Ready, Steady, Go!
Thoughts from one of those American Girls
I really tried not to write about this, but no one at work wanted to talk with me about the album and I’m off Instagram for Lent so I couldn’t just consume everyone else's rehashed thoughts for weeks on end so…here we are.
Weeks after its release, I still want to discuss how Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally has infiltrated my brain. And also I don’t want to discuss Love Story even though I am watching it because everyone else is discussing Love Story and I feel like not many people are discussing KATTDO?
On my initial listen, my first thought was “this isn't going to be my favorite album.” And I think that’s still the case. I think my favorite album is still Fine Line. In case you were wondering even though you probably weren’t! My second thought, which I also had after initial listen to Taylor Swift’s most recent album, “this isn’t delivering what was sold.” Ie: “This isn’t Disco.” The closest we get to disco on this album is “Dance No More” (full disclosure: a song I now love).
Despite the questionable branding, I really like it. “American Girls” is my favorite — and NO, not just because I am one!! It’s beginning with the piano leading into drums is chef’s kiss. And I like the lyrics (that yes, include sing-yelling (one of my favorite Harry vocal techniques btw), about American girls).
Which is a compliment because my other initial — and this one prevailing — thought was that these songs all feel like they were each built around one specific lyric that came to Harry (or his cowriter) that they really liked and then they just sort of created a few other lines and some great beats and then called it for 12 songs.
Because it will thrill me and no one else (there’s that For Me; With You name being really put to use again!), I am going to call out the specific lyric(s) that stood out to me most for all the songs because it’s not always the chorus (though a lot of times it is that and/or the title, don’t get mad at me, talk to Harry)!
The edge of the seat is pleased to meet you, I’m sure.
As themes, I will say (in case God forbid, you are not going to read all my hand selected lyrical call outs) that the this album feels very, very reflective. Harry really spent his years away wrestling with his place in the world, both as an image/product and a human. Particularly how those two existences relate to one another. To me, a lot of the reflections show a man who has done a lot of therapy (thank goodness!!) and has come out on the other side aware of what he has control over and what he doesn’t. And I think this is the first real time he’s pointed to the parts that have been hard about being a teen idol from day one. And it’s not just fame, he’s also talking about how he’s treated others here in a way that feels very much like someone who BOTH can stare at the sun and in the mirror (do you know what I’m referencing there?!? Please say you do).
Aperture: We belong together
Honorable mention: It’s best you know what you don’t / Aperture lets the light in
It’s a camera…get it?
American Girls: “I’ve known you for ages” / It’s all the I’ve heard / My friends are in love with American girls
For funzies (mine) Mr. Styles has also dated his fair share of American girls including Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, Erin Foster, Olivia Wilde, Emily Ratajakowski and currently Zoë Kravitz.
Ready, Steady, Go!: You touched me goodnight / Butterflied both our bellies / You and me are skipping sleep with dirty feet
I also love how the counting lines marry up with the individual base sounds that serve as a musical version of the count.
AND (this one gave me a lot of thoughts, aka I like it): I like that he talks about bellies/tummies multiple times on this album while referencing sex because it’s so innocent while pointing to something…not
Are You Listening Yet?: You keep forgetting your mantra / Which thoughts you had on your own / Between your head and heart and somewhere else instead
Honorable mention for And your therapist’s well-fed because he called that out in the Zane Lowe interview and it’s a good one for sure
Taste Back: Did you get your taste back? / Or do you just need a little love?
Sister to Sushi Restaurant to me: Green eyes, fried rice, I could cook an egg on you —> You on white, so sweet and sour
The Waiting Game: It all adds up to nothing
Honorable mention: Write a ballad with the details / While skimming off the top
Love that this could be a lil dig at TS and her propensity to share just enough to make it personal
Season 2 Weight Loss: Aren’t you for sale if you’re cashing in cold? / You’ve got to sit yourself down sometimes / Hoping you will love me now / Do I let you down?
Big image reflection here — can I be who I want to be without the world hating me for changing?
Coming up Roses: Does all of this seem to be bringing us closer? / Or am I back seating your life?
The only song with a Harry solo-writing credit and I would argue the most beautiful. Originally my favorite but American Girls replaced.
Pop: First time tasting it / It’s nice to mix two flavours / Together, together, mm-mm
Sister to Cinema: I bring the pop to the cinema / You pop when we get intimate —> It’s just me on my knees / Squeaky clean fantasy/ It’s meant to be pop
Dance No More: And that there’s no difference between the tears and the sweat, uh
Oh to have been dancing at those clubs (despite my bedtime being 10pm)
Paint By Numbers: Oh what a gift it is to be noticed / But it’s nothing to do with me / Holding the weight of the American children whose hearts you break
1D breakup reflections and image reflections!! This one is sad to me, but he’s clearly done so much processing so also happy for him.
Carla’s Song: Through your eyes, in awe / Melodies like the tide / It’s all waiting there for you
Reflecting about his own legacy and how it will live on, we love a self-aware king.
Ok! That’s the that. The last thing I’ll say is that despite not really being disco, this album does make me dance in my seat/in place/in my kitchen whenever I listen. And I’m jazzed to see him perform it this fall and dance my little middle-aged heart out.
Ok, thanks for reading about a thing that came out a month ago! xoxo