By Lena Moreno, February 3, 2026
Harry Styles released his lead single “Aperture” Jan. 22 after a four-year hiatus, setting up a new and experimental tone that reshaped my expectations for his fourth upcoming studio album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.”
“Aperture” contains a hypnotic and morphing beat resemblant to the ambiance of a club environment on a late, warm summer night. The song’s slow buildup is gratifying, as the song reflects insecurities embraced by the act of vulnerability.
Styles compares the function of a camera’s aperture to letting in more light, or experiences, into one’s life. The light can be compared to the complex feelings and emotions we aren’t willing to accept to help enhance the image of our happiness and well-being.
It’s best to know what you don’t.
Aperture lets the light in.
We belong together.
It finally appears it’s only love.”
-Harry Styles, “Aperture”
Styles’ vocals carry a distorted and subtle glitch effect, making the lyrics slightly hard to comprehend at first. The context of some lyrics feels somewhat random, like, “Take no prisoners for me” or “Time codes and Tokyo scenes.”
Yet it somehow works given Styles’ peculiar nature, as this is no different to his typical exotic lyricism. Nearly all his previous albums often explore romantic innuendo through imagery and metaphor, as heard in songs like “Watermelon Sugar” and “Music for a Sushi Restaurant.”
It’s catchy, with a heavily synthesized beat in the pre-chorus that gradually intensifies and slows down at the start of each verse, making the buildup feel immersive. The bass is also a defining component and keeps the exact tempo at the beginning and end of the track.
At first impression, the song felt distinctively different because of its slow electro-pop approach. Styles held an exclusive “Aperture” listening party across 11 cities worldwide leaving some fans struggling to distinguish under which genre the song should be categorized. There were debates about whether it was techno or synth pop among fans more acquainted with Styles’ traditional pop approach.
Instead, “Aperture” fell under the genres of alternative pop and electronic, given its experimental elements and composition structure. The unexpected change in pace is instead new and invigorating.
Though the change in genre didn’t live up to everyone’s forte, it’s fitting for Styles to branch out within the pop scene. It has the potential to introduce his fanbase to new sounds, instead of anticipating the same expectations for each record.
His discography has always been one to change in one variation or another. Styles’ self-titled debut album leaned toward folk and soft rock, transitioning to vibrant electronic elements in his next two albums. So, it surprised me “Aperture” was deemed too different when his fans are typically drawn to his high-energy songs.
“Aperture” is no different, since it still incorporates musical elements he already excels in as a musician, such as his vocalism and genre blending. For Styles being such a versatile artist from synth-pop and soft rock genres, I hope the remaining tracks of the album remain as experimental as “Aperture” was.
Songs like “As It Was” and “Daylight” in Styles’ third studio album “Harry’s House” seemed to be heading in the same direction with prominent synth-pop beats. “Aperture” embraces its full potential.
Fan speculations across social media presume a ‘70s-themed album could be underway given the album title and cover photo of Styles dancing under a disco ball. I can see Styles being entirely capable of achieving this, as his album “Harry’s House” leaned toward funk and ‘80s pop.
Having at least one of the remaining tracks of the album to pave a Bee Gees or Wild Cherry direction would be fitting.
The overall fashion influences for the album are also something to look forward to. Prominent looks so far seem to be fun-patterned collars and sheer crochet tops based on recent promotional photos for the album and the “Aperture” music video.
These details may influence how fans plan to dress for Styles’ upcoming global residency tour “Together, Together” kicking off this May.
There have been no announcements of a residency in Los Angeles despite his longstanding loyalty to the Kia Forum in Inglewood for every tour.