Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally: Album Review
- Eden Joseph
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
I love every song on this album, especially how each track carries a deeper meaning while still being wrapped in upbeat pop and disco sounds that keep it from feeling overly sad or heavy.
Aperture
Aperture refers to the opening in a camera lens that allows light to enter; symbolically, this means letting something into your life. This song is very beat-heavy. It starts with synth sounds, then a beat drop takes over most of the song. It definitely gives off a European Club music vibe, and it is not something you would expect him to release. Based on his live performance at the Brit Awards, we can say for sure that this is a dance song. Both the song and the video convey the idea of self-acceptance.
American Girls
American Girls is such a fun and vibey song. The song has a retro-inspired theme. I get why it's called "American Girls," because this is something I would totally listen to while driving down the streets of L.A. The lyrics are a way for him to reflect on his loneliness and see his friends with these American Girls. It's Harry realizing he wants this life too. So, even though the song is upbeat, do not get fooled, since the feeling behind it is bittersweet.
Ready, Steady, Go!
Another great dance song! It has a fun, carefree vibe. The song explores two people in a relationship, with one emotionally invested while the other may not be fully committed. So, the song's name, "Ready, Steady, Go!", means rushing into something before thinking it through. So, live in the moment and be impulsive! The intro has to be my favorite part since this song has a good buildup.
Are You Listening Yet?
Are you listening?? Because you need to!!
This is such a good funk-synth-pop song. So, it is a heavy indie electronic song. Even though this song is very disco-coded, it also has emotional aspects, especially in the lyrics. It repeatedly asks, "Are you Listening Yet?" The beat also reflects the emotional theme of the song by creating tension rather than a sense of relaxation.
Taste Back
The song is very much in the Harry's House style, though it has a stronger bass. Based on the lyrics, Harry is trying to be flirty, saying that we need a little love. The lyrics create a tension between hope and mistrust by capturing the uncertainty about whether the former lover has genuinely changed or is merely emerging from loneliness.
The Waiting Game
This one feels kind of familiar to the previous one in terms of beats and the transition. This one hits me hard right now because Harry talks about being stuck or just waiting for something to change, instead of doing something to make that change. This song is the first on the album that isn't as upbeat but is smooth. So even though this song might sound dreamy, it really is crushing.
Season 2 Weight Loss
So, according to Harry, this song is called "Season 2 Weight Loss" because he literally means that when the main characters return for another season (season 2), they look different because they now have nutritionists and trainers. Even though this is the meaning of the song, it sounds completely different then the meaning. It talks about being a better version of yourself. Talks about self-improvement, reinvention, and just growing into this new stage of life. Another Harry song with dance rhythms and this energetic rhythm,
Coming Up Roses
This is a love song about relationships that may not last forever but matter a lot in the moment. This song sounds different from the others, and that's what makes it stand out. It is more soulful and vulnerable. This song slows down the upbeat pace and shifts the focus to reflection. The orchestra comes in toward the end of the song and builds the emotional peak of the track. The song has an almost cinematic quality due to the orchestral arrangement. Rising strings and layered instrumentation convey a sense of a soundtrack moment, where everything seems larger, and emotions are intensified.
Pop
The song name is basically what the song sounds like, Pop!! It is groovy, has good beats, and is overall very catchy. This song is about spending time with someone special and making time for them again and again. The parallels between Cinema from Harry's House to this with pop are shown!
Dance No More
On my second listen, I literally started dancing. I love the funk beats; it is so groovy. It is a fun, cheeky song rather than a serious one. Harry says that this song reflects the tension between being an artist who performs for people vs. being part of the crowd dancing with them. Just experiencing music for the joy of it is what this song feels like.
Paint By Numbers
Another sad Harry song. Harry uses paint-by-number as a metaphor for relationships and identity. According to the song, people sometimes form an impression of another person by piecing together small details, much as a painter completes a painting until it appears whole. This song is also softer and mellow.
Carla's Song
So, who is Carla? Carla is Harry's friend, and they share a special moment: when Carla mentioned she'd just discovered Paul Simon, he played her "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Kathy's Song." Watching her experience the music for the first time inspired him to write "Carla's Song." He shared this in his interview with Apple Music. The moment with Carla reminded Harry of why music matters so much. Seeing someone experience a song for the first time made him think about how music can stay with someone for their entire life. This song is also softer and warmer.
Harry's return feels long overdue, and this album exceeded expectations. A ranking will have to wait as too many songs are still revealing themselves, but that's a good problem to have.
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