It's A Fine Line

Harry Styles' sophomore album, Fine Line, was released last Friday which means I have now been listening to it for roughly 72 hours straight. I am notoriously bad at choosing favorites, but I will try just about anything once if I think it might make Harry smile like this:

While I know that these opinions will probably change as I grow with the songs, here is my ranking of Fine Line as of Monday, December 16th at 7:42pm:

12. She

Who is she? Is she the ideal woman that everyone chases but doesn’t exist. Is she Harry’s more feminine side that was denied for years? Is she the super star that fans daydream about without really knowing?

I know Harry doesn’t like to interpret his songs, and that’s okay. I think in a way that once songs are released they belong to the listeners in a way they can’t belong to the artist, and I hope she is exactly who every person listening needs her to be.

I think this is a really good song, but I simply don't think it was better than any of the other songs on the album.

Best Lyric: And he’s thinking of you, like all of us do

11. Cherry

Listen. I know that some people may very well want to burn me at the streak for this, but Cherry is overall not my favorite song on the album so far. I think that it is a good song, and I love the ending with the voicemail, but it just doesn't quite do it for me.

What does it for me is the one lyric, “I noticed that there’s a piece of you in how I dress.” Each person that has a profound impact on your life rubs off on you, whether that’s in the clothes you wear or the music you listen to. Harry has certainly impacted many little pieces of me.

Best Lyric: I noticed that there’s a piece of you in how I dress

10. Watermelon Sugar

This song is very repetitive, but that is not to say repetition is a bad thing. This song gives me the same feelings that I get when I’m reading a sultry romance novel and there’s a long, detailed sex scene and then the chapter ends with short, sweet line to the effect of “and we did it all again.”

Best Lyric: Breathe me in, breathe me out. I don’t know if I could ever go without.

9. Fine Line

*chef’s kiss* The perfect finale. If he doesn’t end the set list with this song and have us all there, sobbing and singing “we’ll be alright” at the top of our lungs for hours after he leaves the stage I will riot. *chef’s kiss*

But alas, this is toward the bottom of the list because I think there are other songs on the album that do what Fine Line is trying to do better than it is doing it.

Best Lyric: You’ve got my devotion. But man, I hate you sometimes.

8. Lights Up

What an ANTHEM. This song just makes me want to unapologetically be exactly who I am and I am so glad Harry is getting to do that. While some took the “I’m not ever going back” as he’s never going to do a One Direction reunion, to me it feels more like saying he’s never going back to how certain things were in One Direction (which, as much as I love them is a good thing). Also, 10/10 would give up any organ to be part of this video:

Best Lyric: Shine, I’m not ever going back

7. Canyon Moon

This song got me reminiscing an experience I never had. Without a doubt, it is the track that plays over me walking through the streets of my hometown with a flowing dress during spring time as the protagonist in the movie of my life. There are flowers in my hand and in my hair and everywhere.

Best Lyric: quick pause in conversation, she plays songs I’ve never heard

6. Treat People With Kindness

I’ve heard a lot of people say they either love or hate this song, and I am firmly in the love camp (not met gala pun intended). Love the beat, love the choir, love it all. I can close my eyes and already so, so clearly see Harry dancing to this song. It’s a true anthem. It’s a true blessing. It’s a true motto to live by. It just makes me feel good.

My one complaint is that there is not a single time Harry actually says “Treat People With Kindness” in the song (although the end where he says “just a little bit of kindness!” in echo gave me life).

Best Lyric: I don’t need all the answers, feeling good in my skin I just keep on dancin’

5. To Be So Lonely

My jaw was on the floor the entire time I listened to this song. It was so unexpected, and yet, it was the perfect “ending” to the breakup trio that is Cherry>Falling>To Be So Lonely. Even with the title lyric, it feels like that freedom you finally feel when you know you’re on your own and you know you’re going to be okay anyway.

Best Lyric: “I’m just an arrogant son of a bitch who can’t admit when he’s sorry”

4. Golden

Harry once said “it’s like driving down the coast. That’s what this song is for” and I don’t think there’s a better way to describe it, so I’m not even going to try except to say that this song is like daisies and warmth on the coldest winter day. Also it has MAJOR grown up/glowed up Na Na Na vibes with all the dadadadas.

Best Lyric: I know that you're scared because I'm so open

3. Adore You

Every single part of this song feels like a package deal. I can’t say one thing about the song without wanting to say one thing about every part of it. Just like traveling to the (fake) island of Eroda, this song feels like an *experience*. Pure and simple: I’d walk through fire for Harry. Miley Cyrus’ Adore You, who?

Best Lyric: Like it’s the only thing I’ll ever do

2. Sunflower, Vol. 6

When the Fine Line track list was announced, I sent it to my friends and said “tag yourself--I’m Sunflower, Vol. 6.” and let me tell you, I am not disappointed in my choice. This song is a magical experience from second one to second two hundred and twenty one. Very retro, beach party vibes got me swaying back and forth in my cubicle. I must hear volumes 1-5 if it is the last thing I do.

Best Lyric: Kiss in the kitchen like it’s a dance floor, I couldn’t want you any more tonight.

1. Falling

This song hurts worse than any heartbreak I’ve ever felt. The desperation is just dripping from his voice. I know he said the album was all about having sex and being sad, but I didn’t think it would make ME this sad. I don’t know anything about Camille Rowe, but I’m about to knock down her door asking her to need Harry again.

Best Lyric: What if I’m someone I don’t want around?

Look, there's a fine line between literally every song on the list. (I'm sorry. I know. But I had to.) Another day, in another mood, and this could've been the complete opposite from what it is here. If I were a professor, this is where I would say "if you remember one thing from my class, I want you to remember this: I don't know much, but what I do know is that I love Harry Styles and this album is a masterpiece."