‘As It Was’ is the first single off Harry Styles’ new album, Harry’s House, to be released on May 20th. ‘As It Was’ officially brings an end to the Fine Line era and sets the tone for what’s to come with the release of Harry’s House.

From the name alone fans have been speculating that the theme of this album will be about the feeling of ‘home.’ As It Was’ shattered expectations in the best way possible. The single expresses the idea of nostalgia for a lost home or a home that you have outgrown. The music video, released on the same day, takes this theme further to symbolize that the ‘home’ that is being remembered is a person.

The music video shows Harry being physically separated from the love interest in many different ways. First, he is ‘pulled back’ in the opening scene. Then he is running toward her but getting nowhere, and finally, they are physically pulled apart when the panels they are laying on are moved. The video starts with this symbolism of loss shifts at the end of the video. In the last few seconds, Harry is seen dancing with an air of carefreeness about him, smiling widely. This complete tonal shift symbolizes new beginnings and looking back on that time period fondly– creating the mood for what’s to come with the release of Harry’s House.

‘As It Was’ has already climbed to the top of the Billboard Top 100 in the little over two weeks since its release, making it Harry’s second Billboard #1 following ‘Watermelon Sugar’. ‘As It Was’ has also broken the record for most streamed song on Spotify in the first 24-hours after being released. It had 8.3 million streams, surpassing the previous record-holder ‘Driver’s License’ by Olivia Rodrigo.

Personally, I can see why the song hit the top of the charts and broke Spotify records. The song contains powerful lyrics and themes that feel all too familiar after two years in a pandemic. I predict the rest of Harry’s House will be just as powerful, relatable and gutwrenching as As It Was. As a Harry Styles fan, of course I adore his new single and look forward to the rest of Harry’s House being released in May.

Article by Marissa Mayfield