Throughout his career, Harry Styles has proven that his music defies categorization. From his poppier days with One Direction to the more rock- and funk-inspired sounds of his solo music, every song and album have been a testament to his ongoing evolution as an artist.

His three solo albums thus far — 2017's Harry Styles, 2019's Fine Line, and 2022's Harry's House — have explored soft rock, psychedelic pop, and synth-pop. With such genre-fluid diversity in his discography, there's something for everyone to indulge in.

Styles' genre-blending techniques have undeniably made him a household name. The past two years solidified that, whether through his 169-show Love On Tour or his Album Of The Year win for Harry's House at the 2023 GRAMMYs. 

Though Styles has remained relatively quiet since the Love On Tour wrapped in July, he surely has fans anticipating his next move. For now, take a look at 10 Harry Styles tracks that illustrate the versatility and creativity that's helped him go from boy band member to solo sensation.

"Over Again," Take Me Home (2013)

A deep cut from One Direction's second album, Take Me Home, "Over Again" features an impressive solo from a then-19-year-old Styles. This song takes listeners on a nostalgic journey, looking back to the happier days of an ill-fated relationship, yearning for the ability to rewind time to a point before the love story unraveled.

Styles' emotionally charged vocal delivery accentuates and intensifies the profound sense of melancholy that is being relayed in the song. The depth in Styles' voice invites the audience to connect and empathize with the song's heartbroken narrative — a trait that still permeates in his solo ballads today. 

"Clouds," FOUR (2014)

Styles highlights his vocal prowess in a different way on One Direction's youthful FOUR cut "Clouds." Not only did it feature extensive, powerful vocal runs, but it also showcased the rock sensibilities of his voice. "Clouds" diverted from 1D's traditional pop sound and ventured into a more guitar-driven style, incorporating rock elements and arguably foreshadowing the sounds of Styles' debut album released three years later.

"Sign of the Times," Harry Styles (2017)

Styles kicked off his solo journey in bold fashion: a nearly six-minute ballad. The cinematic, '70s rock-inspired "Sign of the Times" presented a stark departure from his previous work with One Direction, hinting that he was more than ready to evolve musically on his own.

The release of the song marked a turning point in Styles' career, enabling him to embrace a more mature sound and gain credibility as a solo artist. His continued exploration of genres is a trait that Styles has carried into his later projects, ultimately establishing his status as a genre-fluid artist.

"Kiwi," Harry Styles (2017)

One of Styles' boldest steps into the rock genre, "Kiwi" tells a story about a rebellious and free-spirited girl who captures Styles' attention, despite knowing she's no good for him. In this lively track, Styles trades polished pop for unfiltered rock vocals, showcasing an edgier side he hadn't displayed in his boy band days — both lyrically and sonically.

The song's dynamic energy is further amplified by the rich supply of classic rock-inspired guitar grooves. While Styles hasn't revisited the raw sound of "Kiwi" much since, it serves as a reminder that he can tackle any creative technique he desires.

"Watermelon Sugar," Fine Line (2019)

One could argue that "Watermelon Sugar" is a perfectly crafted pop song: refreshing guitar grooves, a lively instrumental, sultry harmonized vocals. In fact, it's so flawless, it earned Styles his first GRAMMY in 2021 for Best Pop Solo Performance.

That's just one way the Fine Line single marked a pivotal moment in Styles' career. It also became his first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, proving that he has staying power as a pop star in his own right. And as one of two songs with more than 2 billion Spotify streams alone, "Watermelon Sugar" has also proven to be a Harry Styles classic. 

"Falling," Fine Line (2019)

One of Styles' most gut-wrenching tracks, "Falling" offers an introspective take on heartbreak. The haunting piano-driven melody emphasizes the pain in Styles' voice as he realizes his harmful habits caused him to lose a lover.

The song's emotional transparency and stripped-down vocals make it one of his most emotionally mature tracks, as well as one of his most captivating. While the track is Styles' lowest-charting single to date (it reached No. 62 on the Hot 100), "Falling" has proven itself to be a fan favorite, with more than 1 billion streams on Spotify. 

"Fine Line," Fine Line (2019)

Despite being the title track, "Fine Line" isn't just a deep cut from Styles' acclaimed 2019 album, it's an outlier in his whole discography — but in a beautiful way. The song is largely instrumental, with a lonely, yet emotionally-charged energy that highlights Styles' stunning falsetto.

In an interview with Capital FM, Styles cited a connection between the song's lyrics and his feelings throughout the album-making process; with the closing lyrics echoing, "We'll be alright," the song sheds light on the apprehension that often accompanies embarking on a new creative journey. The message foreshadowed Styles' subsequent ventures after the record's release, including a step into acting and the exploration of a new sound in Harry's House.

