Why the world chose the wrong NSYNC solo star

In this column, we deliver hot (and cold) takes on pop culture, judging whether a subject is overrated or underrated.

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The break-up of One Direction was the most devastating event of 2016 (edging out Brexit, Donald Trump’s election as US president, a historic global heatwave, and David Bowie’s death). Thankfully, Harry Styles has helped soften the blow of that ever-so-painful split, having since established what might be the greatest solo career of any post-boy-band pop star ever.

His fourth solo record, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, was a surprisingly ambitious album that defied expectations. He will officially be chiselled onto the Mount Rushmore of “boy band members successfully gone solo”, alongside Bobby Brown, Justin Timberlake and Robbie Williams, whenever the government finally responds to my grant applications.

Most do not reach such a rarefied status. It’s not easy to find stardom outside the harmonies, jumpsuits and two-step choreography – to avoid the sneers of musical literati who view a headset mic as a scarlet........

© The Sydney Morning Herald