Whimsy All the Time. Disco, Occasionally: Harry Styles’ Instagram Trend
- Bennett Creative
- Feb 10
- 8 min read
From Harry Styles' new song "Aperture" to Whimscial Social Media Trends—Bennett Creative is here for the 2026 Viral Scene.
A new sound has officially claimed the social media trend throne in 2026. If you’ve spent more than five minutes scrolling through your feed this week, you’ve likely encountered the hazy, hypnotic pulse of Harry Styles’ latest chart-topper, "Aperture." But it’s not just the music that’s taking over; it’s the lifestyle attached to it.
The "Disco Occasionally" trend is the latest viral phenomenon to sweep across TikTok and Instagram Reels, blending high-concept aesthetics with the relatable, everyday rituals of modern life.
At Bennett Creative, we live at the intersection of high-end video production and social media strategy. We know that a trend isn't just a video; it's a "vibe" that brands and creators can leverage to build authentic connections. Grab your your morning coffee, sprinkles optional—we’re looking at the combined influence of Harry Styles' new album "Kiss all the time. Disco Occasionally." and the rise of the whimsical on social media.
What is the "Disco Occasionally" Social Media trend?
The trend is a visual manifesto for a balanced life. It utilizes Harry Styles’ new song "Aperture," mashed with the album title: "Kiss all the time, disco occasionally." To make it the creators own, instead of kiss - insert a hobby, action or vibe.
It’s the ultimate "day-in-the-life" upgrade, celebrating the grind of our passions while acknowledging that we all need a little late-night dance party to stay sane.
Instead of the polished It Girl aesthetic of previous years, this trend embraces the specific, sometimes messy obsessions that make us who we are—before pivoting into a preferably dreamy celebration.
Why is Whimsy Trending?
If 2024 was about Quiet Luxury and 2025 was about Brat Summer, 2026 is officially the year of Whimsy.
Whimsy on social media isn't just about being cute; it's a radical act of being unserious in a serious world.
It’s the whimsical portion of the trend that is resonating most. We’re seeing a massive rise in “Kidulting,” where adults embrace toys and playful silhouettes, alongside the "Romanticizing the Mundane" movement that makes a simple grocery run look like a Wes Anderson film.
The Bennett Creative social media team has noticed that whimsical content often sees higher engagement because it offers a brief, joyful escape from the doomscroll. Mash up whimsy with Disco Occasionally or Harry Styles’ song Aperture and you have a winner.
When is Harry Styles’ new album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. come out?
This is most asked question in regards to Harry Styles' new album. He's been keeping us waiting, but the wait is nearly over!
Mark your calendars: March 6, 2026.
After a three-year hiatus following the massive success of Harry’s House, Styles officially announced his fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, in mid-January.
The album is executive produced by long-time collaborator Kid Harpoon and is rumored to be a "love letter to mid-2000s electronica and the intimate moments of domestic life."
Styles has described the title as a life mantra, suggesting that while intimacy and daily connection should be constant, the full-of-life disco moments are precious because they are rare.
What is the meaning behind the song "Aperture"?
In photography, an aperture is the opening in a lens that controls how much light reaches the sensor. Styles uses this as a brilliant metaphor for emotional vulnerability. We’re over here applauding that creativity, crying, just a little bit.
The song's lyrics explore the idea of "letting the light in" and choosing how much of yourself to reveal to the world.
Musically, it’s a five-minute, slow-burning masterpiece that feels more like an atmospheric experience than a traditional pop song.
For creators, this "aperture" concept provides a perfect excuse to play with lighting effects—moving from soft, moody shadows to bright, saturated colors in their Instagram Reel.
How do I Create a "Disco Occasionally" Reel for my brand?
To nail this Instagram trend, you need to perfect the pacing. It’s all about the contrast between the rhythmic, steady buildup and the sudden, explosive payoff.
