Harry Styles released his newest and sophomore album Fine Line on December 13th and after a few listens, I have reached my final thoughts! This album is what I consider to be Styles’ wildcard album; similar to that of Sargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band by The Beatles. You can detect Styles’ psychedelic rock influences musically and through each of the album art below) While Fine Line is composed of several tunes of heartbreak and the tribulations of getting over the one that got away, it also contains several tracks that felt like a separate album all together. Knowing Harry’s past of running against the grain, I wouldn’t be surprised if the album was intended to be a collage of various genres and narratives. Read below as I break down my thoughts of all twelve tracks.
1. Golden
The album opens with an upbeat breakup song that though sounds campy, is actually quite sad lyrically. Its got some of the rock elements of Styles’ self titled album but with notes of a recent lost love. It’s the perfect way to set the tone of the album as Styles has often referred to Fine Line as being about being lonely in the wake of a serious breakup. I also thought the metaphor of this love as being something burning and passionate such as the sun was an interesting comparison. This can be heard in the lyrics: “I know you were way too bright for me. I’m hopeless, broken, So you wait for me in the sky.” A few tracks down, Styles refers to “summer skies” yet again in the third track Adore You.
2. Watermelon Sugar
Perhaps one of the more ambiguous of songs in terms of lyrics, Styles creates a rock anthem that can only be described as the sister track to Kiwi (seen in his first album). Again, Styles uses fruits as metaphors for things other than the obvious subject. Many have suggested the lyrics to be of a sensual nature or about the heightening of senses when using psychedelics. (Which Styles has admitted to taking to expand the music making process) However, when asked about the song’s true subject, Styles states it is up to the listener to decide what the song is truly about. Personally, I think this is another fun rock track created to throw off listeners. (In a good way) Styles has a way of creating fun tracks that even when you’ve heard it a million times, you’re still left wondering what exactly he meant. Watermelon Sugar is fun, unique and incredibly catchy. Give it a listen, I can bet you’ll be humming the chorus all day! A solid track and we’re only two songs in!
3. Adore You
Adore You is one of my top favorite tracks on the album! It’s got the greatest bass and guitar riffs with a little bit of synth giving a nearly 80s vibe. Styles’ falsettos also add an angelic touch that can do no wrong. I can’t truly describe what exactly it is that I love about this song other than the fact that it’s incredibly good. There’s something endearing about the melodies that make the song so unique and just an overall favorite. Style’s guitarist Mitch Rowland adds some pretty stellar riffs which makes the song even better!
4. Light’s Up
The track that started it all. Lights Up marks the return of Harry Styles and his sophomore album, Fine Line. Styles began marketing the song through ambiguous posters that read “Do You Know Who You Are?” Each poster donned a small Columbia Records logo at the bottom. Being the detectives that are, fans all over began to speculate his return, and they were indeed onto something. Light’s Up is an interesting track and felt like an honest song about finding yourself in the middle of rising fame. Another great track.
5. Cherry
This is my second favorite track on the album and I have to say, it’s a very close first but, I’ll save that one in a minute. Cherry is one of those songs that I imagine will be used for soundtracks in the years to come. It’s got a really earthy tone to it and goes back to Styles’ classic rock sound from his first album. Cherry is where we really see Styles open up about his previous relationship with model Camille Rowe. The song speaks of Styles’ jealousy towards Rowe’s new relationship and how part of her is still with him. It’s a song that anyone who’s ever had their heartbroken can sympathize with. Cherry is beautiful, perfect and everything it should be. The end of the track features a brief recording of Camille in what appears to be a phone conversation. There’s something about her voice at the end that is so heartbreaking yet so beautiful. Chills!
6. Falling
This is where I bring out the tissues. Falling is truly the greatest song Harry has ever written and I can say with complete sincerity that it is one of the greatest songs I have heard in at least the last five years. It’s simple piano arrangement and raspy vocals create a sense of disparity and grief over a love that meant a great deal to him. Falling is a track that will be one of the best songs to hear live on tour. (I really hope I get the chance to!) Every time I listen to it, I get goosebumps. The song stresses the fear that the relationship that seemed so real and steady will be easily forgotten which is one of the most relatable aspects of the song that I love so much. It’s lyrics reveal a love so fleeting and vulnerable, Styles is left lost in the wake of heartbreak. Fallen is a must listen even if you aren’t a tremendous Harry Styles fan; but you might be after this one!
