Fine Line - Harry Styles Album Review
Go easy on me, I am no professional at writing, reviewing, explaining my thoughts, nor at grammar.
Everything is as objective as possible but some reviews may definitely and will definitely be biased slightly. :-)
Golden - summer. A song filled with incredibly upbeat lyrics that carry a stronger message than they initially and melodically suggest. Catchier than the flu. It takes a hold of the listener and turns their neck to the sunset beyond the meadow and says, “listen.” It fills you with a harmony of “da da da da’s” that encompasses both ears. Tremendous energy.
Watermelon Sugar - summertime in the 90’s. Laid back, funky, but most importantly, short reverb on the voice. California-esque lead guitar. Horns as the perfect level of mid-high tones. Makes you think of delicious watermelons and warm air.
Adore You - the theme of fruit continues, purity. a love letter written to the love of the author’s mind. “I’d walk through fire for you, just let me adore you.” Deep rich bass with the main melody in full motion. A rhythm that keeps the head bobbing, shoes tapping, and shoulders moving. Hopelessly romantic, this author. ‘No need for you to do a thing honey, just let me adore you.’ Incredible. Great distorted guitar tones.
Lights Up - The song is emptier in composition. Short to zero reverb on instruments. Simple, quiet drums. The message of confusion, the absence of sound amplifying this. “Do you know who you are?” “(Shine) step into the light! (Shine) so bright sometimes! (Shine) I’m not ever going back!” A command given by a confused person. Their beliefs of this lover completely flipped around and demanding answers. Just one loose theory but maybe not.
Cherry - another song that sounds lonely, just his voice. Nobody else and a confession. Begging, remorse. Please don’t call anyone what you called me and maybe it was for the better that we split but know I love you and respect you don’t call him what I used to be to you. The longing in the arrangement of the sounds and the addition of the strings to the song add to the melancholic feel of the voice. The upbeat progression overshadowed by the pain. Cherry on top is the voice note at the ending and the silence from him as he speaks his love language of music to her, whilst she speaks. (Personal favorite but I tried to approach this as objectively as I could.)
Falling - there is nothing but me, empty room, and sadness. The piano reverberates throughout the emptiness he feels. “The love letters are many about you, and we’ve run out of excuses to give ourselves.” He feels he might be nothing of notice in their life once they revert to strangers. He was another ordinary guy. He’s scared of himself being the reason the relationship fell apart too. Depression as a song.
To Be So Lonely - the guitar sounds muted and quiet. A moment where the sounds are coming back and the beat returns. Slow and mellow yet still strong. Buzzing strings, tremolo or vibrato on the electric guitar. Strings remain yet sing a new tune of possible hope. “Don’t call me what you used to call me, I need to be alone.” He’s climbing from the bottom of the spiral and has regained his strength.
She - another love letter, in odd form. She’s so important to me that I cannot get her out of my mind. The time being important as a reminder that even the time, numbers on a clock face, means something about her. He delegates the run for coffee like he knows what to do at the simple look of the time because it is for her. He wants to sail away and tell none of his friends because he couldn’t explain how he felt. She’s incredibly impacted his entire life and he doesn’t want anything else. “I don’t know where she is.” Could be that he’s aware of how incredibly romanticized his perception of her is and that he’d rather it anyway. He plays pretend and he doesn’t know where “she” is but he daydreams of her. Incredible guitar solos and yes - there is more than one guitar being played!
Sunflower vol. 6 - a sunflower is beautiful to look at and see and will always be so. you never want to bother one or block it’s sun, you love the shade. An entry in another page of the love letter. The author wants to let their lover know that he’d never think about disturbing her. Very strong melody and backing instruments with a strong and simple drum loop. The electric sound effects adding a touch of whimsy and fun, upbeat.
Canyon Moon - the author uses a calmer tone, back to the beginning of a solid, percussive rhythm with rich, deep acoustic guitar. The chorus returns and he sings so much more like himself. Excitement to return home and to familiar feelings, normalcy. Bright melody, cheery even.
Treat People with Kindness - rejuvenated spirits and the urge to treat everyone with incredible compassion. forgiving those who wronged him and regaining confidence. The solitude isn’t gruesome any longer and he remembers what the day feels like and comes out more gleeful. Tough stuff happens but we continue. Evidenced strongly by the entire choir singing and the strong voice and confidence. A mantra for positivity.
Fine Line - atmospheric, empty, and filled with sorrow and lethargic sounds. the slow, quiet guitar, not refined, as if played in the moment of grief. Beautiful deep bass notes with isolated highs that add depth and a feeling of loss and weightlessness. Falsetto singing to add to the angelic and somber ambience. “We’ll be a fine line.” We could be an example of a good thing or we could move forward in life together as friends. The song is the confession that was written in the middle but sounds amazing at the end. It’s almost as if the final minutes of the song serve as nothing but reassurance that they will live after this pain.
The ending that perfectly encapsulates the constant up and down a person experiences during a break up with someone significant to them. The “we’ll be alright, we’ll be alright” lyric demonstrates the growth and healing the author has done and reveals maturity my behind the excuses. Perhaps too late because the relationship has ended romantically, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of a good platonic relationship.
Overall, this album is a strong 9.5/10 in my books. It has all the themes I love to talk and think about. Beautiful sounding vocals and absolutely incredible tunes.
Hope this wasn’t so muddled to understand and will gladly elaborate on anything in my asks!
tangentwithtanner
andulkaphoto
kianamaiart
izzy806
areudirty
jbbartram-illu
