5 Tracks on Harry Styles's Fine Line That I Will Be Listening to Every Day Until I Die
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You know when you just love something so much that you can't find words to describe how or why you love it? Yeah, so that's how I feel right now about Harry Styles's new album Fine Line. Styles's sophomore release has only been in my possession for a mere few hours, but I'm so blown away by it that I feel like I've spent a lifetime listening to it. Whereas I felt his debut album, Harry Styles, was good but lacked real cohesiveness, Fine Line completely delivers on that. Styles has said the album is about having sex and feeling sad, and I don't know why I didn't totally believe him on that, but guess what he gave me? An album about having sex and feeling sad. Also about treating people with kindness.
It's rare for me to like an album from top to bottom and not skip at least one song, but I feel like this is one of those where I will absolutely listen straight through (in order, because that's important!). That doesn't mean I don't have favorites though — so keep reading to see the five songs that I already have on repeat.
"Treat People With Kindness"
This song is already polarizing within the fandom, because it's a totally different sound, but it is my new jam. I can easily hear this being performed on a Broadway stage with the whole ensemble gallivanting around singing about being nice to one another. Based on the title, it's not a song I expected to like. Styles's motto of "Treat People With Kindness" has been emblazoned on everything he's done since day one, and while I appreciate the message, it started to loose a little of its luster after being so heavily used. I worried this track in particular would either be a sappy song about loving each other or a preachy tune in the same vein. (I know, I know, I shouldn't have doubted him.) This song, however, is nothing I expected, and I've already listened to it approximately 48 times in the car while banging on the ceiling.
"Sunflower, Vol. 6"
Imagine someone like Styles writing this trippy little ditty with you in mind. "I couldn't want you any more / Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor." It gives me slight Vampire Weekend vibes and I'm not mad about that at all. I also can't wait to hear the "woo-woo"s and the "doo-doo-doo"s at the end live in concert. That is going to be a real treat.
"Golden"
Talk about a smack in the face right off the bat. This is track one on the album, and it sets the tone for the rest of the experience. If this absolute bop doesn't open every single show on tour then I'm gonna need to make a call to Styles himself about a bit of rearranging. The sunny pop song has a bit of an old-school vibe, and can we talk about the lovely backing vocals? Whew, this is a good one.
"Watermelon Sugar"
Oftentimes I forget about the songs that come out before the album once the album comes out. Like, that happens to me pretty much every single time. I still enjoy "Adore You" and "Lights Up," but of the three prereleased songs, "Watermelon Sugar" is still a favorite. I think it's the brass section that complements Styles's voice singing about a "watermelon sugar high" that still sticks with me long after listening.
"Cherry"
I'm gonna be really real here. I typically hate slow songs. Like, can't even listen to them. But "Cherry" is an entirely different story, and I can't even deal with how pretty this song is. It's sad, you guys. It's a sad song about a broken heart, and I'm probably going to cry whenever I listen to it, but truthfully what I like the most about it is the voice note from his ex-girlfriend Camille Rowe at the end. It's nothing scandalous or even particularly poignant (she just asks if he's asleep and mentions going to the beach), but the echoing effect he put on it feels like the ghost of an old relationship.