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Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

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What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

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Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

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Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

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Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

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Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

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Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

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How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

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Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

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What Makes a Harry Styles Hook So Infectious

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Photo: Leigh Fahrion (Los Angeles Times)

On May 20, Harry Styles released his new album Harry’s House, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. This is his third studio album in which all thirteen songs are in the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100. Out of these songs, four are in the top 10: “As it Was” (No. 1), “Late Night Talking” (No. 4), “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” (No. 8), and “Matilda” (No. 9). Compared to when he was in One Direction, his music now conveys more gentle and sophisticated tones using vintage guitars and psychedelic harmonies. This new album features pop-funk, pop rock, synth-pop and R&B styles, focusing on topics in life like love and heartbreak.

The lead single, “As it Was”, is tied for longest running number one of the year so far with “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” at 7 weeks. The song was written and produced by Harry, Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, and unlike many of Harry’s rock-oriented tones, this song is a guitar-driven synth-pop track. With the focus on transition and loneliness, the music video with dancer Mathilde Lin, also creates a negative emotional feeling and mysterious tone to the song with its unique choreography.

Photo: Harry’s House Album Cover

This isn’t Harry’s first time achieving such great results. “Watermelon Sugar” from his last album Fine Line also became number one and later on, was awarded Song of the Year. So what makes us keep listening to his music.

Harry specializes in many forms of music, and the catchy tune and lyrics have stuck to the brains of its listeners, infecting them with his music. The relatable topics and mysterious nature of his songs bring people in to listen over and over. Harry can create his own unique world through his music. As humans, we carry many complicated emotions that are often difficult to express. We believe that the gentle yet intense, happy yet sorrowful music Harry produces speaks to our hearts, and helps express those difficult emotions. Harry does a great job targeting certain feelings in each song which is why we can’t stop ourselves from loving him and his music.

Harry has recently announced his Fall Residency Tour starting in August. We look forward to seeing his progression in the music industry and how he will spread his musical talent around the world.