The year 2020 was a year of reflection for all and the entertainment industry prominently displayed music of artists’ self-reflections on topics ranging from life, love, to adventure.  Never failing to go out of ‘style’ is Harry Styles himself as he dropped his second solo studio album titled Fine Line and being the first male photographed solo on Vogue Magazine.  Coming off of his summer 2019 self-titled debut album, the now 27-year-old former One Direction member redefined success to him.  “I think if you’re making what you want to make, then ultimately no one can tell you you’re unsuccessful, because you’re doing what makes you happy,” Styles gave a statement to NPR.  The unapologetic confidence radiating off of the British singer is the theme throughout the ‘70s vibe album.

Harry Styles knew stepping out on a solo career would change his perspective, never knowing it would be relieving.  Styles didn’t feel the need to ‘put on an act’ anymore.  With no more images to hold up as a part of a larger act, Styles’ anecdotal remarks for his new appearance and sound originate back to a sixteen-year-old Harry Styles who wore black nail polish and Fleetwood Mac – who he admired for embodying the tone of freedom in ‘70s music.  Inspired by the ‘fresh’ sound in songs like Carole King’s Tapestry and Harry Nilsson’s songs, Styles remarks, “I want my drums to sound like these drums, and I want my strings to sound like these strings.” Faint stylistic choices by Styles, who has written the tracks on both of his solo albums are tributes to Styles’ aspirations such as the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Elvis Presley, Shania Twain, Savage Garden, Norah Jones.  And embodying his British and American influences displays his future pursuits.

Fans like myself and Samantha Cable, a fellow Winslow High senior, are enthralled like many others of Styles’ once One Direction fanbase.  Harry Style’s transition from boy band heartthrob to a classic-rock breakout is welcomed and embraced by fans old and new. “Personally I would say that it is one of the best albums ever created in this era,” says Cable who has ambitious hopes in Styles’ new musical and personal path.  Music is an emotional connection – fans from an international body being the foundation to stardom – and Styles’ provokes his fans to dig deep into the question of happiness and release all negative energies through danceable tunes to radiate a positive aura.  And Styles never fails to be a trendsetter as he takes what is old and makes it new again; sparking a new generation’s interest in classic rock.  “The way he gets his inspiration from other older artists like Elton John, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, etc. really sets him apart from so many other artists releasing music nowadays,” acknowledged Samantha Cable with praise.

Vogue Magazine shares the same passion as Cable and thus Vogue’s decision to have Harry Styles featured on the cover of the December issue of Vogue’s US edition, making him the first man to have appeared solo on the magazine’s cover. Gracing the cover in his friend and muse, Gucci’s Alessandro Michele’s handcrafted frothy, lace-trimmed taffeta dress, paired here with a double-breasted tuxedo jacket, Styles revealed how he likes to dress in women’s clothes and that putting a label on clothing is “just limiting yourself.” Crediting his style to the flamboyance of groundbreakers such as idols Prince, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, and Elton John.  As Styles embraces his new identity, he wishes others would do the same – relating his positively inclusive track Treat People With Kindness with a gospel, psychedelic tone. And the outpour of love from fans is not to miss! Samantha Cable delightfully closed with, “As a solo artist, he is so powerful with absolutely no one holding him back. And the music he releases definitely shows how amazing his talent is.  Fine Line is going to be one of those albums that no one could ever get tired of!”