It’s hard moving on from being in one of the biggest boy bands in the world, but Harry Styles did it with ease. This partly can be credited to his bold music video catalog, which helped him shape a singular artistic identity from the jump — and which has only gotten better and more idiosyncratic. After the jump, we traced the star’s videos that have pushed him to become a true auteur, from “Sign of the Times” to “As It Was.”
Harry Styles floated above the world — literally — in his dramatic, first-ever solo music video for “Sign Of The Times.” Critics called it indulgent and “pretty weird” upon release, but we think it still remains one of the most iconic entrances for a solo artist. (YouTube)
“No children or animals were harmed during the making of this film,” cheekily opens Harry Styles’ “Kiwi” video. What follows is a heavily dramatized cupcake fight starring a group of kids and Styles with a dog, for some reason. (YouTube)
Harry Styles rubs up against a mass of other bare bodies in this artsy and sensual meditation of fame and celebrity that broke the internet upon release. (YouTube)
Styles’ quirky storytelling side comes out in the “Adore You” video, involving a magical boy, magical fish, and a fictional island called Eroda. It’s one of his best and most imaginative visuals to date — even including narration from Rosalía. (YouTube)
“Falling” is another grand and emotional effort from Harry, this time involving the singer playing piano as the room swells up with water around him. Visually, it’s a stunner. (YouTube)
Styles knows he’s hot, and nowhere is that more evident than the “Watermelon Sugar” video, which finds him lounging on a beach alongside a group of gorgeous models suggestively eating watermelon. We get it, Harry! (YouTube)
Styles’ hot and sexy outdoor era continues with “Golden.” Featuring the singer running through a European town, swimming in lakes, and posing in a suit jacket at sunset, it’s peak summer vibes. (YouTube)
Even a seemingly simple Harry Styles performance video is still a big occasion. “Treat People With Kindness” builds around a glittery, elaborate retro stage set, and includes a dance duet with actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge. (YouTube)
Harry enters a contemplative and mature new era with the video with “As It Was,” filled with dance, visual illusions, and a lot of layered symbolism. His signature playfulness is still present, just a little more grown up. (YouTube)
See more music video evolutions from The Weeknd, Avril Lavigne, Janet Jackson, and Aaliyah.