When you first play the album, you are met with the opening song Music for a Sushi Restaurant a title as odd as the lyrics. The song has a lot of food analogies, but in all honesty, I was all for it. This song for me, felt like the album was going to be different from the last and was really a strong start into seeing what Harry was experimenting with this time around. It took a very 80s synthesiser and techno turn and felt like it was in very close relation to a late 80s Prince song, a concept I was hoping would continue through the album (but then again, I am an avid listener of Prince).
It didn’t exactly.
With this album I was mostly concerned with the song arrangement. We started off with a strong start, Music for a Sushi Restaurant, Late Night Talking and, Grapejuice but after that it felt disjointed. From As it Was to Matilda (tracks 4-7) it felt like to me, we were back into his comfort sound, songs with the same tempo, layered voices and harmonies and minimal instruments. However, Matilda was a turning point in the album and any subsequent song after felt new and as if Harry experimented with different sounds, captivating this 70s disco inspiration and the classic use of the wah wah pedal. Although I am all for a turning point, it felt as if Harry changed his mind suddenly for what he wanted for the album and returned to this new experimented sound.
If you were looking for something that is quintessentially Harry Styles and Fine Line I wouldn’t falter this album, however for me, I found that this album wasn’t overly enthralling and felt as if he was remaining safe in what he knows gets him views/money.
Overall, 3.5/5