Music of Harry Styles: Why We’re Still Obsessing Over the Vinyl and the Vibes

He’s the guy who somehow made it cool to wear a feather boa while singing about fruit. Honestly, if you look at the trajectory of the music of Harry Styles, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense on paper. You have a boy band escapee who, instead of chasing the usual R&B-lite solo path, decided to pivot hard into 1970s soft rock, Laurel Canyon folk, and high-gloss synth-pop. It worked. It worked so well that he’s basically become the closest thing this generation has to a David Bowie or a Mick Jagger, though with a much softer, "Treat People With Kindness" edge.

The appeal isn’t just the hair or the Gucci suits. It’s the sound.

The Sound of the Self-Titled Shift

When Styles dropped his first solo single, "Sign of the Times," in 2017, the industry held its breath. People expected a dance track. What they got was a nearly six-minute glam-rock power ballad that sounded like it belonged on a vinyl record from 1974. It was a massive gamble. Radio stations usually hate long songs. But this track signaled exactly what the music of Harry Styles was going to be: a love letter to the past.

Working with producers like Jeff Bhasker and Tyler Johnson, Styles leaned into real instruments. You can hear the wooden crack of the drums. You can hear the fingers sliding across guitar strings. It’s "organic" in a way that most modern pop just isn't. Songs like "Carolina" and "Kiwi" proved he wasn't afraid of a little grit. "Kiwi," specifically, is just a loud, obnoxious rock song about a girl having a baby (maybe?), and it remains a highlight of his live sets because it breaks the "pop star" mold entirely.

Fine Line and the Birth of High-Concept Pop

If the first album was him proving he could play with the big boys, Fine Line was him proving he could write a hit that actually felt like him. This is where the music of Harry Styles really found its footing in the global zeitgeist. You couldn't go to a grocery store in 2020 without hearing "Watermelon Sugar." But beneath the sugary radio hits, the album was actually quite dark and introspective.

Take "Cherry." It features a voice note from his ex-girlfriend, Camille Rowe. That’s a raw, almost uncomfortable level of intimacy for a superstar. Then you have the title track, "Fine Line," which is a sprawling, brass-heavy epic that feels more like a hymn than a pop song. He’s obsessed with the "big" sound—harmonies that stack until they hit the ceiling. He’s often cited Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks as a primary influence, and you can hear that "Rumours-era" tension throughout this record.

💡 You might also like: Actor Most Academy Awards: The Record Nobody Is Breaking Anytime Soon

It’s about the "line" between being okay and not being okay. Most people miss that. They just see the colorful album cover and the flared pants, but the songwriting is steeped in a very specific kind of lonely, California-sunset sadness.

Harry’s House: The Intimacy of the Everyday

Then came 2022. Harry’s House was a pivot again.

If you listen to "As It Was," it’s fast. It’s upbeat. It sounds like something you’d dance to in a kitchen. But the lyrics are devastating. "Harry, you're no good alone / Why are you sitting on the floor? / What kind of pills are you on?" This juxtaposition is his secret weapon. He makes you dance to his depression.

The music of Harry Styles during this era became much more synth-focused. Inspired by Haruomi Hosono and the 1970s Japanese "City Pop" movement, the tracks felt lighter, airier, and more domestic. It wasn't about stadiums anymore; it was about the "house." Songs like "Matilda" showed a different side of his writing—empathetic and narrative-driven. He wasn't singing about his own heartbreak for once; he was singing to a friend about generational trauma. That’s a heavy pivot for a guy who started out singing "What Makes You Beautiful."

Why the Critics Keep Changing Their Minds

For a long time, the "serious" music press didn't know what to do with him. He was a boy bander. Therefore, he must be manufactured, right?

📖 Related: Ace of Base All That She Wants: Why This Dark Reggae-Pop Hit Still Haunts Us

Wrong.

