Harry Styles - Aperture
People keep complaining about white man mediocre music. Let’s see how they react when a white man actually does something new — before they go right back to complaining about white man mediocre music again.
Harry Styles has done the best thing an artist can do after reaching absolute success with three studio albums under his belt. Arena tours followed by stadium-level fame, Album of the Year at the Grammys, massive sales numbers, genuine love from listeners, and full industry recognition. Harry’s House brought him professional awards that many people in the stan community have probably never even heard of. And the choice he makes after all of that is… experimentation.
Yes, it’s risky. Yes, it can be scary. But this is exactly how it should be if you want to be an Artist. Music is fluid. Creativity is diverse. When you’re already operating on his level, your audience isn’t going to run away. And if you truly have creative potential and want to be a visionary, you have to take risks. Harry Styles takes that risk.
Because “Aperture”, the lead single from Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, is something we’ve never heard from Harry Styles before. And it’s something that could be taken very divisive by some listeners — even those who are used to Harry trying different things across albums, but still within a more or less strictly pop framework. “Aperture” is barely pop at all. It’s definitely not the techno some people tried to promise and market, but it’s also not another 80s synth-pop throwback. Instead, it’s a really tasteful mix of everything.
There’s synth-pop here, EDM elements, disco influences, maybe even some light techno. You could even argue that there are traces of new wave. And all of this comes together once again under the careful guidance of Kid Harpoon, who worked on Harry’s previous projects and managed to adapt with him to something new.
First of all, the length. 5 minutes and 11 seconds for a lead single is a bold move. But this isn’t the first time Harry Styles allows himself to take a risk simply because he can — and because he chooses to use that freedom. Remember “Sign of the Times” as his debut single?
Second, “Aperture” is a fairly intriguing song about finding love, some kind of meaning, and clarity around yourself. It’s hard to say anything genius about the lyrics — they’re quite simple, sometimes even a bit disconnected.
“It’s best you know / What you don’t.”
Hardly a revelation. But the real power of this track lies in the instrumentals. A strong, memorable beat, a hooky chorus that sticks, and a great bridge. I wouldn’t say the beginning of the song knocks you off your feet or represents the best part of the composition, but the way it slowly and confidently unfolds has its own kind of epic.
The techno-inspired elements might explain why the song doesn’t follow the usual pop progression we’re used to from artists like Harry. The track cuts off quite abruptly in some places, without a clear climax or traditional payoff. Instead, it carries that specific vibe that draws people into techno music — the kind that lets you drift elsewhere while being “inside” the music the DJ is playing right now. At the same time, there are familiar and accessible elements that pull you in and lock you into the hook.
And because Harry has the privilege of people coming back and giving him more chances — listening again, and maybe again — the song slowly reveals itself more with each listen. That’s its strength.
In the end, “Aperture” is a non-typical, risky, non-radio-friendly track that once again reminds us that we’re dealing with Harry Styles: an artist aiming for a long career that spans decades, someone ready to make non-obvious and unsafe moves to get there.
Now is the time to put on your headphones, turn on Aperture, and awkwardly dance alone (or together) in your room.
8.0/10
