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Charli XCX: Reinventing Pop Music

November 18, 2024

Since her debut album, *True Romance*, in 2013, Charli XCX has been reshaping the world of pop, setting herself apart with her daring, synth-driven sound and unconventional style. Early on, her...

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Harry Styles’ Last Tour and His Well-Deserved Break: A Journey of

November 18, 2024

Harry Styles has become one of the most captivating performers of this generation, and his last tour, “Love on Tour,” was a testament to his evolution from boy band member to solo superstar...

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Metro Boomin: The Architect Behind Modern Hip-Hop

November 14, 2024

In the changing landscape of hip-hop, few producers have done more than Metro Boomin. His signature sound and sonic innovation have made him not only the most popular star in the industry but has...

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Adele’s Triumphant Return: The Impact of Her Music on Healing and Resilience

November 14, 2024

Few artists capture life’s rawest emotions like Adele. From her breakout album “19” to her latest release “30,” her music has consistently resonated with listeners, offering comfort and strength...

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Arctic Monkeys: Tracing the Growth and Lasting Influence of the UK’s Iconic Band

November 14, 2024

As their first UK tour since 2018 quickly approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable journey and lasting impact of one of the UK’s most cherished bands: Arctic Monkeys...

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The Mastermind behind the Game of Thrones soundtrack - Ramin Djawadi

November 14, 2024

Ramin Djawadi, a German composer of Iranian descent, has established himself as one of the most innovative and influential composers in Hollywood, particularly through his work on the HBO series...

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Sabrina Carpenter: Rising Beyond Challenges to Shine in the Music World

November 13, 2024

Sabrina Carpenter’s journey from a young Disney star to a full-fledged pop sensation is a story of resilience, evolution, and unwavering passion. More than just an actress-turned-singer, Carpenter...

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Mitski: Redefining Modern Womanhood Through Music

November 13, 2024

In today’s music scene, few artists capture the complexities of womanhood as honestly as Mitski Miyawaki. Known simply as Mitski, she’s become a powerful voice for the modern woman, exploring...

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The Artistry and Impact of Raye: A Dynamic Voice in Modern Pop Music

November 13, 2024

British singer-songwriter Raye, born Rachel Agatha Keen, has carved out a distinct space in the contemporary music scene with her soul-stirring lyrics and unique voice. Known for her candidness and...

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Unlocking the Art of Confessional Songwriting with Gracie Abrams

November 13, 2024

In an industry bursting with noise, Gracie Abrams has mastered the rare art of making listeners lean in. Her songs, built on confessional storytelling, cut through the clutter by speaking directly...

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Olivia Rodrigo: Giving Voice to Gen-Z's Fear, Anger, and Anxiety

November 13, 2024

Olivia Rodrigo’s music resonates deeply with Gen-Z. Her songs—raw, fierce, and honest—are filled with fear, anger, and anxiety, emotions that define the reality of today’s teens. As much as we’d...

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How Taylor Swift Masterminded Her Way to Global Success

November 11, 2024

Taylor Swift’s success is no accident; it's built on an unmatched knack for songwriting. According to Toby Koenigsberg, Associate Professor and Chair of Popular Music, Swift’s songs are both...

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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.