Change is inevitable; you either accept it or live in delusion. That’s the main takeaway from singer Harry Styles’ new single “As It Was.”
Styles released the track March 31 at 6 p.m. CST. It is the lead single off his new album, “Harry’s House” set to release May 20.
The track intertwines itself with an upbeat instrumental perfect for sunset drives, but reflecting lyrics perfect for laying in bed wrapped under the covers with tears streaming down your face.
This is easily Styles’ most vulnerable song yet.
This song shows significant growth for the singer as an artist and a songwriter. This new, mature sound steps out of his past country-pop influences and embraces his own style.
It’s easy to get lost in the melodic beats that feature a repetitive synth and upbeat drums. It’s reminiscent of a late ‘80s The Cure song, mixed with some modern elements of artists like Dayglow.
Every listen you will notice something new like the bouncy guitar or the bells in the background.
The lyrics are what makes this song special, however.
Fans had several theories of what the song meant. Many fans believe it to be about the singer’s girlfriend and actress, Olivia Wilde as she trended on Twitter Thursday night when the song was released.
As songs are always up for the listener’s interpretations, this song has one true conflict: do you stay in your normal routine or do you embrace the change?
Styles sings the opening lyric, “Holdin’ me back, gravity’s holdin’ me back.”
The accompanying music video, which premiered on YouTube at the same time, adds to this analysis. It features Styles in a red jumpsuit, revolving around a woman in a blue jumpsuit.
The two come together and then move apart. However, it’s at the end when Styles is at his happiest, dancing around when we no longer see the woman in the blue.
Fans recognized this as a familiar reference to “The Matrix.” Do you take the blue pill or the red one?
Styles chose the red pill: he chose to live freely and explore wonderland.
This song takes on nostalgia, “you know it’s not the same as it was.”
There’s no going back to the way things were when you were a kid, or before the pandemic. As much as you hope to change things and live in the past, the only way to be free is to move on.
It’s the feeling of reflecting back on your childhood and how simple things used to be; it’s bittersweet.
But you will never be the same. You either keep moving backward or move in the right direction.
It’s easy to say Styles is moving in the right direction.
Following this single, there are high hopes this new album will bring a new milestone for the singer and be his best yet.
