Harry Styles and David Bowie

Today we are continuing on this "new music" tend, so I have some fresh melodies for you from a man who has really taken a leap forward in the entertainment game. For those of you who don't know, Harry Styles has just spent a good amount of time on filming the newest Christopher Nolan film, Dunkirk. However, just this past week, the One Direction singer turned actor released a solo track and I have to say it is quite interesting. This song is vastly different than what we are used to hearing from Harry Styles' work with One Direction. While the boy band seemed to focus more on young love and youthful shenanigans, this song is an odd ode to maturity and age. This song has a bittersweet kind of melancholy to it. I will say, I really like the way he has embraced the rock side of things, and almost takes a David Bowie or Oasis kind of approach to the song. There is a classic rock kind of vibe to this which I really enjoy. That mix of modern and classic works very well for creating a song that is meant to personify a bittersweet mood. However, I will say that I am very intrigued by the stylistic elements of this song. I think what Harry Styles was going for was a rendition of those rock ballads which kind of ebb and flow, giving way to a crescendo of guitar riffs and drums, and finally calming down to a cathartic and quiet ending. Now a lot of bands have done this, and they have done it really well. And I hear the attempt made to emulate that sound with this song, however, I don't necessarily feel the emotional and ponderous impact that I have felt with other songs. With this one, we get the same three or four chords over and over again, and a big and climactic ending, sobering down into something softer and gentler. However, what I don't really hear with this song is that advancing and retreating kind of sound before reaching that high point in the song. Harry Styles elects to go from softer and somber to a huge crescendo of sound and instrumentation, bringing in the drums and cymbals and mad guitar riff. I will say, the effect that Harry Styles was going for isn't entirely lost. I do feel some sort of emotional response to the song and can definitely see why mega fans have found this song to be so moving. I do appreciate Harry Style coming out of the box and lines of One Direction, and opting for something that is darker and unique. We hear this melancholy from the first opening moments of the song. Opening up with a vulnerable and gloomy piano ballad, Harry Styles joins in with his husky and solemn croon. Later, he shows off his impressive falsetto, taking on entire verses in his falsetto. There is a nice fullness to that, a nuance which makes this song all the more powerful. This song allows Harry Styles to present his vocal capabilities and his role as one of hte stronger vocalists of the British boy band.  The rock reveries of this song pay homage to many huge artists and songs, such as Queen, Oasis, David Bowie, and the likes. But I do wish we got hear a bit more of Harry Styles' individual sound. At some points we do, but other times it seems more like a tribute to a particular sound. However, Harry Styles pulls this rock sound off with so much class and ability, that I am genuinely happy and impressed with his work on this song. This yearning and the raspy melody is oddly a great choice for the long awaited debut of Harry Styles. Music has taken some very interesting turns, and we are seeing a resurgence of styles from the 70s and 80s. It isn't too much of a shock to see that Harry Styles has taken his cue from these influences, and released something which follows that same line of sound and production. The wonderful symbiosis between being both old school and modern is an apt description of how Harry Styles has presented himself and his music in the past. Even with One Direction's latest album, we start to hear more of those rock and decade based influences. All in all, hats off to Harry Styles. This is a track which is unique and enjoyable. As far as popularity goes, the artist name alone is enough to garner thousands, if not millions, of listens. I'll be tracking this for sure, and look forward to hearing the rest of what Harry Styles has prepared for us in his debut solo album. Today's instrumental song had to be by the man who seems to have influenced a large part of the Harry Styles debut single. This song is one of the most popular tracks by Sir David Bowie. I personally love this song and am all for having it played everywhere. Now the reason I chose this particular song is because there are uncanny similarities to the song and the first song. Melody wise, chord progression wise, mood wise, etc. There are many things that Harry Styles seems to have drawn on from this song, and it works for both artists. But I wanted to give you all a taste of the original music master, the one who helped get the ball rolling. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!