Albums: Harry Styles - "HS4" vs. Beyoncé - "Act III"

Quick Verdict

Both Harry Styles' "HS4" and Beyoncé's "Act III" are shrouded in speculation, with fans eagerly awaiting official announcements. Both albums are expected to be experimental and explore personal themes, though the specific genres and collaborators remain largely unconfirmed. The success and impact of both albums will depend on their actual release and reception.

Both albums are highly anticipated with speculated release dates in the near future.
Both albums are rumored to be experimental and genre-bending, potentially exploring new sonic territories for each artist.
Both albums' themes are expected to be deeply personal and reflective, touching on topics like fame, identity, and personal growth.
Guest artist lists are speculative but include a range of prominent musicians, suggesting potential collaborations across genres.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Harry Styles - "HS4"	Beyoncé - "Act III"
Release Date	Spring 2026 (speculated)	Unconfirmed, fan theories suggest May 29, 2026, November 2026, or August 29, 2025
Genre	Rock, pop, experimental (speculated - blending electronic music with Indian pop, funk, psychedelic rock, or a return to HS1 pop-rock roots)	Theories include rock, jazz, gospel, R&B, or a blend of rock and funk
Number of Tracks	Unknown	Not specified
Singles Released	None confirmed yet	Predicted to be three singles
Album Length	Unknown	Not specified
Guest Artists	Fred Again.., HAIM, Olivia Dean, Florence Welch, and André 3000 (spotted with, not confirmed)	Possibilities include Jack White, Demi Lovato, Slash, H.E.R., Miley Cyrus, Stevie Nicks, Lenny Kravitz, Gary Clark Jr., Chuck Berry, Betty Davis, and Jay-Z
Producers	Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson (speculated), Kit Harpoon	Not specified
Songwriting Credits	Unknown	Not specified
Critical Reception	N/A	To be determined upon release
Commercial Performance	N/A	To be determined upon release
Themes and Lyrical Content	Love, fame, personal growth, balancing personal life with fame, more emotional and introspective (speculated)	Theories include universal black love, futurism, reclaiming power, self-love, and Black identity. Exploration of Blackness as an art form through past, present, and future
Target Audience	Dedicated fans (potentially more experimental and niche)	Not specified
Price	Not available	Not available
Ratings	Not available	To be determined upon release

Overall Comparison

Release Date: Both albums are speculated for release in the near future (2025-2026). Critical Reception: N/A for Harry Styles, To be determined for Beyoncé. Commercial Performance: N/A for Harry Styles, To be determined for Beyoncé.

Pros and Cons

Harry Styles - "HS4"

Pros:

Potentially experimental sound blending genres.
Possible return to rock influences from HS1.
May explore themes of personal growth and fame.
Potential for more emotional and introspective content.

Cons:

Release date not officially confirmed.
Genre is speculative.
Number of tracks and album length are unknown.
Guest artists are not officially confirmed.
Target audience may be more niche, potentially alienating some mainstream fans.

Beyoncé - "Act III"

Pros:

Expected to be innovative and experimental
Expected to offer a unique take on its chosen genre
Expected to explore Black roots and history within the genre
Expected to be a departure from Beyoncé's previous work, continuing her trend of genre reinvention
Expected to be the final act in a three-part series, with a possible narrative arc depicting Black influence across genres
Expected to explore themes of reinvention, cycles, lineage, and the interweaving of personal and collective histories

Cons:

Critical and commercial reception to be determined upon release
Standout tracks cannot be determined before release
Vocal performances to be determined upon release
Album production effectiveness to be determined upon release
Memorability of melodies and hooks to be determined upon release
Emotional impact to be determined upon release
Lasting appeal to be determined upon release

User Experiences and Feedback

Harry Styles - "HS4"

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

HS4 could be a departure, potentially more experimental or a return to rock influences from his first album.
Some believe it will be different from anything he has done.
It is possible the album may have a fresh, experimental sound, possibly blending genres like electronic music with Indian pop, or delving into psychedelic rock.
It is possible, with potential themes including reflections on growth, fame, and personal experiences.

Beyoncé - "Act III"

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.