Harry Styles, Harry Styles

Released on May 12, 2017, the self-titled debut Harry Styles was a bold departure from his boy-band roots. It established him as a serious solo artist with a sound deeply rooted in 1970s soft rock, classic British guitar pop, and psychedelic folk.

Key Tracks

• "Sign of the Times": A dramatic, piano-led epic that served as the lead single. At nearly six minutes long, it signaled Styles' interest in the "stadium rock" grandeur of the 1970s.

• "Kiwi": The album's most aggressive track, featuring heavy guitar riffs and a rowdy, rock-and-roll energy. It became a staple of his live shows for its high intensity.

• "Two Ghosts": A folk-leaning ballad that utilizes slide guitar and acoustic textures. It highlights a more reflective, vulnerable side of his songwriting.

• "Sweet Creature": A stripped-back acoustic song that focuses on vocal harmony and finger-picked guitar, reminiscent of early 70s singer-songwriter records.

• "From the Dining Table": An intimate, quiet closing track that deals with the mundane details of heartbreak, noted for its raw and honest lyrics.

• Interesting Facts

  • The "Pink" Aesthetic: The album’s cover art and overall visual theme used a specific shade of "millennial pink." The cover photo shows Styles in a bathtub, representing a sense of "cleansing" and a fresh start for his solo identity.

  • Jamaica Sessions: Much of the record was written at the Geejam Hotel in Jamaica. Styles and his band isolated themselves there to avoid paparazzi and industry pressure, focusing entirely on the "old school" feel of the music.

  • Musical Influences: During the writing process, the band reportedly spent their nights listening to vinyl records by Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and The Rolling Stones, which heavily informed the analog, warm production of the album.

  • The Band Dynamic: Rather than using a revolving door of session players, Styles worked with a core group of musicians (including Mitch Rowland and Tyler Johnson), which gave the record a cohesive "band" feel rather than a typical pop star solo project.

  Impact and Legacy

  The album debuted at #1 in multiple countries and successfully pivoted Styles' career away from teen pop toward a more mature, alternative-rock audience. It proved that a modern pop star could find success by looking backward to the gold standard of 1970s analog recording.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve