By Brigid Amoroso

Staff Writer

On Jan. 15, 2026, Harry Styles announced his fourth studio album, titled “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” Just a few days after the announcement, he released the lead single, “Aperture,” accompanied by a music video. “Aperture” received mixed reviews from audiences,

particularly dedicated fans, due to a unique sound that marked a significant departure from his previous musical catalog.

His previous album, “Harry’s House,” was released nearly four years ago in May 2022. That record was highly regarded by critics and fans alike, winning both Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards. The lead single, “As It Was,” was a major hit, remaining at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 consecutive weeks.

Styles’ first two solo albums, “Harry Styles” and “Fine Line,” were also commercial and critical successes. His single from “Fine Line,” “Watermelon Sugar,” was his first song to top the Billboard Hot 100. These albums are generally beloved by his fanbase, many of whom have followed him since his time in the boy band One Direction.

In 2010, Styles auditioned for the reality television show “The X Factor,” alongside Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne. Despite none of them winning the competition, judges Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger are credited with forming the group. After the show, One Direction catapulted into global fame, releasing five studio albums over five years. In 2015, the band began an indefinite hiatus.

Each member continued to pursue solo careers. Zayn Malik was the first to release a solo album, followed by Styles approximately a year later. While each of their solo careers has grown over the last decade, Styles has reached a level of stardom that surpasses the group’s initial peak.

Despite the success of his first three albums, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” is quickly becoming his most controversial work. Fans have been divided, with some embracing the change while others remain indifferent, leading to constant comparisons across his discography.

After the release of “Aperture,” fans immediately recognized the shift in style. While “Harry Styles,” “Fine Line,” and “Harry’s House” were primarily considered pop-rock inspired by the 1970s and 1980s, the new record turns toward dance-pop, inspired by the clubs Styles attended during his time away from the spotlight.

Styles explained that he wanted to create an album that captured the atmosphere of those clubs. In an interview with Zane Lowe, he said, “The record for me is about: how do I still have my experience while I’m playing it? It was like, what music do I have to make for me to be on stage feeling like I’m in the middle of the dance floor?”

Released on March 6, 2026, the album consists of 12 tracks in the dance-pop genre. It opens with “Aperture,” followed by “American Girls,” the album’s second single. Currently, “Aperture” sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “American Girls” has climbed to No. 4. Every track from the album is currently positioned within the top 100.

In January, Styles announced a tour via Instagram, with shows scheduled in New York, Melbourne, Sydney, London, Amsterdam, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo. He also performed the album live in Manchester on its release day; the concert was recorded and released on Netflix two days later.

At the Brit Awards in late February, Styles performed “Aperture” live for the first time. On March 14, he served as both the host and musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” where he performed “Dance No More” and “Coming Up Roses.”

While some fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the new direction, others are embracing the sound. The record earned 430,000 album units in its first week. For comparison, “Harry’s House” earned approximately 520,000 units during its debut week. Despite the mixed reviews, the overall impression of the album may continue to evolve as the tour begins.