"As It Was," Harry's House (2022)

The lead single for Harry's House, "As It Was" served as Styles' first plunge into the synth-pop genre, which carried throughout the project. Despite the track's buoyant melody, its true essence conveys a more gloomy narrative. Styles explores the idea that nothing remains the same once being put into the limelight — a poignant message from one of pop's biggest stars.

Along with introducing a new sound for Styles, the brilliantly juxtaposing track also cemented him as a bonafide superstar. After "As It Was" debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in April 2022, it reigned for 15 weeks, marking the most for a British artist in the chart's history. It was also a chart titan in Styles' home country, becoming the longest-running No. 1 and best-selling single of 2022 on the UK Singles Chart. What's more, it helped Styles earn his first Record Of The Year GRAMMY nomination, and undoubtedly contributed to his Album Of The Year win at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

"Late Night Talking," Harry's House (2022)

Taking the synth-pop of "As It Was" into the '80s, "Late Night Talking" blends retro-inspired vocal distortions and groovy instrumentation. Yet, somehow, it has a timeless groove that still feels contemporary — a skill that has become a Styles trademark.

The single had big shoes to fill as it followed the smash hit "As It Was" but it fiercely proved that Styles' had room for multiple hit songs under his belt. "Late Night Talking" landed the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Pop Airplay Chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100 Chart.

"Matilda," Harry's House (2022)

One of Harry's House's few somber tracks, "Matilda" instantly became another fan favorite in his catalog. As he gently sings over plucked guitar instrumentals, he comforts someone who feels out of place within their family at home ("You don't have to be sorry for leavin' and growin' up," he sings in the chorus).

While Styles has delivered plenty of tender moments, the storytelling and emotion of "Matilda" arguably helps it stand as his most thoughtful composition to date. Although it remains as an album cut, "Matilda" is further proof that Styles' has mastered the skill of making music that resonates with listeners — whether he's compelling them to shed tears or dance along.

Harry Styles' Sonic Evolution: How He Grew From Teen Pop Idol To Ever-Evolving Superstar

After a wildly successful debut and sophomore record, you'd think it was impossible for Harry Styles to top himself. Yet, his third album, Harry's House, proved to be his most prolific yet.

The critically acclaimed project first birthed Styles' record-breaking, chart-topping single, "As It Was," then landed three more top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Late Night Talking," "Music for a Sushi Restaurant" and "Matilda." The album and "As It Was" scored Styles six nominations at the 2023 GRAMMYs — and helped the star top off his massive Harry's House era with an Album Of The Year win.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, revisit Styles' big moment from last year's ceremony, which was made even more special by his superfan, Reina Lafantaisie. Host Trevor Noah (who will return as emcee for the 2024 GRAMMYs) handed the mic to Lafantaisie to announce Styles as the winner, and the two shared a celebratory hug before Styles took the mic.

"I've been so, so inspired by every artist in this category," said Styles, who was up against other industry titans like Beyoncé, Adele, Lizzo and Coldplay. "On nights like tonight, it's important for us to remember that there is no such thing as 'best' in music. I don't think any of us sit in the studio, making decisions based on what will get us [an award]."

Watch the video above to see Harry Styles' complete acceptance speech alongside his collaborators Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. Check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind, and be sure to tune into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, airing live on the CBS Television Network (8 -11:30 p.m. LIVE ET/5-8:30 p.m. LIVE PT) and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

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James Corden may have jokingly made a video for Harry Styles' "Daylight" in three hours, for $300, but that's not the end of the story — Styles has finally finished the job.

On July 19, the three-time GRAMMY winner  — including Album Of The Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs, for his blockbuster third album, Harry's House — unveiled a full-fledged music video for "Daylight."

In the clip, Styles strolls around a traveling carnival — a complex of cherry-red structures — and interacts with its quirky denizens. Midway through, he even takes flight on black and yellow wings, and eventually finds himself astride a horse. At video’s end, Styles walks a tightrope against an azure sky.

Read More: 5 Takeaways From Harry Styles' New Album Harry's House

This is the fifth video from Harry's House, following "As It Was," "Late Night Talking," "Music For a Sushi Restaurant," and "Satellite."

The “Daylight” video arrives just three days before Styles’ final show of his long-running Love On Tour. He’ll close out the nearly two-year trek — which included 15 sold-out nights at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden — in Reggio Emilia, Italy on July 22.

Along with touring, Styles has co-starred in the psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling and romantic drama My Policeman since the release of Harry's House. He also expanded on his fashion ventures, co-releasing a Gucci collection with fashion designer Alessandro Michele in Nov. 2022.

