I think, when I originally had it, it was about a specific house in a kind of geographical thing, and then, I think, during the process of the album, that became much more of an internal journey of finding home and peace within yourself, and all of that kind of stuff. Later that day, Styles announced the album’s lead single, “As It Was,” which later released on April 1, 2022. The album cover sees the 28-year-old singer in a room with midcentury furniture on the ceiling dressed head-to-toe in none other than Molly Goddard. A few days later, on March 27, posters with the saying “IT’S NOT THE SAME AS IT WAS” were seen in different locations throughout the world.

With speculation over hidden meanings and messages aside, the track kicks off with his five-year-old goddaughter saying “Come on Harry, we wanna say goodnight to you”, before going into an upbeat, infectious hook that will undoubtedly get you bopping. My favorite thing about this album is while it’s so different, I think it was very much made with the same intent as Fine Line… I think it just felt like, from the first album, I think it wasn’t necessarily like a super commercial album. Kicking things off with the best of the best, this limited edition coloured vinyl is ideal for fans of analogue.By the time we went out touring [for Fine Line, I’d finished this album and I got to play those songs [from Fine Line] with the knowledge of what was next. I think it’s also the most free I’ve ever felt making music, it’s the most proud I’ve felt on anything I’ve made.

In terms of the latest release though, “As It Was”, the new song is clearly a very personal track, with references to loneliness and life in the public eye, with lyrics that are at times emotional.The T-shirt is adorned with “treat people with kindness”, a slogan Styles has been using on his merch since his first solo tour, and it serves as a reminder to others, and yourself to always be kind.