After an eventful past couple of years from the former One Direction boys, Harry Styles cut his hair and released his first ever solo album self titled “Harry Styles” on Friday, May 12.

The 10-song album features his first ever single: “Sign of the Times.” The epic ballad is composed of a story and heart-wrenching vocals recognizable on previous One Direction albums. Quickly the song climbed the charts and Styles had his fans shaking with anticipation.

Styles reassured his fans’ excitement when he released his album. Each song is composed of different influences including Queen, Elton John and the Beatles. Each of his influences’ sounds are laced throughout the lyrics and rock-pop theme.

Each song centers around romantic stories. In songs like the upbeat ballad “Sign of the Times,” the bass heavy alternative song “Meet me in the Hallway” and the longing soft acoustic song “Two Ghosts” he profess his distraught for a lost love. While in other songs like the light airy “Only Angel” or the groovy sensual heartbreak song “Woman” he seems hopeful.

“Sweet Creature” is one of the more relaxed songs on the album, featuring an acoustic soundtrack with light backup vocals giving the song a delicate touch. While the lyrics convey a sense of connectedness, throughout the soft lullaby he repeats “you bring me home.” With this he delivers the thought that no relationship is perfect but the couple is still holding on.

Styles surprised fans with “Kiwi.” The song is an alternative rock song that resembles late ‘90s rock. With its fast-paced beat and loud confusing vocals, the song screams fun and features a vocal track that has a Unidyne microphone sound.

Surprisingly in “Carolina” Styles appropriately uses a “lala” sound in the background accompanied with “oh yeah.” If the background noises had been louder the song could have gotten quite annoying, but they were low enough to make his audience sing along.

“Ever Since New York” features a somber sound that expresses Styles’ need to remember what happened during his stay in New York. It’s a beautiful lyrical piece, but for style purposes the beat doesn’t really pick up. The song fails to deliver heavy-hitting emotion like his other slower songs on the album.

Altogether the album emits Styles’ experienced writing skills and seasoned voice fantastically. His ability to transform his voice from pure pop to a raspy groovy rock sound proves he has the opportunity to step out of the One Direction shadow and make a name for himself. The lyrical meanings behind each song break through each track and help his audience experience his own success. In addition to this, his quirky add-ons like the introduction to “Woman” where an unknown voice asks “Should we just search romantic comedies on Netflix and see what we find?” allow fans to see all sides of his personality.

Collectively “Harry Styles” earns 4 out of 5 stars for its true-to-character feel and overall composed sound.