Wednesday 21st January 2026: it is pouring with rain and the temperature feels like one degree, but optimism and excitement radiate down the streets of Soho, London.

words by Ella Barrett

I was privileged enough to attend the London listening party for Harry Styles’ newest single, Aperture, this week — and I’ll admit, I went in with apprehension. A bizarrely large variety of comparisons had been circulating on my social media, all of them contradicting one another to no end.

But after a long, damp wait, I was greeted by the sound of synth-pop and soft harmonies while standing in a sepia-toned record shop — and I’ll admit, I felt as though I was being welcomed home. The single is not a techno record, in my opinion, but rather a culmination of genres known to have influenced Harry over the course of his career. The track instantly reels you in with a soft electronic beat not dissimilar to LCD Soundsystem, gradually building into an addictive dance track laced with emotional sentiment.

Through both the lyrics — Go forth, ask questions later — and the undeniable catchiness of the nostalgic synth, the song fosters a clear sense of optimism as Harry launches us into his new era, encouraging us to let the light in, much like an aperture on a camera.

The build-up of his vocals alongside Wolf Alice’s Ellie Roswell’s creates a prolonged dopamine hit, making us loosen up and open ourselves to the unfamiliar. The record inspires listeners to try new things, make personal discoveries, and be willing to step outside familiarity. Despite the nightclub-ready tinge to the song, Harry’s signature sunlit ’70s influence still seeps through his voice, paired with a radical encouragement to hug strangers on sticky dancefloors as he repeats the lyrics, We Belong Together.

All in all, I cannot wait to hear crowds of thousands singing in unison under the pulpy June heat.