The shift happened when critics realized he was actually doing the work. He’s not just a face; he’s a curator. He brings in musicians like Mitch Rowland—who was literally working in a pizza shop when he joined Harry’s band—and builds a real, cohesive unit. The "Love on Tour" run, which lasted nearly two years, solidified his reputation as a legacy act in the making. He isn't using backing tracks to hide behind. It’s loud, it’s live, and it’s occasionally messy.

There’s a common misconception that he’s just "cosplaying" as a rock star. Some people argue he’s "queerbaiting" or leaning too hard into the aesthetics of the 70s without the substance. But if you look at the credits, he’s a primary songwriter on almost every track. He’s obsessed with the technicality of the studio. He spent time at Shangri-La studios with Rick Rubin. You don't do that if you're just looking for a quick radio hit.

The Hidden Gems You’re Probably Skipping

Everyone knows "Adore You." But if you really want to understand the music of Harry Styles, you have to dig into the deep cuts.

1. "She" (Fine Line): This is a six-minute psychedelic trip with a massive guitar solo. It sounds more like Pink Floyd than One Direction.
2. "Ever Since New York" (Self-Titled): A haunting, repetitive folk-rock song that deals with bad news and the inability to escape it.
3. "Daydreaming" (Harry’s House): It samples the Brothers Johnson. It’s funk-heavy, brassy, and shows off a vocal range that he rarely gets credit for.
4. "Two Ghosts": A classic country-rock ballad. It’s simple, but the slide guitar work is gorgeous.

The Cultural Impact: More Than Just Tunes

It’s hard to talk about the music without talking about the fans. The "Harries" have turned his concerts into a sort of secular pilgrimage. But what’s interesting is how the music itself facilitates this. It’s inclusive. It’s "safe." Styles has created a sonic world where being "soft" is a position of power.

👉 See also: '03 Bonnie and Clyde: What Most People Get Wrong About Jay-Z and Beyoncé

His influence on the industry is tangible. You see more young male artists leaning into the "sensitive rock" aesthetic now. You see a return to analog recording techniques. He’s helped bridge the gap between "teen idol" and "respected musician" in a way few have managed since George Michael.

How to Actually Listen to Harry Styles

If you want to get the most out of his discography, stop listening on your phone speakers. Seriously. The production is too dense for that.

• Get the Vinyl: His albums are mastered specifically for record players. Fine Line especially has a warmth on vinyl that disappears on Spotify.
• Watch the Live Performances: Specifically his "Tiny Desk" concert or his 2022 Coachella set. You’ll see that the songs transform when they aren't polished by a studio.
• Listen Chronologically: You can literally hear him growing up. You hear the "I want to be a rock star" energy of the first album, the "I’m heartbroken and confused" energy of the second, and the "I’m comfortable in my own skin" vibe of the third.

Moving Forward with the Discography

The music of Harry Styles isn't going anywhere. He’s currently in a bit of a hiatus after the marathon that was "Love on Tour," but the rumors of a fourth album are already swirling. The next step for any listener—whether you’re a casual fan or a skeptic—is to look past the tabloid headlines and the fashion choices.

Start by putting on the song "Sign of the Times" and actually listening to the lyrics. Then jump to "Keep Driving." Notice the difference in how he tells a story. He’s moved from grand, sweeping metaphors to the specific details of a life lived on the road: "Cocaine, side eye / Chokeberry, low tide."

To truly appreciate what he’s doing, pay attention to the percussion. Pay attention to the way he uses space in his songs. He isn't afraid of silence. In a world of overproduced, "maximalist" pop, that’s perhaps his most rebellious act of all.

Next Steps for the Listener:

• Check out the "Behind the Album" documentary on Apple Music to see the recording process of his debut.
• Listen to the artists who inspired him: Joni Mitchell (Blue), Shuggie Otis (Inspiration Information), and Van Morrison (Astral Weeks).
• Create a playlist that mixes his solo work with 1970s soft rock to see how seamlessly he fits into that lineage.

The music is there. It’s layered, it’s referential, and honestly? It’s just really good. Stop overthinking the hype and just let the melody do the talking.