Track Review: Harry Styles, "As It Was"

Harry Styles is a behemoth. Ahead of two films later this year and on the heels of his first Grammy win and the massively successful Fine Line era, Harry has launched his latest sonic experience. "As It Was," the lead single from his upcoming third studio album Harry's House, is a wistful rumination on personal growth and life changes.

Written and produced by Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson, and Harry himself, "As It Was" is Harry's most commercially-minded lead single yet. The track finds Harry giving his take on the 80s pop trend that has Top 40 in a seemingly unbreakable chokehold. "As It Was" blends effervescent synths and guitars that mark a pivot from the staunch pop-rock sound the One Direction alumnus opted for during the runs of his first two albums. With the musical legacy of A-ha and Depeche Mode in mind, Harry flips the intrinsic euphoria of 80s synthpop with lyrics that are shockingly despondent. Couple that with his forlorn vocal delivery, and "As It Was" suddenly becomes a much more interesting song than its instrumental may have suggested. "Answer the phone / 'Harry, you're no good alone / Why are you sitting at home on the floor? / What kind of pills are you on?'," he sings in the harrowing opening to verse 2. The sentiment of reflecting on the bittersweetness of the past mixed with a clear need to be present for the metamorphosis of life is a lot to pack into one song, but Harry pulls it off. "As It Was" is excellently paced; it's a constantly swelling slow burn that ends with a robust final 45 seconds.

"As It Was" is the most direct Harry has ever been in terms of gunning for radio, and it's clearly going to pay off handsomely. The next benchmark is hearing how this fits into the larger context of Harry's House.

Score: 74