Harry Styles Strips Down for 'As It Was' Music Video
The groovy single sets the stage for Harry’s House and addresses his relationship with Olivia Wilde.
Harry Styles has officially dropped the music video for his latest single “As It Was” from his highly anticipated upcoming album, Harry's House. The hypnotizing track sets a new tone for Styles' music and is the first of 13 songs that will debut on May 20.
“Come on Harry, we want to say goodnight to you!” young children exclaim before Styles emerges from behind fogged glass. Immediately, we’re thrust into the chaotic, exciting world that is Harry’s House.
Styles dons several red outfits, beginning in a sleek crimson suit before defying gravity and time, entering a bright room in a sequined disco suit. This vast space contains nothing but a spinning platform and a beautiful woman in blue–likely a reference to his girlfriend, actress Olivia Wilde.
Contrasting in their outfits, moods, and even their nail polish shades (from the singer’s new lifestyle brand Pleasing), the two can’t seem to hold onto each other for quite as long as he hopes.
Styles is next spotted above a pool, with scenery so beautiful you might not notice the haunting lyrics he sings, “Answer the phone, Harry, you're no good alone/What kinda pills are you on?” Styles juxtaposes vivid imagery with solemn songwriting, as we slowly find out “it's not the same as it was.”
Running on a treadmill, Styles can’t seem to escape the past: “I don't wanna talk about it, moving us forward.” His anxiety is exacerbated by “light-speed internet” and rumors from the outside world. “Leave for America, two kids, fall in love/I don't wanna talk about who's doin' it first,” Styles sings nervously, once again, a reference to his relationship with Wilde.
Wilde received criticism on social media when fans speculated that she left her partner of many years, and the father of her children, Jason Sudeikis, for Styles. The couple has been quite reserved publicly since.
“As It Was” brings a new groove to Styles’ discography, and comes a year after his last music video “Treat People With Kindness,” co-starring Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Styles has been promoting Harry’s House through his cryptic Instagram account “You Are Home,” where fans can find new details, like clues on new singles and album artwork.
Styles can also be seen in the upcoming film My Policeman, as well as Don't Worry Darling, directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Black Widow’s Florence Pugh.