AS IT WAS
By By Chris
“As It Was,” the lead single from Harry Styles’ third studio album Harry’s House, signals a notable shift in the artist’s sonic palette. Where his previous work leaned heavily into classic rock pastiche, equal parts Pink Floyd, Bowie, and Fleetwood Mac, this track dives headfirst into a breezy, synth-driven sound reminiscent of the 1980s. With a bouncing rhythm, bright keyboard riffs, and emotionally ambiguous lyricism, “As It Was” showcases Styles as both a keen student of pop music history and a pop star adept at crafting sleek, radio-ready hits. But beneath its shimmering surface lies a song that plays it safe emotionally, even as it gestures at vulnerability.
“As It Was” is built around a propulsive beat and an earworm synth line that evokes the spirit of A-Ha’s “Take On Me,” a nostalgic reference point that adds to the song’s immediate charm. The production is light on its feet, carried by drum machines and effervescent bells that keep the energy high even as the subject matter leans toward melancholy. Styles’ vocal performance is understated, almost delicate, more whispered than belted, giving the track an airy, wistful quality.
His delivery feels like a soft dusting of powdered sugar over a potentially bitter core, lending the track emotional ambiguity. This juxtaposition of tone and content becomes one of the song’s defining features.
“As It Was” hints at personal disorientation and emotional estrangement. The central line, “You know it’s not the same as it was,” repeats like a resigned mantra, but it lacks clarity or specificity. Is Styles reflecting on a failed relationship, personal change, or broader cultural disconnection? The ambiguity makes the track widely relatable but also emotionally evasive. The most compelling moment comes in a verse where Styles sings from the floor in a drugged-up haze, answering a call from a concerned loved one. The sudden shift in perspective, seeing himself through the caller’s worried eyes, offers a rare, arresting glimpse of self-awareness. However, the song quickly retreats from that emotional clarity into more generalized statements, missing a chance to fully explore its emotional terrain.
This tendency toward abstraction has been a consistent feature of Styles’ songwriting, more mood than message, more vibe than narrative. While this approach works well in creating atmospheric pop, it can also limit the emotional resonance of his music. “As It Was” teases emotional depth but ultimately doesn’t follow through, leaving the listener with a sense of being held at arm’s length. The song winds down as it began, with no dramatic payoff or lyrical resolution, a smooth emotional arc that favors aesthetic cohesion over catharsis.
“As It Was” is a sleek and satisfying pop single, elevated by its nostalgic charm and clean production. It doesn’t reinvent Styles’ sound but refines it, leaning into a lighter, synth-pop sensibility that feels both contemporary and timeless. Yet, while the song is undeniably catchy and well-crafted, its reluctance to commit to emotional vulnerability makes it feel more like a stylish snapshot than a deep confession. It’s a track that succeeds in style and mood but leaves something to be desired in substance, a fleeting glimpse into Harry’s house, with the door left only slightly ajar.