Harry Styles

[dougjwray]

My teenage daughter played me some of Harry Styles's solo music, and hmmm... not so bad! Apparently, he writes his own songs, so he's not all boy band fluff. He can sing, too.
Live and learn!
Anyway, listen to the chunky, gritty bass sound and part on this one! (Headphones recommended.)

 

[HearNoStevil]

 

[dougjwray]

Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for!

 

[HearNoStevil]

Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for!

On second listen I have to admit it isn't nearly as bad as I thought, and I can hear some bass. I'm sure it's some generic studio guy, but it seems to be real bass so there's a plus there. Again, not nearly as bad as it could have been. But, not good. Not good at all.

 

[dougjwray]

I think I was just shocked to hear real bass, and I think it's not looped, either. I like the pick & flatwounds sound, with some dirt on it. And it's mixed quite high, considering it's modern pop music. I guess I was expecting total One Direction-style fluff, with generic synth bass, and found a bit more substance here. I think he can sing, too... I think I detect some Rufus Wainwright and Ed Sheeran influences there.
Anyway, thanks for listening...

 

[ElectroVibe]

Actually, I like some of his more mainstream stuff. Good pop/R&B contemporary is what I thought he was like before listening to this track.

 

[ElectroVibe]

In other words, I was expecting to hear Luther Vandross.
What I got instead was more like Gang of Four.

 

[vvvmmm]

That was surprisingly ... OK.

But then I am a big Gang of Four fan.

 

[BioWeapon]

People might unfairly write off Harry Styles because of the connection to One Direction... the solo stuff is way better than the original boyband could ever be!

 

[Wood and Wire]

In other words, I was expecting to hear Luther Vandross.
What I got instead was more like Gang of Four.

Well that was enough to make me check it out.

I think he's been listening to Beck, Harry Nilsson, and Gerry Rafferty.

I only listened over my phones speaker, but I think every instrument is sample based, and programmed - possibly the guitar isn't a V.I. but I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

 

[vvvmmm]

People might unfairly write off Harry Styles because of the connection to One Direction... the solo stuff is way better than the original boyband could ever be!

Yeah, well, I still gotta write him off because of the connection to One Direction.

And the geeky image he presents.

And his name is no help - I mean, what is he, a fashion plate for the hirsute?

Gimme Harry O or Harry Callahan or Harry Bosch, every time.

And also because of the connection to One Direction.

But he was OK on SNL, also.

BTW, what was the "one direction"? Sure not SWSX, but mebbe a better name than The Backstreet Boys - less obvious, see.

 

[dougjwray]

According to my daughter, who's becoming an authority on Mr. Styles, he refuses to use Autotune. This is good, and it leads me to think that the bass on this song might actually be played all the way through by a human. A very consistent, grooving human.

 

[FSGrind]

He rocks.
Can’t hate the guy for being marketable.

he’s a great songwriter & a talented guy. There’s a reason he’s famous.

 

[TimboZ]

My child has forced me to listen to a bunch of his music. Also saw him live. I think he is talented. Check out his in studio performance on The Howard Stern show doing Sledgehammer.

 

[ElectroVibe]

The first time I heard him I honestly didn't even think he was white. But this song is a totally different style from his usual.

 

[BassJuju]

There’s a video on iTunes where they are recording live at Abbey Road. The bass player switches between a J bass and a ripper if memory serves. I thought he had amazing tone.

 

[FishDub]

My two teen daughters play his stuff constantly, which then my wife plays his stuff because of them. So because of the torturous redundancy I hate his stuff..

 

[roller]

He's D-R-E-A-M-Y!!!

 

[BioWeapon]

Yeah, well, I still gotta write him off because of the connection to One Direction.

And the geeky image he presents.

And his name is no help - I mean, what is he, a fashion plate for the hirsute?

Gimme Harry O or Harry Callahan or Harry Bosch, every time.

And also because of the connection to One Direction.

But he was OK on SNL, also.

BTW, what was the "one direction"? Sure not SWSX, but mebbe a better name than The Backstreet Boys - less obvious, see.

Alright, seems pretty close-minded... Sorta reminds me of the people who say "all new music sucks!"

 

[Killing Floor]

I see what you did there, trying to lure me in with Gang of Four reference.
I'm afraid to press play on your link because I don't want the NSA to tag me as a potential ped!

What should I do? I'm a gigantor Andy Gill fan so anything close is gonna get my attention.

If you're feeling all in take some aspirin or some paracetamol.