HARRY STYLES' FINE LINE: MY FAVOURITE FIVE
Fine Line is a beautiful piece of artwork, no pun intended. It’s rich and I have to say that Harry Styles knows his stuff. If there’s anything I noticed, he’s an ardent fan of retro music. I know that he went as far as tracking down Joellen Lapidus when he was working on this album.
Joellen Lapidus is the woman who built the dulcimer Joni Mitchell played throughout her 1971 classic Blue album. I think it was worth the hunt; seeing that he sure has a way of merging potential classics with contemporary music entertainingly. His ingenuity was certified by the likes of the legendary Elton John and Stevie Nicks. And, I do think it’s an amazing thing to experience when people you look up to acknowledge and recommend what you do.
His Fine Line album was created in the style of Psychedelic music. So, Psychedelic music (also called psychedelia) is a wide range of popular music styles and genres influenced by the 1960s. At the time, there was a subculture of people who used, psychedelic drugs that were mostly LSD-based, to experience visual and auditory hallucinations, synesthesia and altered states of consciousness.
Psychedelic music was most likely made to enhance the experience of using these drugs. It was quite prominent because it impacted music genres like rock, folk, hip-hop, and funk. Just like the effects of LSD drugs, psychedelia preaches unconventionality and unique perceptions in music. There’s no one way to it because it differs in style.
On his album cover, the circular image has an uncanny resemblance. It’s similar to hip-hop music videos of the 1990s and iconic psychedelic rock album covers of the '60s and ’70s. If you’ve ever seen an old hip-hop video where the artist was staring right at the camera, and it seemed like they appeared larger than normal, you’ll know what I mean. I’ve read too that the image was taken with a fisheye lens, a novel piece of gear that has been used to document previous Apollo missions, presidential funerals, baseball games, and protests.
Looking at his choice on the album cover and the music style, it's hard to not conclude that he is deeply into eccentricity. If those things don't give him away, his peculiar fashion choices and zodiac sign amongst other things should take them home. On a lighter note, I won't be surprised if that's a quality he uses quite well, to his advantage. I mean, there's almost nothing that intrigues a society like nonconformity.
Most of the songs on the album evolve around his breakup with his ex-girlfriend, Camille Rowe. Although these songs do not center around a common subject matter, they are stories, made up in a way, that can be relatable to anyone who listens to them.
Golden
"Golden" is the opening track for the album, which fits just right. It’s so chill. It kind of sets the foundation for every other song, with its dreamily layered harmonies in the vocals and guitars. There are strong traces of the vintage '70s soft SoCal rock/indie-pop, specifically Fleetwood Mac. In this song, I think Harry goes all out to express how much he loves the company of someone, to the point that he sees that person as golden. That part in the song, where he sings, "I don’t want to be alone" was the perfect highlight for me. It sounded sincere and reassuring that he was ready to show to a great extent, that their love was worth the risk. Apart from its cool, classic aura; I like how he looked so free and happy, just like he sounded on the track.
Watermelon Sugar
The first thing that came to my mind when I first saw the title was that he was probably singing about the fruit. Then, I heard the song, I watched the video and I knew that it was definitely not about the fruit. I don’t think it’ll be wrong for me to say that I’m not the only one who thinks the song screams about "the joys of mutually appreciated oral pleasure." Watermelon Sugar finds a way to conveniently linger toward provocative lyrics while portraying innocence all at once. Quite subtle, if you ask me. But, what do I know? Harry says it’s just a refreshing moment of breeziness.
Regardless, it’s one of the reasons why I like it though. Harry’s commitment to fruit-themed songs keeps you guessing about their interpretations. Asides from that, the blend of the percussion, electric guitar and touches of brass here and there gives it a groovy vibe. So, it makes the song catchy enough to get stuck in your head after a while. Watermelon Sugar is worth all the hype it attracts and more. Cheers to more fruit songs, Harry.
Adore You
Adore You is my most favourite song on the album. I think the upbeat sound and the fact that it is mainstream pop contributes partly to why it can be hard to get over. Many people think it’s really fun with the funky rhythm and stuff. I think so too, but I think there’s more to it. The lyrics and the instrumentals make it very passionate. There are words like "you don’t have to say you love me" and "walk through fire for you/ just let me adore you/ like it’s the only thing I’ll ever do." Then, there’s the resounding backup vocals, the electrical rhythm and melodic guitar sounds that compliment Harry’s voice.
Although they might appear ‘fairytale-ish’, both features build up an intense tone for the song. Harry says it’s about that initial infatuation stage when you get that heavy feeling of just bliss, like a blissful, very joyous connection with someone.
The music video is also quite touching. It’s based on the fictional island of Eroda; where a boy is seen as different. The citizens of the island are always so scared because he smiles so bright every time. He considers committing suicide until he meets a fish that is different too. They live happily and enjoy the joy of being unique. Then, it becomes short-lived.
Lights Up
Lights Up is the fourth track of the album. I have to say that the tracks were well arranged. When you’re listening to music, it’s not just about the beat, the lyrics or the instrumentals. Your atmosphere is important too. It’s like when you’re at a party to unwind, of course, you expect the music to help you loosen up. One song after another takes you there and further until you get to the peak of your satisfaction. Golden gives a cool vibe. It’s a song you would listen to when you feel airy and just chill.
