Harry Styles
by Harry Styles
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: May 12, 2017
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1530 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,229 out of 1530
  2. Mixed: 84 out of 1530
  3. Negative: 217 out of 1530
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  1. NicklasW
    May 17, 2017
    5
    I had relatively high expectations going into this Album, cause "Sign Of The Times" was really good and even though Sweet Creatures was a straight copy of the Beatles Sound, i was hoping it would be the only copy-paste song but for some reason every song felt flat with basic lyrics repeating chords and uninspired acoustic ballads which sound like Ed Sheeran B-sides and two banger songsI had relatively high expectations going into this Album, cause "Sign Of The Times" was really good and even though Sweet Creatures was a straight copy of the Beatles Sound, i was hoping it would be the only copy-paste song but for some reason every song felt flat with basic lyrics repeating chords and uninspired acoustic ballads which sound like Ed Sheeran B-sides and two banger songs which try to copy the Sound from the Rolling Stones but failed miserably. So, even though the Album wasn´t a terrible listen it wasn´t good either, it was nice to see a pop singer songwriter trying to do rock and i hope he keeps this direction but with more of his own like he did with Sign of the times and less copycat.
    Best Songs: Sign Of The Times, Carolina, Kiwi
    Worst Songs: Sweet Creature, Only Angel    … Expand
  2. victorcarter
    May 13, 2017
    6
    Absolutely shocked at how good this album was. I've been looking forward to Harry's solo stuff ever since he stood out to me among his previous band mates, and I'm happy to report that he has fulfilled all my expectations and more. THIS is exactly what music these days has been missing. Collapse
  3. Music_Observer
    Jun 8, 2017
    6
    The sound was not very dynamic and the melodies had no great strength, but the overall character and organization of these song structures showed some legitimate power, especially considering Harry Styles’s abhorrent history as a musician. My Score: 112/180 (Okay) = 6.2/10
  4. triskelionitis
    May 14, 2017
    6
    6/10
    This album is good, the lyrics are so well expressed, the instrumentals are ok. But I feel something is missing. I can't seem to find the so called 80s vibe everyone bragged about. This might sting, but this genre is becoming popular again and it's not groundbreaking or original.
    The need to compare to legends like Bowie, Queen or The Rolling Stones is unnecessary. I know that if    6/10
    This album is good, the lyrics are so well expressed, the instrumentals are ok. But I feel something is missing. I can't seem to find the so called 80s vibe everyone bragged about. This might sting, but this genre is becoming popular again and it's not groundbreaking or original.
    The need to compare to legends like Bowie, Queen or The Rolling Stones is unnecessary.
    I know that if this was some random white guy who wanted to "feel" vintage, this album would get ignored, what drives this album is the fanbase and the name he made for himself.    … Expand
  5. beccavexed
    May 13, 2017
    4
    I took a listen to all the songs. They're either boring, or trying to copy someone else's sound. This is not worth the hype it was given, nor does it put him on the level of Prince or Bowie. This is nothing new, or even wanted by the general public.
  6. TheKritikonCo
    May 27, 2017
    6
    John - Don't get me wrong, this is not by any means a bad album, however it has a hell of a lot of faults. Way too much repetitiveness, lazy songwriting, and hardly any deviation from a slow to mid-tempo pattern let this record down. It's a consistently okay album. Carolina, Kiwi and Sign of the Times were highlights for me, but I won't be adding any of them to a playlist, purely becauseJohn - Don't get me wrong, this is not by any means a bad album, however it has a hell of a lot of faults. Way too much repetitiveness, lazy songwriting, and hardly any deviation from a slow to mid-tempo pattern let this record down. It's a consistently okay album. Carolina, Kiwi and Sign of the Times were highlights for me, but I won't be adding any of them to a playlist, purely because I'll end up skipping them. They are decent songs, yes, but far too forgettable, and at times just too repetitive to listen to in full. I think Harry has made a decent effort here for his debut, but it is lacking standout moments. The definition of solid but unremarkable.

