This Major Pop Artist Is The Closest To Classic Rock We’ve Gotten In A Long Time

This pop star is actually way more of a rock music artist than it may seem. Since the end of classic rock in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the music industry has been way more dominated by pop stars. Artists like Britney Spears and NSYNC took over in the late ’90s, and throughout the 2000s and 2010s, pop music was the way of the world.

However, that doesn’t mean rock was completely dead. Artists who blew up in the 2020s, like Olivia Rodrigo and the Italian band Måneskin, have taken influences from some of the rock stars that came before them. However, another artist who was even once considered the new King of Pop is one of the only modern stars to really channel classic rock.

Harry Styles’ Music Truly Embodies The Best Of Classic Rock

Styles’ Music Has Always Borrowed Rock Influences

Since officially going solo from One Direction in 2017, Harry Styles has leaned more into rock music than pop. Possibly an effect of his wanting to separate himself from his boyband past, Styles took inspiration from stars like Stevie Nicks and Freddie Mercury for his music and stage presence. While he still has some songs that could be classified as pop, especially his Harry’s House track “Music For A Sushi Restaurant,” most of Styles’ music avoids electronic and overproduced sounds.

Instead, he opts for real instruments, aligning himself more within the classic rock genre. This was especially prevalent on his first solo album, Harry Styles. His lead single, “Sign of the Times,” was a vast change from the music he released with One Direction. Around the time that there were rumors that Styles was releasing a solo album, reports came out that it was being compared to David Bowie and Queen.

When his first single was finally released, it was said to have ’70s British rock influences. The rest of Styles’ album followed suit, with popular songs like “Kiwi” and “Only Angel” also having rock influences. Even on his more pop-influenced later releases, Styles continues to channel classic rock artists in his music.

Styles Is More Of A Rock Artist Than He Is A Pop Artist

While Harry Styles may be the biggest male pop star of his time, he’s actually way more rock-influenced. His status as a pop king really only comes from the fact that he has a mass following, making him a very popular artist. His music doesn’t resemble the bubble-gum pop hits that came before him from artists like Justin Bieber or even Michael Jackson. However, even Jackson, who was known as the King of Pop, dabbled with rock influences from time to time.

He’s often playing his guitar or running around the stage, getting the crowd riled up.

Styles, on the other hand, has mainly focused on making rock music that happens to resonate with a big enough audience for him to be considered a pop star. Even his stage presence makes him appear as more of a rock star. At Styles’ shows, he’s often playing his guitar or running around the stage, getting the crowd riled up. He doesn’t do the kind of choreography that the male pop stars before him did. Styles’ love of rock is what sets him apart and keeps him interesting even as new pop stars emerge.

HS4 Should Showcase Even More Of Styles’ Rocker Identity

Styles Should Embrace His Rock Star Persona To The Fullest

Harry Styles hasn’t released an album since 2022, but fans have been anticipating Styles’ next album release ever since. There have been a few rumors that he’s been in the studio, and it’s widely believed he will have his fourth album out soon. As the industry shifts, going further into rock could benefit Styles’ career. With Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan dominating the music industry since he’s been gone, he could separate himself by fully stepping into his rockstar persona.

There have also been a few male artists who have taken the industry by storm, including Benson Boone and Role Model. Styles will have to do something unique to stand out in order for his comeback to be successful. Embracing his rocker style could be the perfect thing for Harry Styles‘ next album.