It may appear that I am simply writing this post as an opportunity to fangirl over Harry Styles one year after the release of his second record 'A Fine Line'. And that may may full well be correct.
After the split of One Direction in 2015, Styles broke his silence with the drop of his moody ballad 'Sign of the Times' in 2017, soon to be followed by his first self-titled solo album. It would be unfaithful to say, I hadn't been waiting since 2015 for its release, and I probably still overplay til this day. However, when 'Fine Line' was dropped one year ago, I was in awe from the first listen. Encapsulating the honesty of Styles' seemingly complicated relationships alongside his experience of euphoria and love, this record felt so authentic and close to Harry himself. The success of this masterpiece is clear from the 14 Platinums to its name and the fact we are all still LIVING for its video releases one year on. Could it be argued the 'Watermelon Sugar' video - the reel 'dedicated to touching' - saved us mid-lockdown? Absolutely. Anyway, I thought I'd take a pause from the Harry reels on TikTok, and rank the track list of 'Fine Line' after one year of it being my top album for my Spotify Wrapped 2020.
12. 'Canyon Moon'
I've got to admit, I love a bit of lyrical imagery and this track is so reminiscent of an imaginary memory of mine under the Canyon Moon of LA. It feels bittersweet and nostalgic and is rumoured to be Stevie Nick's favourite track from the album. Unfortunately, comparable with some of the other track, I had to place it 12th. In an ideal world they'd all be in the Top 3.
11. 'Treat People With Kindness'
This song has all the good vibes and actually makes me want to go 'find a place to feel good'. I adore the catchy choir-like chorus and the message of the track is just what we needed in this hellish year. Also, the recent music video drop featuring Phoebe Waller-Bridge revived the track, exciting fans all over again. This alongside the theory of Waller-Bridge representing Style's inner-femininity in the video really made me scream and I will cling to it forever.
10. 'Adore You'
I am kicking myself under the table for placing this song tenth, and I'm wondering if my jealousy that Harry didn't write this song about me is coming into my decision-making here. It's repetitive, vibrant, simple and definitely makes me bop. Overall, a sensational Pop track that makes boogie in the kitchen and sing all the falsetto notes.
9. 'Sunflower, Vol.6'
Harry's Libra moon and ascending sign really do be showing in this track with scenes of kissing in the kitchen and referring to his lover as a sunflower. I love the Californian guitar melodies breaking up this song and the overlapped vocal lines really do put across the dreaminess of the track. Again, Styles' signature lyrical imagery pull us out of reality for a few minutes.
8. 'To Be So Lonely'
I loved the NPR Tiny Desk performance of this track with Harry addressing the fact that much of his fans sing 'I'm just arrogant son of a b**** who can't admit when he's sorry' the loudest of many of his lyrics. The confessional tone of this record is honest and authentic, following some others of Harry's more authentic songs like 'Falling' or 'Cherry' on the album. It's stripped back use of guitalele brings in the American East coastal tone of the album, reflecting a simple life on the beach.
7. 'She'
The sliding guitar in this track is seductive with Style's soft vocals overlapping its verses. The guitar embellishments and accented drums make it the 'Kiwi' of this album for me - LOVE. A performance of this on the Victoria's Secret runway please...
6. 'Lights Up'
A confession: I was unsure of this song at first listen. With its significant breakdowns, I struggled to enjoy the flow of the song. However, with more listens it has gradually become one of my favourites. The breakdowns with their isolated vocals and twinkly piano melodies provide magic to the song and give the album depth being the fourth song in, preparing us for 'Cherry' and 'Falling' coming immediately after it.
5. 'Watermelon Sugar'
Undoubtedly this song's music video was a sexual awakening for many us halfway through lockdown and arguably held mid-2020 up. As one of my most-played songs of this year, this track brings back memories of sunbathing in my back garden whilst imagining I was on the beaches of California with Harry and his posse of models. It's catchy, cheeky and gives us all sunshine in a track.
4. 'Cherry'
Styles has created a journey with song through its intro and outro which make use of voice recordings of Style's previous partner Camille Rowe. The voice notes of Rowe, known as 'Cou Cou' in the relationship, and chorus of this song ('don't you call him baby') leave a sense of emptiness for the listener, really portraying the sense of loss and heartbroken jealously in the song.
3. 'Golden'
It says what it does on the label. This record is a boost of energy from the get-go and takes us on a trip with Styles running through the hills of the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Being the first track on the album, it sets an uplifting tone for the first section of the record. The video is... exquisite.
2. 'Falling'
This track broke me in the best sense a song can. A piano ballad expressing the wrenching self-reflection an individual experiences after a breakup. It uncomfortably puts the listener in Styles' shoes of intense loneliness. Styles himself stated in his interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, it was written at 'one of the lowest points in [his] life'. The longing of this track has the power to transport fans to the dark scene Styles sets - 'I'm in my bed and you're not here'.
1. 'Fine Line'
The title track and the perfect ending to the journey of this album. It is rumoured 'fine line' is a metaphorical line between euphoria and deep unhappiness, the fine edge two individuals stand on in a relationship. Instrumentally, Fine Line's build up and drop is fulfilling and emotional with its feature of brass instruments and a prominent musical solos. It's lessening volume ending the song feels like Harry is giving us a final release of tears at the end of his second masterpiece of an album. It is the grand finale, calling for the curtains to close and leave us with all the emotions.
Thank you to Harry + his team for creating this record just when we needed it and for providing me with a song for every emotion.
In case you missed it - 'Fine Line' is available on all streaming platforms now.
Commentaires