KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. – Harry Styles reveals the charming story behind the most unusual album title of the year.
Harry Styles is back – with a clear message: lightness, openness and fun are at the heart of his new musical era. On Thursday, January 23, 2026, the British pop star announced his “Together, Together” world tour and released “Aperture,” the first single from his upcoming album KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY., due out March 6th. The next day, Styles spoke in detail for the first time on the “BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show” about the new song, the unusual album title and surprising experiences off stage.
The last song became the key to the album
“Aperture” marks the comeback after a long break and is a five-minute, electronically colored pop song. The track was created together with Styles’ long-time companion Kid Harpoon – as the last song for the album. This is exactly where its special meaning lies, Styles explained in the interview. The song was created when the creative pressure was gone and the team felt “most free”. “It felt like the essence of what the album is about,” Styles said.
Kissing, disco, balance: what lies behind the album title
The album title KISS ALL THE TIME was particularly talked about. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. When asked, Styles provided an explanation that was both absurd and charming. It’s about not seeing things obstinately: you can kiss all the time, but you can also take a break and go to the disco. The title symbolizes balance and playful freedom. Anecdotes from his time out also show that Styles lives this attitude: from helping to park a Fiat 500 at the Glastonbury Festival to a spontaneous visit to St. Peter’s Square in Rome during the announcement of Pope Leo XIV. “It was totally crazy,” said Styles looking back.
Whoever got it on January 21st got a poster of the cover. at the pre-listening in Neukölln was:
From LCD Soundsystem to Post-Punk: The musical influences
Musically, Styles is oriented more towards classic pop songwriting this time, but also names LCD Soundsystem and the post-punk band The Durutti Column as formative influences. He was particularly inspired by attending two LCD Soundsystem concerts. “Seeing how absorbed they are in their music made me realize how I want to feel on stage,” he explained.
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Unrecognized in the audience: The magic of live music rediscovered
After 169 concerts on his “Love On Tour”, which ended in Bologna in 2023, his return to the role of the audience shaped him. Experiencing concerts as a listener again made him realize why live music is so special for many people. He remains unrecognized – at least sometimes. “If it’s dark enough and the music is loud enough, it’s actually pretty easy,” Styles joked.
Reorientation after years on tour
In terms of content, “Aperture” also reflects a phase of reorientation. After years of almost non-stop touring, he needed some distance to open himself up to the world again. “I gained a lot of important insights, especially about allowing more positive things into my life,” said the singer. The song was the “perfect icing on the cake” – the moment when it was clear: the album was finished.
From May 17th he will be bringing his new music to the world’s biggest stages – with stops in Amsterdam, London, New York, São Paulo, Mexico City and Australia. Just in the spirit of the album title: kissing, dancing – and occasionally just in the middle of it all.