Harry Styles has released his fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., a project that largely abandons his pop-rock roots in favour of the synthesizers and four-on-the-floor beats of Berlin's electronic music scene. Released on March 6, 2026, the album documents a period of personal exploration for the artist following the conclusion of his extensive 'Love On Tour'.
The Berlin Influence
The album's identity is inextricably linked to the German capital. After his world tour wrapped in 2023, Styles relocated to Berlin, a move that immediately drew comparisons to David Bowie’s seminal 'Berlin Trilogy' of the late 1970s. Recording took place at the historic Hansa Studios, a location famous for producing albums by Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Depeche Mode.
According to interviews, Styles sought to capture the energy he found in the city's techno clubs, reportedly frequenting venues like Berghain. He described these spaces as places where the anonymity of the dance floor offered a sense of freedom—an experience that will be familiar to many in the queer community who find safety and self-expression in similar environments. This pursuit of "found freedom" became the album's guiding principle.
The lead single, "Aperture," a slow-burning house track, was directly inspired by attending LCD Soundsystem shows, with Styles citing the band's live energy as a major influence on the album's joyous, dance-focused direction.
Sound vs. Substance: The Critical Reaction
Critically, the album has been divisive, holding a "generally favorable" score of 76 out of 100 on Metacritic. The praise is aimed squarely at the album's sound, crafted with long-time collaborator Kid Harpoon.
- NME called the record "creatively fearless," while Rolling Stone UK praised it as "eclectic" and "impossible to pigeonhole."
- The production is noted for its ambition, particularly on tracks like "Season 2 Weight Loss," a deep techno cut featuring complex percussion from Tom Skinner of The Smile, and "Dance No More," a Daft Punk-indebted banger.
However, a recurring point of criticism focuses on the lyricism. Several reviews suggest a disconnect between the sophisticated production and the content of the songs.
- The Telegraph described the album as having "all the emotional heft of a perfume advert."
- The Times noted it was "musically deep and lyrically shallow," while Paste Magazine criticized the vocals for being "overprocessed or muted," making Styles feel like a "guest on his own album."
Perhaps the most succinct summary came from BBC News, which called the project "the funkiest existential crisis in pop."
Album and Tour Details
The album's launch was preceded by a viral marketing campaign involving a global poster series and cryptic WhatsApp voice memos sent to fans. In lieu of a traditional world tour, Styles has announced "Together, Together," a series of multi-night concert residencies in seven cities worldwide, kicking off with a show in Manchester that will be shown live on Netflix.
Key Tracks:
- "Aperture": The lead single, inspired by LCD Soundsystem.
- "American Girls": An infectious track built on heavy, thudding synths.
- "Season 2 Weight Loss": One of the album's most experimental techno moments.
- "Coming Up Roses": The only song written solely by Styles, a symphonic ballad with orchestral and gospel choir arrangements.
