Harry’s House — Harry Styles’ third solo album, released May 20, 2022, a sun-drenched pop record inspired by Joni Mitchell and Japanese city pop that won 2023 Grammy Album of the Year and made Harry the decade’s biggest male pop star.
The Album
Recorded with Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson, and producer-songwriter collective, the album explores intimacy, domesticity, and joy. 13 tracks of funk-pop, yacht rock, and 70s AM radio warmth.
Key tracks: “As It Was” (10 weeks #1, 2022’s biggest song, 15x Platinum, 3.5B YouTube views), “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” “Late Night Talking,” “Grapejuice,” “Matilda,” “Cinema,” “Daydreaming,” “Keep Driving,” “Satellite,” “Boyfriends.”
Chart performance: Debuted #1 with 521,000 units (biggest debut of 2022). Spent 14 non-consecutive weeks at #1 (tied for most weeks at #1 in 2022). All 13 tracks charted on Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously. Certified 3x Platinum.
As It Was Phenomenon
“As It Was” became 2022’s song of the year — 10 weeks at #1 US, 15 weeks #1 UK, TikTok viral dance, existential lyrics (“In this world, it’s just us”) soundtracked everything from weddings to breakups to memes.
The song’s nostalgic synth-pop (Tears for Fears vibes) and Harry’s vulnerable falsetto made it inescapable. 3.5 billion Spotify streams.
Grammy Victory
2023 Grammy Album of the Year over Beyoncé’s Renaissance, Adele’s 30, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, and others. Controversial win—many felt Beyoncé (still without an AOTY win despite 32 Grammys) was robbed again.
Harry’s acceptance speech thanked “Beyoncé and Lizzo and Adele” awkwardly, seeming aware of the controversy.
Cultural Moment
Harry’s House solidified Harry’s post-One Direction evolution from boyband heartthrob to serious artist. His gender-fluid fashion (Gucci campaigns, feather boas, pearls), acting (Don’t Worry Darling controversy, My Policeman), and queerbaiting accusations swirled, but the music’s quality was undeniable.
#HarrysHouse #AsItWas dominated 2022-2023. The album’s cozy domesticity (titular “house” as safe space metaphor) resonated post-pandemic.
Sources:
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/harry-styles-harrys-house/
https://www.grammy.com/