Serious actor/solo singer Harry Styles released his first single, political ballad "Sign of the Times," last week. He's the second-to-last One Direction member to do so (Liam Payne is the only former 1D-er who's yet to do the solo thing).
Today, Sony Music announced Styles' full album is coming May 12 and will be available for pre-order this Friday. It's self-titled, naturally.
The album art appears to be literally steamy:
And the 10-song track list is also full of gems:
1. Meet Me in the Hallway
2. Sign of the Times
3. Carolina
4. Two Ghosts
5. Sweet Creature
6. Only Angel
7. Kiwi
8. Ever Since New York
9. Woman
10. From the Dining Table
It's hard to pull much detail from just a song title. But given ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift devoted almost an entire album to Harry Styles, one of these is probably/maybe about her.
So, since there's a month-long wait anyway, a fun, semi-educated guess on top Swift-song contenders:
1. "Ever Since New York": Swift is a very vocal welcome ambassador to the city. Plus, judging by the lyrics of One Direction's Swift-inspired track "Perfect," she and Styles spent part of their relationship "causing trouble up in hotel rooms," including one in New York City that they were photographed leaving moments apart when dating rumors first started in 2012. They were also photographed in Central Park and Times Square.
2. "Woman": Swift is a woman, obvi. But so is his other famous ex Kendall Jenner. And his mother. And a John Lennon song he could be paying tribute to.
3. "Only Angel": One Direction did release a song called "Hey Angel" on their last album. And while the lyrics could really apply to any good girl, Styles could be continuing the theme here, maybe.
4. "Two Ghosts": Perhaps this will be a track about the ghosts of their relationship past—ghosts who haunt him whenever 1989 plays. Or this song could also be about him and the One Direction member who ditched, Zayn Malik. Or a historic figure. So many options!
5. "Sweet Creature": Well, if Styles thinks very fondly of Swift (which, probably not...), it's not completely improbable. Then again, this could also be a good Kendall Jenner track contender, given they have been on-off and at least seem friendly. We shall see...
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
