It took nearly four years for Harry Styles to enter another dimension and manifest a whole new record, sound, and identity that only moves it forward for his career to where he is now.

Gone are the days when fans would post “HS4 AT MIDNIGHT” just to cope with the fact that he had indeed returned. But after years of dormancy and fans being starved for new music, has the wait finally paid off?

Suffice it to say, it was. During his time away, it allowed Styles to grow — not just as an artist, but as a person at this stage of his life. From running marathons to taking on various side quests that came his way, there was a sense of letting loose and embracing the kind of liberation that comes with venturing into life’s unpredictability and uncertainty — all while still feeling giddy and excited along the way.

Advertisement

Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. is marketed as an album that leans heavily into disco, dancing, and the full experience of a night out. Yet what we ultimately receive is both more and less than that promise.

The emphasis, as it turns out, lies in the “occasionally.” Beneath the upbeat tempos and head-banging slash spinning energy is a record that offers not just pure dancefloor escapism but something far more intimate. Styles is unapologetically honest and exudes main character energy, much like his previous records.

This time, however, it comes through the music he truly wants to make — songs that get the body moving while searching for love, twirling around heartbreak, and getting into terms with change and moving forward.

Advertisement

Rather than just chasing the pulse of disco, the album makes room for vulnerability, reflection, and the raw experience of being emotionally exposed and unafraid. Billboard Philippines takes in the album’s occasional disco moments and introspective sensibilities and ranks all 12 tracks of the Grammy-winning artist’s fourth record.


#12: “Taste Back”

One of the more the slightly laid-back tracks that settles in and allows us to breathe halfway through, “Taste Back” anchors itself with a looping beat that carries into Styles’ opening up session. It’s not as strong as some of the other tracks on the album, but that doesn’t mean it’s skippable. In fact, it ties back to the kind of songwriting and sound we’ve come to appreciate over four albums, serving as a neat bridge within the record.

#11: “Ready, Steady, Go!”

Kicking it off with a funk-driven bass intro, “Ready, Steady, Go!,” that if you’re a fan of OPM, you’d probably think about IV OF SPADES‘ “Where Have You Been, My Disco?” Undeniably, it offers a catchy repeating bass line or ostinato, but it can become a bit forgettable once you’ve heard the other stronger tracks on the album. Though it still manages to bring something different to the table.

Advertisement

#10: “The Waiting Game”

Packed with sweet symphonies and touching on what Styles even mentions in the lyrics about being overhonest, “The Waiting Game” lays bare the experience of reflection — being in the limbo of waiting through the seasons of life and relationships, which sometimes, “all adds up to nothing.” The first half of the album concludes with this fitting track, like a song that might play over the end credits before venturing into a brand-new season or a sequel that may or may not lead to better things. The waiting game is indeed a delicate moment that lingers.

#9: “Pop”

“Pop” is definitely the twin of “Cinema” from Harry’s House. When Styles dives deep into intimacy, singing about being open and vulnerable with someone special, the track captures that same energy. Not to mention, the synths only heighten the experience, taking you on a hypnotic, dreamy “trip” that carries you through the many depths and feelings of love.

#8: “Season 2 Weight Loss”

What sounds like something straight out of an 8-bit video game from the ’80s, “Season 2 Weight Loss” is clever in the way Styles talks about the cast of a Netflix series returning for a second season after the first one’s a hit — looking polished and having gone through a makeover. It’s ultimately about personal evolution and stepping into a new version of yourself. This track lays the foundation for what could be considered the stronger half of the album — not as meticulously and seamlessly curated as The BeatlesAbbey Road medley, but a signal of greener pastures for listeners who aren’t sold yet on the record.

Advertisement

#7: “American Girls”

The album’s second single, “American Girls,” likens the experience of being drawn to the aforementioned title and a playful nod to dealing with fame and spending most of his time on the continent. The song has all the makings of an easy listen before it all sets in for the much more danceable tracks. Not to say this one isn’t a bop because it still is. Styles’ vocals, even when layered over his own backing tracks, offer a rich and ethereal quality that deserves to be heard more than once.

#6: “Aperture”

As the introduction to the record and Styles’ new era, it marks a sonic departure from the songs and albums that came before (in a good way). “Aperture” is a five-minute track that navigates the collision of trance-disco pulls with the eclectic energy of change and new relationships. It features an undeniably catchy chorus that fits perfectly as the opener. When we first heard this track, it brought mixed reactions as it still sounds fresh and new at the time. But once the dust settled, we came to better understand and appreciate the artistic direction Styles is taking with the record through this song.

#5: “Are You Listening Yet?”

Yes, Harry, we are indeed listening. This one is a bit of a surprise, catching you off guard as soon as the first half of the record comes to a close. It enters with a seamless transition from “Ready, Steady, Go!” and could even be likened to an encore of that track. Yet, it stands on its own, with Styles’ singing and talking in the verses. If you were expecting the disco vibe from the album’s thesis, this one is right up your alley. The chorus never fails to get you hyped to move your body and is as pulsating as you’d expect.

Advertisement

#4: “Paint By Numbers”

With “Paint By Numbers,” Styles doesn’t shy away from the acoustic ballads we’ve come to love, reminiscent of “Matilda” from Harry’s House or “Sweet Creature” from his self-titled debut. It breezes by like a quiet summer afternoon, slowly settling in as it plays along. Truly one of the more emotionally tender songs on the record, and we’re glad Styles found a place for it on the album. It’s just a tad short in runtime, and we’re slightly bummed out about it.

#3: “Dance No More”

As the album makes its final sprint toward the finish, “Dance No More” bursts in and leaves no crumbs. The track is elevated by a booming gospel choir that recalls the chant-like energy of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2.” An odd comparison, we know. If there’s one track that fully captures the spirit Styles seems to be chasing on this record, it’s fittingly the one with “dance” in the title. It leans fully into that celebratory energy and leads straight into the album’s full-blown finale.

#2: “Coming Up Roses”

This is peak relationship romanticism — the kind that plays out like a montage in our heads, where everything feels bright, and we’re suddenly, truly, madly, deeply in love. Styles serenades with a track that almost feels like it could’ve been left over from his previous record, yet it still falls perfectly right into place. When you’re deep into your yearning and longing, this one’s right for you. It never loses its footing, effortlessly drifting into the fantasy, the daydreaming, and the awe-struck wonder of being in love. It even leaves space for an instrumental break that is just *chef’s kiss.*

Advertisement

#1: “Carla’s Song”

If Harry’s betting on his life and a strong album closer is on the line, he’ll confidently put all his chips in. A minor nitpick is that, despite its four-minute runtime, the track deserves to be longer — much like “Fine Line.” Some listeners have noted it’s a worthy companion to “As It Was,” thanks to its energetic instrumentation, upbeat tempo, and pacing that make you want to get on your feet, start running, and even finish a marathon. It truly feels like it’s “waiting there for you” and sounds like it could have come out of Harry’s House, yet it also manages to stand out and is a worthy finale to experiencing Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. in its entirety.


Styles clearly knows what we like. One thing’s for sure: you can tell you’re listening to a songwriter who isn’t keen on being too open to the world despite all the fame, yet opens up through his music. With four full-length albums under his belt, it’s clear that he’s an artist you can truly get behind, one who can even inspire you to write your own songs, poems, or other works of literature.

Listen to the album below: