Rating: 10/10
Harry Styles’ second solo album was very sonically different from his debut (which I plan to review as well) but in a good way. While his first album was more alternative and rock oriented, this album is indie-pop and, at times, psychedelic. I think Harry has really defined his personal sound, and honestly, this is a fantastic album. I was never a huge fan of One Direction (I’m a huge fan now, so I’m planning on reviewing some, if not all since there’s only five, of their albums), but something compelled me to listen to Harry’s solo music and I’ve been converted into a serious fan of his.
Thematically, this album explores the idea that in every relationship (and life in general) there will be moments of extreme euphoria and joy, and moments of extreme sadness. This album has songs that are meant to represent the best and worst times of a relationship, and at the end, the closing track tells us that you just need to take the bad times with the good, and even if it doesn’t end up working out, just be grateful for the memories that were made.
Before the ranking begins, I just wanna clarify that there isn’t a single song on Fine Line that I don’t like. Seriously, they all slap. Coming up with this ranking was very challenging, so I’m sorry if I ranked your favorite towards the bottom. With that being said, let the ranking begin.
12. Treat People With Kindness (Track 11)
I feel so bad ranking this last. I actually really like it a lot, so that should speak to the quality of this album. Upon my first listen this song did nothing for me, but it’s really grown on me. Mainly I just like the upbeat theme, and I love Harry’s voice in the verses. I always like when he doesn’t hold back with his vocals. On this album especially, he has a tendency to under-sing, so it was refreshing to hear him go a little crazy. I also like the vocal effects towards the end. The only thing I don’t love about this song is the chorus. Sorry. “Giving second chances, I don’t need all the answers. Feeling good in my skin, I just keep on dancing.”
11. Watermelon Sugar (Track 2)
The guitar in this song is SO GOOD. This song just has such good vibes (please pretend I used a more intelligent description). It makes me want to lay on a beach and drink a smoothie. While it’s not the deepest track on Fine Line, it’s a great addition to the record, and a great choice for single. Thematically, it continues Golden’s ideas of being in the honeymoon phase of a relationship, where you just want to be around the person as much as possible. I’m only a little bit bored of this song because it’s been played a lot, but I still like it a lot.
10. To Be So Lonely (Track 7)
This was originally one of my least favorites from the album (I never disliked it, but I didn’t love it) but it’s really grown on me. I really like how this song represents a drunk phone call, and I like how it’s a change from Cherry and Falling, where Harry is insisting to be left alone, rather than longing to be taken back. Overall, this is an awesome song and a great addition to the album. Melodically, it doesn’t grab me as much though.
9. She (Track 8)
I really like the jazzy and laid-back vibe of this song (also side note, the verses kind of remind me of A Day In The Life by The Beatles. Anyone else?) and I like the jam session towards the end. I guess it just wasn’t one of my absolute favorites, but I do think it’s a standout track because it’s very different. It’s really grown on me though. As far as mellow, dreamy jam sessions go, this song is pretty outstanding. Honestly, the only reason I have this so low is because I don’t really listen to it outside of the album, but this is a great song.
8. Falling (Track 6)
I know that most people would rank this higher up, and I would love to do that, but this song is so sad that I don’t find myself listening to it as often. I know it would make a great crying song though. Harry really delivered on that front. But I digress. Piano ballads are always a win for me (think Someone Like You and When I Was Your Man) so this song is, of course, a win as well. Harry is really open and honest here (while not being too revealing) and I think this is one of the most lyrically genuine songs on the album. “What am I now? What am I now? What if I’m someone I don’t want around? I’m falling again, I’m falling again, I’m falling.”
7. Golden (Track 1)
I really like this song. It’s just so happy, and it gives me the sunniest vibes. I like how it sets the stage for the story arc of Fine Line. This song opens up the album in the middle of the honeymoon stage of the relationship, where everything is new and exciting and fun. This is a really good song, but it’s not top tier for me. “You’re so golden. I’m out of my head, and I know that you’re scared because hearts get broken.”
6. Fine Line (Track 12)
I originally didn’t really love this song, but it’s really grown on me recently. For starters, it’s probably one of the most sonically-gorgeous songs I’ve heard in a while. The guitar is absolutely ethereal and atmospheric and haunting, and Harry’s vocals just make this song feel like a dream. Plus, I’d argue it’s the most lyrically impressive song on the album (not in the chorus, which is rather repetitive, but in the verses). The only thing that keeps this song from being higher up is the repetition in the chorus, and I wish Harry would’ve dropped the falsetto at some point. But that’s a minor complaint. This song is still absolutely beautiful and a great closer for the album. Also, I love the triumphant crescendo at the end.
5. Canyon Moon (Track 10)
I can understand why Canyon Moon isn’t a lot of people’s jam, but I happen to love it. It does have a very silly and upbeat vibe to it, which doesn’t really fit in with the other songs, but I think it suits this one very well. Something about the “I’m going home” theme really hits with me (plus it sounds great musically/vocally). It’s just very comforting and nostalgic. Moreover, I love the image this song paints. That’s one thing I really appreciate about this album; the lyrics have a very visual descriptiveness to them. Listen to this song if you want your mood to instantly go from a 3 to an 8.
4. Adore You (Track 10)
This song is a total radio song, but that doesn’t mean that it’s generic, because it isn’t at all. Rather, it’s just so incredibly catchy and infectious that it was a great choice to make it a single. The bassline and background vocals are perfection. Harry as an artist is doing a great job of bringing back 70s/80s musical style, and it’s especially apparent in this song. Harry’s voice is always lovely, but it’s really great here. In summary: Adore You is a bop for the ages, and Harry kinda saved the Top 40 with it.
3. Lights Up (Track 4)
This was such a good lead single for the album. Like, this song is so freaking good it’s not funny. The “ladadadada” part sends me. The chorus is also super catchy, and I just love the vibe of this song. Harry’s voice is perfection, as always. I pretty much never get sick of listening to this song, and I think Lights Up has a very timeless sound. It’s just such a well-put-together and gorgeous song.
2. Sunflower, Vol. 6 (Track 9)
This is a song that I wasn’t expecting to like very much, but I actually love it. It just has such a cute and summery feeling to it (it’s also, in my opinion, the most psychedelic song on the album, which adds to its fun qualities). This is the type of song that plays over a romantic montage in a rom-com. To be honest, what really makes the song for me is the high and low vocal layering on the “tonight” part. That stuff slaps. Oh, and the ad-libs at the end give me life.
1. Cherry (Track 5)
“I confess, I can tell that you are at your best. I’m selfish so I’m hating it. I noticed there’s a piece of you in how I dress. Take it as a compliment.” This song wasn’t even my favorite when I first listened to Fine Line, but I seriously love it now. The gentle acoustic and atmospheric vibe to it is so lovely. Harry’s really vulnerable on this track. Cherry sees him feeling remorseful, bitter, and even angry over the lack of communication and connection between him and his now-ex-girlfriend, and the way that he describes the lasting influence she’s had on him is really beautiful. Plus, the way it falls silent at the end and you think it’s over, just for it to softly come back with an old voice-recording playing is so artistic and creative. I know I said earlier that I prefer it when Harry extends his voice, but I really love his simple vocal approach here. It just adds to the melancholy tone. Overall, this is a gorgeously honest song that breathes life into the normal breakup song standards. “Don’t you call him baby. We’re not taking lately. Don’t you call him what you used to call me.”
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