Check out the new video for "Daylight" below and keep checking GRAMMY.com for Harry Styles news!

Harry Styles' Sonic Evolution: How He Grew From Teen Pop Idol To Ever-Evolving Superstar

Editor's Note: This article was updated on May 17, 2024 with information about Zayn Malik's album ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS and other releases/significant moments since the original publish date.

Looking at everything One Direction achieved in their time together, it's hard to believe that they were only active for six years. What's even harder to fathom is that they've now been on hiatus for nearly a decade — but luckily for fans, that time has proven fruitful for Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson. 

Each member has released at least one studio album as a solo artist, and they have all dipped into several other ventures within fashion, producing and mentoring rising stars. Malik is the latest to deliver more solo music, unveiling his fourth album, Room Under the Stairs, on May 17.

Through all of those efforts, the quintet has kept One Direction's legacy not only alive, but thriving. While together, they were a pop phenomenon who sold an approximate 70 million records, but their solo careers have allowed them to showcase their true personalities. With that, monumental achievements came in tow — GRAMMY Awards, sold-out tours, and even more chart-topping hits — as well as the certainty that One Direction will never fully diminish (see Styles' roaring rendition of "What Makes You Beautiful" or Horan's sweet performance of "Story of My Life").

From Styles' eponymous debut LP to Malik's latest set, GRAMMY.com breaks down all of One Direction's solo endeavors to date.

Zayn Malik

Soon after his sudden departure from the group in 2015, Zayn Malik signed with RCA Records. His debut album, Mind of Mine, came out on March 25, 2016 — exactly one year after he left the band.

Mind of Mine saw Malik in a new musical direction, leaning into his R&B roots and soulful voice while also taking a more risqué approach in his songwriting. Despite the stark difference, the album topped several charts upon debut, including the U.S. and the U.K., even helping Malik become the first British male singer to top the Billboard 200 with his first album. (Lead single "Pillowtalk" also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the first time a U.K. artist topped the chart with their first single.)

Malik quickly proved to be a sought-after collaborator, with Chris Brown, Snakehips and M.I.A. all recruiting him for singles in 2016. At the end of that year, he issued his biggest collab to date, "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" with Taylor Swift for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack. The song scored Malik his second massive hit on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 2.

As fans eagerly awaited his second album, Malik delivered two more major collabs, "Still Got Time" featuring PartyNextDoor and "Dusk Till Dawn" with Sia. After facing several delays, Icarus Falls arrived in December 2018. Comprising 27 songs across two disks, the album was inspired by the Greek myth, and expands Malik's usual R&B to loftier, edgier pop moments, like singles "Let Me Be" and "No Candle No Light" with Nicki Minaj.

Malik released his third studio album, the vulnerable Nobody Is Listening, in 2021. Described as his "most personal project to date" in a statement, the record is a stripped-down, quiet statement on Malik's growing talents. Later that year, he shared a since-deleted Dropbox link to Yellow Tape — a collection of three controversial hip-hop songs that showed another side of his musicality.

Though he has been fairly quiet in the past three years, Malik made waves in both 2022 and 2023 for very different reasons. In 2022, he paid tribute to his time in 1D with an instantly viral clip of him singing his fan-favorite note from "You & I"; last year, he hopped on a posthumous remix of Jimi Hendrix's "Angel." 

In March 2024, Malik finally announced his much-anticipated fourth LP, ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS, which dropped May 17. Co-produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Bruce Springsteen), the record sees Malik taking yet another musical turn and diving into country-leaning, bluesier sounds, as can be seen in singles "What I Am" and "Alienated." Malik explained in a teaser video that his intention for the 15-track album is for the listener to "get more insight on me personally as a human being."

Niall Horan

Niall Horan signed with Capitol Records and released his first solo single, "This Town," in September 2016. Followed by "Slow Hands," and "Too Much to Ask," Horan released his debut LP, Flicker, in October 2017 — just as "Slow Hands" hit No. 1 on Billboard's Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay charts. A mix of soft rock and straightforward pop, the album helped Horan become the third 1D member in a row to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart (after Malik and Styles, more on the latter later).

In support of the release, Horan embarked on two world tours: Flicker Sessions, which started in August 2017 and was held in smaller, intimate venues, and 2018's Flicker World Tour, which featured 82 shows across North and Latin America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

Horan's second studio album, Heartbreak Weather, led by single "Nice to Meet Ya," came out in March 2020 and topped the charts in the U.K. and Ireland, while reaching No. 4 in the U.S. However, the COVID-19 pandemic stalled his ambitious touring plans, and he decided to use his downtime for collaboration. 

