POP FUNK/POP ROCK

Harry’s House
By Harry Styles

The third studio album by the English singer and songwriter, featuring 13 tracks, it has received widespread critical acclaim. It’s supported by two singles – As It Was – a TikTok sensation – and Late Night Talking – the first song on the LP to be written. The name of the album is inspired by Japanese music and song artist, Haruomi Hosono’s Hosono’s House, which released in the 1970s. Incidentally, Harry kicks things off with Music For A Sushi Restaurant, a number evoking subtle, sensual imagery, perfect for that night out All the songs have easy-to-sing lyrics that you will relate to. They touch upon the shades of love, a major theme – pursuing someone, as in Satellite and Cinema; the pain of separation voiced on Love Of My Life and Daylight. Conversational lyrics bring out the vulnerability and fragility of emotions in this one.
The sound of the album has 1970s influences with the use of synths and horns; you can also pick up R&B. It features John Mayer on lead guitar on Cinema and Daydreaming. While there are groovy numbers that will have you snapping your fingers and swaying your head from side to side, the album also offers tracks such as Boyfriends and Keep Driving the perfect background score to a long drive – which put you in a relaxed mood. An interesting factoid about Boyfriends is that it’s the only song that wasn’t written in 2020 and 2021; Harry began writing it during the final week of recording on his second studio album Fine Line which was released in 2019.

ALTERNATIVE/INDIE

C’mon You Know
By Liam Gallagher

The third solo studio album by English musician Liam Gallagher. In it, he is said to have moved away from his usual tough self, exploring softer realms with both the music and song writing, making it a compelling listen. With most music enthusiasts calling it generally wellreceived, Liam himself believes it to be “odd” – “80% peculiar but 20% classic”.
The album opens with More Power – a children’s choir – portraying Liam at his most tender and vulnerable. The song writers touch upon themes such as healing as on Sweet Children; unrealised dreams on It Was Not Meant To Be; freedom from illusions and lies found on the musical banger I’m Free, all offering a hopeful and optimistic energy. Throughout the album, you will find the mood swaying; while the piano-driven Too Good For Giving Up tugs at your heart strings, Better Days is guaranteed to put a spring in your step and, though its lyrics may sound vague to some, they will resonate with manyothers – Liam is not one to slap a definitive meaning on the words he sings rather, he prefers that listeners interpret and takeaway what they want to.
The sound of the album swings from intense as on Don’t Go Halfway to soft on Moscow Rules, Too Good For Giving Up and The World Is In Need; sometimes, you find the energy picking up in the same song such as on Diamonds In The Dark. Soulfully strung together, the album has punk, rock and psychedelic pop vibes. The perfect summer album with its concert feel, C’mon You Know is a musical entertainer all the way.