Harry Styles’ third solo album, “Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally,” is set for release on March 6, marking a return to music following a period of personal recalibration after an extensive touring schedule.
Styles concluded his “Love On Tour” shows in summer 2023, a run that spanned 22 months. However, the singer has been continuously engaged in public life since the formation of One Direction in 2010, followed by the launch of his solo career in 2017, which saw the release of three albums within five years. His previous album, “Harry’s House,” garnered significant acclaim, winning Album of the Year at both the Grammy Awards and the Brit Awards.
The demanding pace of his career prompted a need for respite. “It was time for me to stop for a bit and pay some attention to other parts of my life,” Styles recently told The Times. He questioned his reliance on the “dopamine hits” associated with performing, admitting a fear of what might happen if the momentum ceased. “I hadn’t actually removed myself from it and it’s hard to eliminate the doubt that maybe if it all went away, I’d really miss it.”
Following the tour’s conclusion, Styles relocated to Italy, where he embraced a modern focus on physical endurance, taking up marathon running. This period also involved a deliberate effort to reconnect with his passion for music as a listener. He described a desire to “fall in love with music all over again”, experiencing the joy of being part of an audience.
“I went to see LCD Soundsystem a couple times… and it was just so joyous, when you’re watching them be so immersed in it,” Styles told BBC Radio 1’s Greg James. “I think the inspiration from them came of, ‘Oh, that’s how I want to feel when I’m on stage’. And then that led to the kind of music I was making.”
The influence of this renewed perspective is expected to be evident in “Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally.” While details regarding the album’s specific themes and sound remain largely undisclosed, the shift in Styles’ approach suggests a potential evolution in his artistic direction.
News of the album release followed congratulations from former One Direction bandmates Liam Payne and Niall Horan after Styles’ “Harry’s House” won Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Payne shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, stating Styles “deserve[d] every millisecond of that moment looking down smiling at the trophy you’ve earned.” Horan posted a photo of his television on Instagram Stories as Styles accepted the award, writing, “Very proud.”