He teamed up with Anne-Marie for two singles, "Our Song" and a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere," and hopped on a version of Ashe's "Moral of the Story," But perhaps his most beloved collab is with his best friend Lewis Capaldi — a bromance that started with Horan's admiration for the singer and developed into live performances together, plenty of interactions on social media, and a Guinness-sponsored TV special, Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar, out in 2022.

Horan's third studio album, The Show, came out on June 9, 2023, just after he wrapped up his first (and winning) season as a coach on NBC's "The Voice." A fruitful experimentation of folk melodies and modern synths, The Show displays how much his songwriting has matured since Heartbreak Weather, and the result resonated with fans and critics alike; The Show debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's 200 chart.

In the following months, Horan performed at a slew of festivals across Europe and Asia — and won his second season of "The Voice" — as he prepared for the biggest tour in his solo career so far. The Show: Live on Tour kicked off in his native Ireland in February 2024, and hit cities across the U.K., Europe, Asia and Oceania. The tour will keep Horan busy through October 9, making stops in North and South America as well as a brief return to Dublin and the U.K.

Louis Tomlinson

Louis Tomlinson was the biggest contributor to One Direction's songwriting, with credits on nearly 40 songs in their discography. His passion for music production extended to an auxiliary participation on 2015's "The X Factor," which in 2018 turned into a fixed position as a judge and winning mentor on the fifteenth series of the show.

As for Tomlinson's own solo music, he made his debut with the Steve Aoki-assisted single "Just Hold On" in December of 2016. Before releasing his debut LP, Walls, in January of 2020, the singer focused on collaborations and singles. Through a pop-punk verve, Tomlinson began to establish his own post-1D style with singles like 2017's "Just Like You" and the minimalistic "Back To You" with Bebe Rexha — his biggest hit to date, with more than 1 billion combined streams on Spotify and YouTube. Some other singles, like the touching tribute to his late mother, "Two of Us," and the rock-edged "Kill My Mind," were included on Walls.

In 2021, he created and curated The Away From Home Festival, a one-day fest first held in London that year, followed by a 2022 edition in Malaga and a 2023 edition in Italy. In 2024, the event will return for its fourth run in June at Mérida, Mexico. Among the lineup are rising names like Kevin Kaarl, DMA's, and Dylan, in addition to Tomlinson's own set.

Faith in The Future, Tomlinson's second album, was released at the end of 2022 and reached No. 1 in the U.K., marking his first top-charting album in the country as a soloist. Supported by singles "Bigger Than Me," "Out of My System," and "Silver Tongues," it furthered Tomlinson's explorations into indie rock and Britpop. In March 2023, he also released All Of Those Voices, a soul-baring documentary where he talked about his fears upon One Direction's hiatus, grief, fatherhood, and the struggles of fame. 

Tomlinson has been making stops around the globe on his Faith in the Future World Tour, which started off in North America in May 2023 and hit Europe, and the U.K. last year. He picked things up again in January 2024, first stopping through Indonesia and Australia; Tomlinson's last leg sees him performing in South America and Mexico, starting in Panama May 2 and concluding in Guadalajara, Mexico on  June 6.

Just before his final tour stretch, Tomlinson surprise-released a live album, simply titled Live, in April 2024, featuring 15 songs from 15 different shows over the past three years. Each track was recorded in a distinct city, including "The Greatest" in London, "Fearless" in Rio de Janeiro, and "Chicago" in Chicago.

Harry Styles

After signing with Columbia Records in 2016, Harry Styles made his solo debut in April 2017 with the power ballad "Sign of the Times." Just one month later, his eponymous debut album came to life. A commercial and critical success, it topped charts in several countries upon release, including the U.S. and the U.K album tallies.

From the get-go, Styles' solo appeal was apparent. After immediately selling out his first run of solo shows that fall, he plotted a world tour playing arenas in 2018 — all of which sold out. That success translated to the release of his second album, 2019's Fine Line. The album's first-week sales were the biggest for a British male soloist since 1991, when Nielsen began tracking sales electronically.

While singles "Adore You" and "Falling" had solid traction, it was "Watermelon Sugar" that solidified his place as a solo superstar. Not only did the track earn Styles his first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100, but it also won the singer his first GRAMMY in 2021, for Best Pop Solo Performance.