7. To Be So Lonely
This next track fits perfect with the last beginning with the lyrics “Don’t blame me for falling”. The entire Fine Line album is a telling of Styles’ midst throughout this breakup and how he copes with it all. To Be So Lonely isn’t my favorite track but it’s got some pretty interesting lyrics within it. It’s telling and can be the stage of coping that can feel as getting over someone and telling ourselves we’re okay but in reality, it’s still one of the first things on our mind and it still hurts.
8. She
She is the most reminiscent of Styles first self-titles album particularly the song Woman. It’s also got a particular Beatles influence to it and again, goes back to his original classic rock roots. She is a somewhat ambiguous song that plays almost like a dream. It’s characters aren’t clear but the lyrics display a sense of longing for an ideal partner that only exists in their mind. She isn’t referring to anyone in particular but rather, refers to an ideal someone who fits the picture. Musically, She has some pretty edgy guitar riffs and psychedelic synth. This is the point in the album I felt Fine Line begins to split into what feel like two different albums.
9. Sunflower Vol.6
Sunflower Vol.6 is where Fine Line seems to diverge from its original sound to a more psychedelic rock sound. It’s track name alone is intriguing and I wonder if he had written five other versions of the song before eventually being content with its sixth edit. (A sill thought but nevertheless a curiosity I have) Again, Styles uses metaphorical imagery of his previous relationship only this time, comparing her to a sunflower. (Arguably a flower reminiscent of a bright yellow sun) Sunflower Vol.6 is another cheery track with lyrics that actually have deep underlying meaning. It appears he is reflecting on his relationship, surpassing the anger and mourning of his breakup.
10. Canyon Moon
Canyon Moon is a track that I was really excited about when the tracklist was released but turned out to be completely different then what I was expecting. It’s one of the few tracks on the album that is quite different musically than Styles original soft rock sound we’ve heard in his premiere solo album. Canyon Moon reflects of the good times of his previous relationship instead of the bad. It appears we’ve made it through the storm and things are looking up! It’s quite a “cute” track reminiscing the good times that Styles hopes to return to someday referring to this feeling as “home”. My favorite line of the song ” she plays songs I’ve never heard, an old lover’s hippie music, pretends not to know the words” has some incredible imagery that you can almost imagine happening. Musically it isn’t my favorite track but it does have significant lyrical moments that feel almost like a supercut film into his relationship that I felt were very important to the album’s story.
11. Treat People With Kindness
I was so excited to find out what this track would sound like simply because Treat People With Kindness has been sort of personal campaign Styles has been devoted to since his previous album. This track is complete disassociation from the album and is simply a love song to his fans reminding them to treat people with a little kindness. It’s got a little bit of a Queen influence to it especially with the layers of falsettos. It honestly sounds like a song you’d hear in a 1960s musical. In his Rolling Stone interview Styles states “I told Jeff, I would love to someday write a song called ‘Treat People With Kindness.’ — It made me uncomfortable at first, because I wasn’t sure what it was—but then I wanted to lean into that. I feel like that song opened something that’s been in my core.” Listening to it, I can agree that I feel the message Styles yearned to get across, fulfilled yet that.
12. Fine Line
At last, we have reached the title track and the final conclusion of the emotional journey through perhaps Styles’ most honest moments. This is another chilling song that I can almost guarantee will be featured in films for years to come. It’s the perfect conclusion to his journey through what I imagine to be some of the most difficult moments through the healing process. Through Fine Line, we can see that Styles has grown tremendously through this process both internally and lyrically. The song ends with the lyrics “We’ll be alright”, the closing lines of this emotional chapter of his life and an indication that despite this roller coaster journey, we’re going to make it out alright.
Fine Line as an album, is a kaleidoscope of moments that underline one of life’s most difficult lessons which is learning how falling in love can be the most beautiful and even painful experience of our lives. Learning to accept when to move on is incredibly difficult and having shared this story so openly with fans is truly special. I personally can’t imagine sharing such intimate moments so freely! Fine Line is an album that will help many fans and even occasional listeners heal in ways they maybe hadn’t felt possible. That is the true beauty of music, finding ways to relate with your favorite artists and understanding that they too deal with loss and heartbreak.
Fine Line has my stamp of approval and it’s a 4/5 star rating from me! Pop over to Spotify and give it listen! You might be surprised and shed a tear now and then. (I know I did!) If you loved Fine Line, catch Harry on his next headline tour in the summer of 2020!
Photo Credits: Harry Styles and Republic Records
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