How a move to Berlin inspired Harry Styles's biggest sonic pivot yet
In short: After years of R&B and city pop, Harry Styles has embraced a heavy, synthesizer-driven dance sound. Inspired by LCD Soundsystem and echoing David Bowie’s legendary Berlin era, his fourth studio album marks a bold, experimental departure from his established musical identity.
Released on 6 March 2026, 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.' represents a significant shift for Harry Styles. Moving away from the influences of his 2022 album, 'Harry's House', the new record leans into electronic music, synth-pop, and even post-punk. This transition was fueled by a period of living in Berlin, a move that drew direct comparisons to David Bowie’s famous 'Berlin Trilogy' as Styles sought to record a more synthesizer-heavy sound.
The album's commercial impact was immediate and record-breaking. In the United States, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with 430,000 album-equivalent units. This achievement made Styles only the second solo male artist to have his first four albums top the US charts, following DMX. The release also saw massive vinyl success, with 186,000 vinyl sales in its opening week—the largest weekly vinyl total for a male artist since Luminate began tracking data in 1991.
While the album achieved massive sales, critical reception was a complex landscape of 'varying levels of positive' reviews. Some critics, like those from Euphoria and NME, praised the 'maverick sonic choices' and the successful embrace of a disco aesthetic. However, others were more divided. Some reviewers, including those from The Guardian and The Telegraph, noted a lack of memorability or substance, while others felt the heavy use of electronics and effects occasionally overshadowed Styles's vocal performance.
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