“Fine Line” by Harry Styles

By Nina Raemont 

After two and a half years of silence from one of the most iconic descendants of the boy band music industry, Harry Styles released his sophomore album, “Fine Line.” Styles established himself in 2017 with his self-titled album, avant-garde fashion taste, and growing fanbase consisting of 1D stans old and new and Beliebers who have rightfully converted.

“Fine Line” shows maturity and intense emotion, with hints of self-deprecation and an emotionally aware Harry who acts as the narrator of a tale of bright love turned heart-wrenching separation. “Golden,” the first song off the album, reminds me of the honeymoon stage of any relationship where things are almost “too bright” to feel real. Through swanky background vocals and touches of piano, Styles effectively paints a picture of an idealized relationship. No matter the song, Harry’s ability to bring the listener into his story, through his use of instruments and vocals, is strong. 

In the experimental songs of pleasure and self-acceptance, like “Watermelon Sugar,” Styles alludes to forbidden fruit—a tired metaphor, in my opinion—to implicate his sexuality and in “Lights Up,” he urges you to consider whether “you know who you are.” The vulnerable ballads, like “Cherry” and “Falling,” contextualize his breakup and demonstrate an acknowledgment of his mistakes. The second half of the album provides songs that don’t particularly fit within the theme of the album but are enjoyable nonetheless. 

In “Fine Line,” Harry dipped his toes into the experimental waters to test his ability as a songwriter and musician. He proved successful, showing depth and quirk, but has room to grow and cultivate his own voice and (no pun intended) direction.