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How to Create a Viral Chart-Topping Song Like Tommy Richman's "Million Dollar Baby"

July 8, 2024

Creating a viral, chart-topping song is the pinnacle of success for many music creators. Tommy Richman’s "Million Dollar Baby" exemplifies how to craft a hit that resonates with a wide audience...

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Crafting Music Like Jeff Bhasker: A Guide for Aspiring Music Creators

July 2, 2024

Jeff Bhasker is a legendary figure in the music industry, celebrated for his outstanding contributions as a producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His Grammy-winning career has seen...

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The Magic of K-pop: Insights from "Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory"

June 30, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of pop music, K-pop has emerged as a global powerhouse, captivating audiences with its unique sound and stunning visuals. John Seabrook’s book, "Song Machine: Inside the...

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Blackpink’s Lisa Dominates iTunes with New Single ‘Rockstar’

June 30, 2024

Music enthusiasts and aspiring creators, take note! Blackpink’s Lisa is making waves in the U.S. with her latest single, "Rockstar." Released late on Thursday, June 27, the song quickly shot up the...

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Unlocking the Secrets of Pop Hits: Insights from "Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory"

June 30, 2024

Have you ever wondered what makes a pop song stick in your head, or how some artists consistently produce hit after hit? John Seabrook's "Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory" pulls back the...

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TWICE’s Nayeon on Solo Debut, Songwriting, and Spoilers: Insights for Aspiring Music Creators

June 27, 2024

As the eldest member of the global K-pop group TWICE, Im Nayeon embodies big sister energy: she's protective, loving, and playful. Her playful nature sometimes leads to spoilers, much to the...

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Celebrating Joyful Rebellion: Lake Street Dive's "Good Together"

June 24, 2024

In a world often divided by strife and discord, Lake Street Dive emerges with their eighth studio album, "Good Together," a jubilant testament to the power of joy and unity in music. Scheduled for...

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Kygo's Summer Serenade

June 24, 2024

Kygo, the maestro of summer vibes, returns with his self-titled album just in time to soundtrack your sun-soaked days. Released to coincide with the summer solstice, this album reaffirms Kygo's...

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Luna Shadows' 'bathwater' Album Delivers a Deep Dive into Self-Discovery and Reflection"

June 24, 2024

Luna Shadows has finally unveiled her long-awaited LP, "bathwater," a deeply personal journey through emotion and memory. Released independently on June 21st, this album marks a significant...

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Remi Wolf Unveils "Motorcycle" Featuring Stellar Collaborations

June 23, 2024

Remi Wolf, known for her vibrant and eclectic musical style, has released a new single titled "Motorcycle," featuring the talents of Kenny Beats, Leon Michels, and The Dap-Kings. Released on...

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Lava La Rue Announces Debut Album ‘STARFACE’

June 23, 2024

Lava La Rue, former Dork cover star and acclaimed London-based artist, has announced the release of their debut album, STARFACE, set to drop on June 21st, 2024, via Dirty Hit. This announcement is...

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Welcome to 'The Sweater Club' – Jelani Aryeh’s Sophomore Triumph

June 23, 2024

Jelani Aryeh’s highly anticipated album, The Sweater Club, dropped today, delivering exactly what fans have been eagerly awaiting. At 24, the San Diego native has already taken the indie-pop world...

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What Makes a Harry Styles Hook So Infectious

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Photo: Leigh Fahrion (Los Angeles Times)

On May 20, Harry Styles released his new album Harry’s House, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. This is his third studio album in which all thirteen songs are in the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100. Out of these songs, four are in the top 10: “As it Was” (No. 1), “Late Night Talking” (No. 4), “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” (No. 8), and “Matilda” (No. 9). Compared to when he was in One Direction, his music now conveys more gentle and sophisticated tones using vintage guitars and psychedelic harmonies. This new album features pop-funk, pop rock, synth-pop and R&B styles, focusing on topics in life like love and heartbreak.

The lead single, “As it Was”, is tied for longest running number one of the year so far with “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” at 7 weeks. The song was written and produced by Harry, Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, and unlike many of Harry’s rock-oriented tones, this song is a guitar-driven synth-pop track. With the focus on transition and loneliness, the music video with dancer Mathilde Lin, also creates a negative emotional feeling and mysterious tone to the song with its unique choreography.

Photo: Harry’s House Album Cover

This isn’t Harry’s first time achieving such great results. “Watermelon Sugar” from his last album Fine Line also became number one and later on, was awarded Song of the Year. So what makes us keep listening to his music.

Harry specializes in many forms of music, and the catchy tune and lyrics have stuck to the brains of its listeners, infecting them with his music. The relatable topics and mysterious nature of his songs bring people in to listen over and over. Harry can create his own unique world through his music. As humans, we carry many complicated emotions that are often difficult to express. We believe that the gentle yet intense, happy yet sorrowful music Harry produces speaks to our hearts, and helps express those difficult emotions. Harry does a great job targeting certain feelings in each song which is why we can’t stop ourselves from loving him and his music.

Harry has recently announced his Fall Residency Tour starting in August. We look forward to seeing his progression in the music industry and how he will spread his musical talent around the world.