives away how it will make everyone dance. The instrumentals are the most disco feeling on the album, which I really enjoy. It is a very fun track that uses experimental voice effects to give an internal voice that answers Harry’s question lines. Be ready to “Move it side to side with your hands up high” on tour.
The emotional centerpiece of the album “Paint By Numbers”, joins “Matilda” and “Fine Line” in most heart wrenching. His vocals in this one feel less like self reflection but a letter to someone else—a part of me wants this to be for Liam Payne. It is a beautiful reflection on overthinking and stunting your own growth.
The perfect ending to this great album “Carla’s Song” a hopeful, beautifully written track. Singing of the future and new doors opening with the repetition of “It’s all waiting there for you”. This song gave me the familiar feeling of that summer before college when a new beginning is being realized.
Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally. is a stunning addition to Harry’s Discography. The beginning of a new Harry era is upon us. One where the music feels more personal to him and less written for the fans. We are very lucky to be listening. And to those of you going to tour be prepared to dance and have so much fun!
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