“Watermelon Sugar” raises up the bar to that atmosphere a little, and Adore You subtly infuses a calm, yet intense ambience around it.
Now, Lights Up” is slightly different from the rest. It is firm and sensual. From the quick waves of soft piano and guitar to the inclusion of the choir in the harmonious vocals. Even the half-naked wriggling people in the video complete the song beautifully. Its lyrics celebrate what it means to live authentically without holding back; the point where one experiences self-discovery. Like embracing the freedom that comes with a lot of self-reflecting, and the stability you enjoy when you finally accept that you can be comfortable with changes in your life. The message in this ode is crystal clear.
Cherry
Do you remember what I said about Harry been attached to fruit-themed songs? Do you see what he did here again? First, Kiwi and Watermelon Sugar followed. Then, there’s this one. However, Cherry is not exactly a light-hearted song, compared to the other ones. It has no connection with cherries. The title comes from Harry and Camille’s ship name, Charry. Cherry might be the most unfiltered song on the album because it shows what the loss of a lover can feel like, especially when you have to watch them move on. It’s my second favourite song for a lot of reasons. For one, I was able to do a lot of self-reflection about my relationship choices. Besides, the melancholic strums of the acoustic guitar are soothing like a lullaby and simple like breathing. It’s not layered with flutters of chords or the coyness of the message in the lyrics or the craftiness of voices on the melody. There’s no need to bother about what to decode from the lyrics. It’s just straightforward, emotive and genuine; which is the beauty of it.
I like it when people embrace vulnerability, and Cherry is the only song where Harry was as direct and genuine as they come. He sings revealing his jealousy, “Don’t you call him ‘baby’/ We’re not talking lately / don’t you call him what you used to call me…Does he take you walking ‘round his parents’ gallery.” Later, he goes on to talk about how a part of her dressing grew on him, how he still keeps in touch with her friends and how much he misses her accent. At the end, the song pierces further with his exs voice. In French, she says “Hello! Tu dors? Oh, j’suis désolée Bah non Nan, c’est pas important Bon allez On a été à la plage, et maintenant on Parfait! Harry.
Cherry is a song that virtually places you on an emotional see-through, especially if youre going through the agony of a breakup. It leaves a striking effect on you, even if you dont end up in tears.
Falling
I said earlier that this was the song that made me reconsider Harry Styles music, and I dont regret saying that. I dont think Ill ever regret it, because its my favorite song on the album. “Falling” is a soulful piano-ballad with a deep, moody tune and sorrowful lyrics. It takes the cue from “Cherry and possesses double fold of everything Cherry features and more- sincerity, melancholy and simplicity. Compared to the other songs, Harrys voice is not complimented by backup vocals or instruments. His voice stood out with just the piano.
“Falling” puts one in a self-reflective state. Cherry might not leave you in tears, but oh-boy this one will. If it doesn’t, it’ll leave you sober. I can bet you that for sure.
In this track, Styles disapproves of the person he was becoming, while broods over his ex-lover. It seems he was heartbroken, not just because he lost something beautiful or because he was unhappy that he was left alone to deal with the pain. He blames and questions himself for being the reason why the relationship ended. He says, “I’m in my bed / And you’re not here / And there’s no one to blame but the drink in my wandering hands / Forget what I said / It’s not what I meant / And I can’t take it back, I can’t unpack the baggage you left.”
In the second verse, he confesses how much he wishes things were the way they used to be with regret. “And I’m well aware I write too many songs about you / And the coffee’s out at the Beachwood Café"— probably a reference to one of their favourite spots.
Styles exposes a place where many of us don’t enjoy reaching out to our blindsides. As we process heartbreaks, we somewhat forget that the mistakes we made lead us to such loss too. We choose to justify them and lose sight of things we could correct or reprove of ourselves. Here, Styles admits that he was starting to feel threads of where he could see himself becoming someone that he didn’t want to be, and that was hard. He removes the focus from the pain he’s feeling, to unveil what it means to deal with the pain you caused other people that cared too. These exact words highlight the core of his self-discovery in the song, “What am I now? What am I now? / What if I’m someone I don’t want around? / I’m falling again, I’m falling again, I’m fallin”
Now that I think of it, it’s ironic that Fine Line is not on my list. However, if there was any track I could change for another, perhaps Ill choose Fine Line over Lights Up. It’s a hard choice, but the message from the latter stays with me regardless. Fine Line sounds like a track you would use in cute romance movies, like “The Fault in Our Stars” or “Five Feet Apart.” Fine Line sends off the album flawlessly. I think it’s safe to assume that Harry succeeded at making something magical out of this song.
As far as this list goes, it does not mean the rest of Harry’s songs are not as good too. He took me by surprise for exploring a delicate side of music that is not easy to expand, considering the age we are now. The album embodies realness, diversity and fearlessness. I’m pretty much anticipating his next project, because I know there’s better, where that came from.