    Tilly - I've never been a One Direction fan, much less a Harry Styles fan, but was eagerly awaiting his debut because I could see how much potential he had to be an excellent artist. I knew it was going to be a mixture of indie and indie rock given that he just has that kind of vibe to him but wondered just how successful he was going to be with his first attempt. I'm happy to say that the self titled album is mostly a success. A few of the tracks like Sweet Creature and Woman, were at times rather laughable - in fact during the latter, it sounded as if a Canadian goose has been let loose in the studio. However, From The Dining Table and Two Ghosts just prove that this guy has what it takes to be considered a serious, successful and genuinely talented singer. Overall Harry Styles' debut was emotional, flirtatious and certainly a good introduction to the real Harry. I eagerly await the follow up.    … Expand
  7. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    5
    it was okay........................................................................................................................................................................
  8. EllaEpstein
    May 13, 2017
    5
    I went into this album to figure out who Harry Styles is and what he was trying to accomplish. It didn't take long to realize his comparisons to past stars such as Bowie were warranted in some respects. Key word, some. I wasn't listening to Harry to see which glam star of the past few decades he was trying to impersonate, I wanted to see him as an artist. I feel like his album, for meI went into this album to figure out who Harry Styles is and what he was trying to accomplish. It didn't take long to realize his comparisons to past stars such as Bowie were warranted in some respects. Key word, some. I wasn't listening to Harry to see which glam star of the past few decades he was trying to impersonate, I wanted to see him as an artist. I feel like his album, for me personally, fell short in that respect. His songs weren't very memorable, relying more so on repetition (not only with lyrics, but the stories the songs told as well). If you asked me to recall one song that possibly stood out, I would say "Woman," since it is virtually impossible not to get his chorus stuck in your head. I appreciated "From the Dining Table" too. Did I find out who Harry Styles was? Well, no, other than the fact that he has trouble opening up and sleeps with girls, but any artist nowadays can provide me a tune expressing those sentiments in a less "tribute-y" "repetitive" way. I can only hope for more experimentation in albums to come. His debut album should have had more risk, but I think the problem came down to the fact that Harry was too focused on curating an image rather than putting out music that truly represented him.… Expand
  9. DeaganO
    May 12, 2017
    6
    Review of Harry Styles, the self titled album - 6.5/10 (3/5)

    Going for an old school British sound, Harry's solo debut album is set to capture an audience different from the screaming teen girls that followed One Direction. Influences of melancholic & / psychedelic rock and punk-funk are clear, with excessive use of electronic guitar riffs and distorted vocals that remind you of David    Review of Harry Styles, the self titled album - 6.5/10 (3/5)

    Going for an old school British sound, Harry's solo debut album is set to capture an audience different from the screaming teen girls that followed One Direction.
    Influences of melancholic & / psychedelic rock and punk-funk are clear, with excessive use of electronic guitar riffs and distorted vocals that remind you of David Bowie, Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, ect.
    - The album starts with "Meet Me In The Hallway", an almost George-Michael-at-a-hipster-after-party ballad.
    - The core of the album is presented next: slow-versed but with a powerful chorus, "Sign Of The Times" captures the attention as first single.
    - "Carolina", a headache-inducing noise factory, is just the worst song on the album. He really believes people will sing along to that "lalalalalalala" try-hard Mick Jagger stuff?
    - Sad, because the next song, "Two Ghosts", is a beautiful, relaxing, almost-country ballad, a la The Eagles and The Boss combined.
    - Ah, "Sweet Creature", a sweet guitar 'pickle'-song, I could 've done without the strained repetitive belts, but it's acceptable.
    We're already halfway through as the album is only 10 songs,
    - and "Only Angel" as an up-tempo rock song wakes us right up; it is just good fun (but please, get rid of the cowbell...). Europe's "Mind In The Gutter" sounds exactly the same.
    - "Kiwi" is rock-n-roll, Elvis, Bryan Adams and Kiss on steroids.
    - Oh, okay, we're going back to a calm Bowie-like forest-people-on-drugs anthem with "Ever Since New York". It is a good sing-along song, but can't keep the attention.
    - I heard this Elton John "Bennie And The Jets" type of sound coming back lately (Lady Gaga - "Hey Girl"), and Harry is trying to combine blues with smoke-a-cig-and-complain-about-women music with "Woman". Easy listening, but not my cup of tea.
    - The album ends the same way as it starts, with a slow after-hours track, which reminds me of Gustavo Santaolalla - "The Wings". "From The Dining Table" does not reach that level of quality though.