The Hook (0:00-0:03): Start with text that defines your obsession. "Editing all the time..." or "Litigation all the time..."
The Montage (0:03-0:07): Fast, rhythmic cuts. If you’re a brand, show the "boring" stuff—but make it look like art. Close-ups of laptops, coffee steaming, pens on paper.
The Pivot (0:08): This is where most people fail. You need a clean, cinematic transition. A motion blur or a direct-to-lens "zoom" that hits exactly on the beat change.
The Disco (0:08-End): This is your high-energy payoff. Sequins, neon, movement. You might feel a little ridiculous filming it, but it will pay off.
Where to Find Whimsy Stock Photos for Social Media Posts
Look, if you’re still typing “happy person with laptop” into a stock search bar, we need to have a serious talk.
Standard stock is the death of whimsy. To nail the #DiscoOccasionally aesthetic, you need imagery that feels like a dream sequence, not a corporate brochure.
At Bennett Creative, we’re picky about our assets. If we aren't shooting it custom in the studio, here is where we go to find the weird, wonderful, and aesthetically pleasing photos that actually stop the scroll.
If the name didn't give it away, these guys hate boring photos. They operate on a subscription model that delivers themed packs. Their Whimsical and Retro-Futurism collections are the gold standard for the Harry Styles aesthetic. You’ll find grainy, film-inspired shots that look like they were taken at a 1974 house party.
Stocksy is where the "Aperture" vibes live. It’s an artist-owned cooperative, meaning the photographers actually care about the craft. If you want high-concept, moody lighting, and that specific "intentional blur" that defines the current Instagram trends, this is the spot. Search for: "Surrealism," "Lush textures," or "Cinematic haze."
Yes, they’re free, but most people use them wrong. To find whimsy here, you have to stop searching for objects and start searching for feelings.
Don't search "Disco Ball." Search "Light Refraction," "Golden Hour Sparkle," or "Dusk Aesthetic." This surfaces the atmospheric shots that work perfectly as background layers for your "All the Time" montages.
4. Adobe Stock
Adobe’s AI search filters are actually useful. You can now filter by Depth of Field or Vividness. To match the Harry Styles "Aperture" look, crank the Depth of Field filter to its maximum setting. This will give you those soft, out-of-focus backgrounds that make your text overlays pop.
5.Custom AI Generation
If you can't find it, build it. We’re seeing a massive shift toward brands using Midjourney or DALL-E 3 to create hyper-specific whimsical backgrounds.
The Hook: Need a dog in a tuxedo sitting under a disco ball? You aren't finding that on Getty. Generate it. It’s the ultimate way to ensure your whimsical content is 100% unique to your brand.
What to Look For: The Whimsical Checklist
Before you hit download, ask yourself if the photo has these three things:
Unexpected Proportions: (e.g., a tiny person on a giant flower).
Cinematic Lighting: (e.g., heavy shadows, neon glows, or "light leaks").
A Sense of Play: (e.g., it shouldn't look like a staged "work" photo).
Stock imagery should never feel like a compromise. Use it as a layer to build your world, not a replacement for your personality.
What are the best "Disco Occasionally" hobby ideas for creators?
The beauty of this trend is its versatility. We’re seeing creators across every industry take the "All the Time" hook and make it their own. At Bennett Creative, we believe most brands can find a way into a trend.
Here’s how the scene is breaking down across different niches:
The "Corporate Version" (Spreadsheets All the Time): This is for the data nerds and the office grinders. We’re seeing montages of pivot tables, frantic Slack notifications, and lukewarm office coffee. The transition? A sudden drop into a neon-lit happy hour or a solo dance party in the breakroom. It’s the ultimate "humanizing the brand" play.
The "Parent Version" (Bluey All the Time): Relatability is the currency here. The "All the Time" is a chaotic loop of Bluey episodes, scattered LEGOs, and the general madness of raising tiny humans. The "Disco" transition is usually a parent finally getting five minutes of peace—often involving a glass of wine and a disco ball in the pantry.
