2022: The Year of Harry Styles
BY LIAM GILLIN (HE/HIM)Being the voice behind multiple trending audios on TikTok, a killer Coachella performance, a new album, a world tour, and also starring in two movies, it is safe to say that 2022 is the year of Harry Styles.
There is nothing more challenging and intriguing than seeing boy bands transition to solo artists. It is probably one of the biggest obstacles to conquer in the music industry. Who’s going to have the most hits as a solo artist? Will they have the same appeal as a solo act like they did in their band? Since 2016, we have seen One Direction be the newest boy band to take on this challenge.
There was no doubt that Harry Styles was going to thrive as a solo artist. Since his days in One Direction, he had the charm and unmatched musical talents that had the world fall in love with him over night.
Harry Styles performing live at Coachella 2022. Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Debuting as a solo artist in 2017 with his self-titled album and later in 2019 with Fine Line, Harry Styles achieved massive success as a solo artist. His most recent album Harry’s House was released this past May.
Harry’s House is an album that represents a plethora of things from finding comfort within oneself to sexual liberation. The album has given us hits such as “As It Was”, “MFSAR”, and “Matilda.” It gives us an insight on Harry Styles discovering who he is as an artist and an overall human being. Fans are encouraged to recognize the importance of constantly evolving as human beings too. The lyrics are more intimate this time around as well. They originate as a result of Styles stepping out of his comfort zone. The older Harry gets the more his maturity and vulnerability become visible in his work.
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As a result of this perspective of singing, Styles has attracted a loyal and strong fan base. As Lindsay Zoladz of the New York Times said,
“Harry Styles often sings from a perspective that is a combination of a prematurely wise elder, a personal cheerleader and a pro bono therapist.”
Not only is Styles admired for his music but also his fashion sense. Just like many male artists before him such as David Bowie, Harry is not afraid to explore elements of both masculinity and femininity. Because of him finding comfort in exploring gender expression, Styles has become fashion icon in the music industry.
2022 is the year of Harry Styles establishing himself into a new era. Harry has proven to the world he has matured in many aspects of his life and will continue to evolve as a human being. He has the world in his hands and is only going up from here.