Then came the lauded Harry's House, the album that cemented Styles as a vanguard artist and performer. Lead single "As It Was" foreshadowed the gargantuan success that was to come, topping the Hot 100 for 15 weeks — the longest-running U.S. No. 1 by a U.K. artist. Harry's House debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and was one of the best-selling albums of 2022 with more than 2 million equivalent album units. The album also went on to win Best Pop Vocal Album and the coveted Album Of The Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

Styles' sold-out Love On Tour, which lasted from September 2021 to July 2023, has also set unprecedented records. Through 169 shows across North and South America, the U.K., Europe, Asia, and Oceania, Love On Tour concluded as one of the best-selling tours of all time, grossing $617.3 million and selling more than 5 million tickets, according to Billboard's Boxscore. These numbers also outdo One Direction's entire career gross of $583.4 million over four tours from 2012 to 2015, leading Styles to a new level of superstardom.

Along with his impressive music career, Styles has made an impact through his daring fashion sense in recent years. He's modeled for brands like Gucci, and became the first man to appear solo on the cover of Vogue in 2019. The singer has also ventured into acting, appearing in movies like 2017's Dunkirk and 2022's Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman.

Back in March, Styles teased new music during his New Zealand concert. "We're almost at the end of the fruit bowl," he said, nodding to the many fruit references in his discography ("Watermelon Sugar," "Kiwi," "Grapejuice"). "Come album four, who knows? No citrus is safe."

Liam Payne

Like Tomlinson, Liam Payne co-wrote over 30 songs for One Direction; he also started to venture into his own musicality with a few remixes of 1D tracks in 2014 and 2015, under the aliases "Payno" and "Big Payno." He signed with Republic Records in October 2016, unveiling his debut solo single, "Strip That Down" (featuring Migos' Quavo) in May 2017. With lyrics that reinforced his new journey ("You know I used to be in 1D"), the track peaked at No. 10 on the Hot 100 and spent two weeks atop Billboard's Pop Airplay chart.

Payne's solo career has arguably been the most diverse of any One Direction member, as he's explored pop, hip-hop, Latin, and electronic music. Along with collaborating with the likes of Rita Ora ("For You", off of Fifty Shades Freed's soundtrack), A Boogie wit da Hoodie ("Stack It Up"), and J Balvin ("Familiar"), he proved to be dexterous on his own as well, bending his voice from high falsettos ("Bedroom Floor") to charming croons ("Home With You").

After a 2018 EP, First Time, Payne dropped his debut studio album, the long-awaited LP1, in December 2019. Including all of his previous singles, the record frames Payne as a jack of all trades, able to move from trap and hip hop ("Weekend") to Timberlake-inspired pop ("Strip That Down") and even to a Christmas song ("All I Want (For Christmas)").

While he has been less active musically in recent years, Payne delivered another dance collab in 2020 ("Midnight" with Alesso), a couple of Christmas tracks (including the Dixie D'Amelio team-up "Naughty List,"), and a song for the 2021 animated movie Ron's Gone Wrong,  "Sunshine." Outside of music, Payne was also named the first global ambassador for fashion brand Hugo Boss, and designed two of their capsule collections.

After mentions of working on a new album last year, Payne shared the single "Teardrops" in March 2024. Co-written with One Direction collaborator Jamie Scott and JC Chasez of *NSYNC, the track leans into early '00s pop and tackles the pain of a heartbreak. The release comes after a turbulent phase for the singer, who opened up on YouTube about his rehab stretch and controversial comments on his former bandmates. In a statement, Payne said that "Teardrops" "marks the start of a new beginning," and that "there's lots more to come in 2024."

Whether or not a One Direction reunion ever happens, the quintet's individual forays continue to bloom, and exciting opportunities lie ahead for each of the members. Through their diverse repertoire and newfound artistries, one thing is certain: the 1D members might follow multiple directions now, but they aren't stopping anytime soon. 

Harry Styles' Sonic Evolution: How He Grew From Teen Pop Idol To Ever-Evolving Superstar

The 2023 GRAMMYs may have come and gone — but you can now take home a one-of-a-kind piece of Music's Biggest Night for a good case!

This GRAMMY Museum's new online auction via Charitybuzz features items signed by artists, including guitars signed backstage at the 2023 GRAMMYs by Bad Bunny, Sheryl Crow, Dr. Dre, Mick Fleetwood, Lizzo, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, and Harry Styles.

Plus, the auction contains more guitars and items signed by 21 Savage, Joe Bonamassa, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, Miley Cyrus, Luis Fonsi, Jonas Brothers, Steve Lacy, LL Cool J, Shawn Mendes, Miguel, Kacey Musgraves, Kim Petras, Lionel Richie, Nile Rodgers, Slash, Sam Smith, Chris Stapleton, Susan Tedeschi, and Meghan Trainor.

The GRAMMY Museum's online auction via Charitybuzz is live now and will run through Thursday, April 13.

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