The Harry’s House era has officially begun. Consider us fans.
On March 31 (midnight April 1 in London), Harry Styles debuted the lead single from his forthcoming album, which is set to release on May 20.
All week, Styles has been teasing “As It Was” on social media, namely a picture of his flexed-meets-relaxed backside, in which he dons a sparkly red ensemble. As seen in the music video, which also was released at the same time as the single, the outfit proves to be even better than expected.
“As It Was” ditches Style’s past ‘60 era rock and Laurel Canyon cosplay influences for something less guitar-based. The track pulses with ‘80s keyboards, certifying the former One Direction member as on track for a top-charting earworm.
The synth-pop tune begins with a voiceover from a small child pleading, “Come on Harry, we want to say goodnight to you!” Styles then appears in a stunning red trench coat pacing backward through forward-moving people who appear to be making their way through a 9 to 5 world.
But not for this rockstar.
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Styles ends up in a room on a looping stage, his red jumpsuit now in fall view. There, he encounters a woman in a sparkling blue suit.
“In this world, it’s just us,” he sings, embracing her. “You know it’s not the same as it was.”
She eventually falls off the stage.
But as quarreling lovers do, the duo come back together and fall apart over the course of the nearly three-minute video, during which we also are treated to Styles in a cathartic dance break. He seems to have taken a few cues from Mick Jagger.
And while he may be having fun as ever, the music’s vibrancy only masks the single’s true desolation.
“Answer the phone/Harry, you’re no good alone/Why are you sitting at home on the floor?/What kind of pills are you on,” he sings.
Currently, Styles is gearing up for a headlining performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival— a victory lap to his highly-praised “Love on Tour” run.
See the full music video below.
See also: Harry Styles Launches New Beauty Brand 'Pleasing'
Photography by: Theo Wargo/ Getty Images
