By Giulia Gutzwiller, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Harry Styles’ newest album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” lives up to its name with romantic lyrics and danceable beats, but ultimately plays it safe for general audience enjoyment. 

As one of the biggest male pop artists in the industry, Styles can only innovate his sound to a certain extent; his music still has to be profitable and appeal to all audiences for him to maintain his success. As a result, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” feels more like a cash-grab than a meaningful piece of art. 

“Aperture,” the album’s first track, was the first single released on Jan. 22, followed by its accompanying music video. The song starts out slow and melancholy, but it flourishes into the perfect electric pop song for a crowded dancefloor. Styles sings about accepting love in his life and repeats the catchy phrase “we belong together” in the song’s chorus. 

After hearing “Aperture,” it seemed like the album would lean in a more experimental direction, with Styles deviating from his traditional sound. Although, upon listening to the rest of the album, most of the tracks are similar to the hits that turned Styles into a pop icon. 

Following “Aperture” in the tracklist is “American Girls,” a song that sounds like it came from his One Direction era. While it includes a catchy bassline and an earworm of a chorus, it does not display Styles’ true artistic abilities. 

Songs like “Pop,” “Taste Back” and “Ready, Steady, Go!” are lighthearted and energetic, but have little to offer beyond those qualities. They are repetitive and generic, making them all blend together. 

Written about a transformative night out, “Dance No More” stands out as one of the album’s best tracks. Styles highlights how music has the power to bring people together and evoke powerful emotions. It is impossible not to bust a move when this song comes on, as it transports the listener to the bustling nightclub scene that inspired the track. 

Styles briefly pauses the synth beats for more sentimental songs like “Coming Up Roses” and “Paint By Numbers.” These songs highlight Styles’ writing and storytelling abilities, which are not present throughout the rest of “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” 

The album concludes with “Carla’s Song,” an emotional ballad reminiscent of his 2019 hit “Fine Line.” Styles takes a look at his own discography and fame in this song, repeating the line, “I know what you like, you can hear it anytime.” Styles recognizes the importance of making music that resonates with audiences, and how music truly stands the test of time. 

This song’s heartfelt message is undermined by Styles succumbing to the pressure of capitalizing on his popularity, and unfortunately hindering his creativity. Other than a few stellar tracks on “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally,” this project is missing some signature Styles flair.