    Briefly, Harry Styles by Harry Styles is an alternative hipster album, you either like it or you hate it. The fan girls will back off, and an older crowd will appear at bars, where Harry will be performing small-stage intimate Irish pub-shows. I recommend "Only Angel" as a potentially successful single.

    1. Sign Of The Times, 2. Two Ghosts, 3. Only Angel    … Expand
  10. PeterSant
    Sep 13, 2019
    5
    Made plastic, Harry Styles is still far from becoming a great singer. His debut album is not totally terrible, but it is not a work worthy of veneration.
  11. gabrielcipriano
    Dec 21, 2018
    6
    The album has good things and very bad things, there are empty songs and it has not been mounted to the right point seems lost. Like Harry's first album, I'm proud of him however on his next album there has to be more evolution and detailed productions in each song.
  12. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 16, 2021
    6
    Harry's debut arrives unfinished and derivative. It's effectively a culling of muses to the point of nearly covering their songs. Instantly i heard the overwhelming influence of Beck's Sea Change on the entirety of the record with "since new york " basically being an outtake. Despite the albums absence of originality it's an interesting direction for the former pop boy band heartthrob. TheHarry's debut arrives unfinished and derivative. It's effectively a culling of muses to the point of nearly covering their songs. Instantly i heard the overwhelming influence of Beck's Sea Change on the entirety of the record with "since new york " basically being an outtake. Despite the albums absence of originality it's an interesting direction for the former pop boy band heartthrob. The lead single "sign of the times" despite it's heavy Bowie reference point is stunning. Showing off Harry's range like never before. It's moment's like these Harry is at his best when he let's go a little such as on the abrasive arrogance of "kiwi ". The heavy rock and roll is well executed sounding like an offshoot of the black keys,genuinely impressing . After this i was excited to see what he'll do once he fleshed out his own sound but even if he doesn't this record is solid enough to say that wouldn't be a train smash.… Expand
  13. markosaric
    Nov 2, 2019
    6
    It's a strong debut for Styles, but for a handful of songs like "Carolina" or "Kiwi," the lyrical ability seemed to take a back seat and fall into lovey-dovey cliché pitfalls.
  14. Mcritique12
    Dec 14, 2019
    5
    Short album filled with mostly melancholic 80s rock songs. Lyricly not bold enough as well as thematicly. A bit drowsy at places and the only brigh spot is a beautiful guitar ballad Sweet Creature. Very mediocre.
  15. Sadeeedwards
    Feb 12, 2020
    6
    This is Harry Styles debut album after departing from one direction. It's not shocking to hear mixed reviews for a debut album. This album is ok. Some of the songs are confusing. However there are some pure bops in here.

    64/100
    64%
    6/10
  16. PaoloCianto
    Mar 24, 2020
    6
    Amazing Debut a little pretentious but nevertheless a great try at music already made.
  17. arthurmeta
    Nov 29, 2022
    5
    I think he has a kinda great voice but makes very boring music that's just generic and sounds like Shawn Mendes etc

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2017
48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Q Magazine
    Jun 6, 2017
    60
    Despite Styles' self-conscious references, his debut avoids indulgence. [Aug 2017, p.110]
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    May 23, 2017
    80
    Ultimately Harry Styles feels comfortable and readily worn-in.
    Read full review
  3. Consequence
    May 18, 2017
    58
    The missteps don’t detract too much from this ambitious, if slightly unfocused, debut.
    Read full review
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