The "Austin Creative Version" (Editing All the Time): This is the one hitting home for us. It’s the late-night sessions at the desk, the blue light from the monitors, and the endless scrubbing through timelines. In our world, the "Disco" isn't just a party; it’s that moment of creative breakthrough when the edit finally clicks and you celebrate with a solo dance in the studio.
The "Fitness Version" (Pilates All the Time): A favorite for the wellness community. It starts with the grueling, slow-burn discipline of a workout—the sweat, the shakes, the "inner peace" struggle. Then, the beat drops, and it’s a high-fashion reveal showing off the results in a club-ready fit.
What is the track list for Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally?
The 12-track album is a diverse journey through "sleepy dance pop." Confirmed tracks include "American Girls," "Ready, Steady, Go!", "The Waiting Game," and "Paint By Numbers."
Each title suggests a blend of domestic, quiet moments and club-ready anthems. Styles has mentioned that he wants this music to be played loud, designed for rooms full of strangers dancing together.
Why is "Aperture" the perfect song for video production?
From a technical perspective, Harry Styles essentially handed editors a golden ticket with "Aperture." It’s rare to find a track that balances cinematic atmosphere with such a surgical, rhythmic backbone.
Here is why the Bennett Creative editors consider it a masterclass in sound design for social:
The Narrative Runway: Most viral sounds give you three seconds to make a point. "Aperture" gives you a slow-burn build that actually respects the craft of storytelling. You have enough space in the first half to establish a real mood before the transition hits, making the eventual payoff feel earned rather than forced.
The "Skittering" Percussion: The minimalist electronica isn't just background noise; it’s a grid. Those clean, skittering beats are an editor's dream for "on-the-beat" cutting. When you’re snapping your footage to those micro-beats, the final product feels incredibly tight—turning a standard Reel into something that feels intentional and high-budget.
The "Vocal Distance" Effect: Harry’s vocals on this track are airy and atmospheric, creating a sense of scale. This is the "secret sauce" for creators; the audio is so cinematic that it naturally elevates raw iPhone footage. It masks the "handheld" feel and wraps your content in a professional, music-video-grade polish.
Is the "Disco Occasionally" trend better for TikTok or Instagram?
Born on TikTok, perfected on Instagram.
At this moment in time, Instagram Reels is the home for high-aesthetic, cinematic trends like "Aperture." The algorithm loves the visual fidelity.
TikTok, on the other hand, is for the raw, chaotic, and humorous takes. If you want to look like a pro, post on IG. If you want to start a conversation, post on TikTok.
How can Bennett Creative help my brand go viral with these trends?
Navigating social media can feel like a full-time job. That’s where we come in. Bennett Creative is an Austin-based video production and social media agency that specializes in content that gets you noticed and build a following.
We don't just follow trends; we help you adapt them to your brand’s unique voice, ensuring your story stands out beautifully—occasionally and all the time.
The shift toward whimsical isn't just a fleeting aesthetic; it’s a demand signal. Data shows that consumers are moving away from the perfectly polished look of the early 2020s and toward a more playful, imaginative reality.
Lately, the world can feel a bit heavy and whimsy is a tool for grounding. It’s about finding the magic in a bowl of cereal or the art in a messy desk. When you create content for this trend, you’re telling your audience that you value the joy in the journey, not just the destination.
The Bennett Creative Approach to Viral Trends
At the end of the day, a trend like "Disco Occasionally" is a tool to get your brand in front of new eyes using a familiar language. But the most successful creators add their own flavor—their own unique perspective.
Don’t just copy the trend; subvert it. The light is letting in, the beat is dropping, and the disco ball is spinning. The only question is: what are you doing "all the time"?
Ready to bring some whimsy to your brand's video strategy? Contact Bennett Creative today. We’ll help you navigate the world of TikTok and Instagram to make your brand the star of the scene.
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