Words By: Rob Lucchesi
I think we all remember when Harry Styles dropped “Sign of the Times” back in 2017. The radio was painfully dominated by Ed Sheeran, and the rest of the industry could not seem to unfreeze itself from the hit machine (Yes, I’m looking at you Kyle). But then this daunting, heavy, just absolute curveball of a piano chord would erupt out of nowhere, signaling the intro to Harry Styles’ lead single off his debut self-titled album. It set a precedent that no one in the months prior could seem to get a hold of, starting a wave of more vulnerable music from more male artists. Good music speaks for itself, with or without the presence of a “We da best music!” crammed in at the beginning.
The same could be said for “Lights Up”, the lead single off his sophomore album, Fine Line. People were losing their fucking MINDS when that single hit streaming back in 2019. It was yet another departure from not only the singer’s previous work, but the current trends in music- lots of Billie Eillish and DaBaby that year. “Lights Up” was more classic rock inspired capmare to the folkier, slower tracks on Harry Styles, but still crazy catchy and tastefully outspoken, considering
it coincided with National Coming Out Day that year. Now flash forward a little over two years, and we’re back in the full swing of the Styles Album Cycle, with the lead single “As It Was” already breaking hearts and drying tears.
“As It Was” is hauntingly good. It’s pushing and pulling, dying for separation from all that ails, but desperate for a grip on some kind of familiarity, but like its namesake, nothing is as it was. Styles’ has us moving in circles, keeping up with troubles with family members, a lost love, a little bit of struggle with drug dependency sprinkled into the second verse, all moving in the direction of permanent change, but ultimately falling back on what was and what could have been. His single style has also progressed since the Fine Line era, moving from a more classic big-rock-band feel to a more heavily produced electric style, which is all thanks to returning producers, Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, both of whom were big contributors to Fine Line. The drums beat down over a crunchy, bouncy synth bass line and keep you dancing through the story of “As It Was.” Fast paced and almost out of control, but still squarely within the boundaries we end up creating for ourselves. That and the almost childlike feel of the 80’s-style synths throughout the song bring you back to your most vulnerable times. But despite all that it was, it's no longer all that it is. This new single reminds us that we’re all just trying to keep moving forward in this crazy place, but so long as the bells are ringing and the music's good, why not dance?
“As It Was” is a must-listen and a must-add. Harry’s upcoming album, Harry’s House, is set to release May 20 of this year, but if you just can’t wait that long, our team here at Small Talks put together a little something special for you. Check out our “as it was” playlist up now on Spotify, curated by Small Talks’ own Taylor Kennedy.
As it was playlist by Taylor Kennedy:
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