Harry Styles Is Ready To Ditch Simon Cowell’s Record Company Syco: One Direction Reunion Postponed Indefinitely

Harry Styles is yearning for more freedom and self-expression in his music. He wants to quest for that elusive new style, every serious musician of the twenty-first century is searching for. There needs to be something unique created in the music world, and Harry wants to find it.

Simon Cowell’s Syco Records has not offered that kind of freedom of exploration to One Direction in the past. Money and various other perks could also be a consideration.

One Direction’s contract with Syco expires this year, according to this Capital FM article from 2013 when the contract was signed. Styles is currently in the midst of a bidding war between Sony, who also owns half of Syco and Universal’s Capitol Records, according to the Sun. It seems likely that Harry Styles will sign with Capitol, but he has not made any final decisions just yet.

Zayn Malik has expressed his feelings to Billboard about recording albums for Syco in no uncertain terms. He explained his reasons for leaving One Direction quite bluntly. Zayn felt stuck in a situation in which he did not like his own music.

“There was never any room for me to experiment creatively in the band. If I would sing a hook or a verse slightly R&B, or slightly myself, it would always be recorded 50 times until there was a straight version that was pop, generic as f***, so they could use that version. Whenever I would suggest something, it was like it didn’t fit us. There was just a general conception that the management already had of what they want for the band, and I just wasn’t convinced with what we were selling. I wasn’t 100 percent behind the music. It wasn’t me. It was music that was already given to us, and we were told this is what is going to sell to these people. As much as we were the biggest, most famous boy band in the world, it felt weird. We were told to be happy about something that we weren’t happy about.”

Harry Styles would never say something like this publicly. It is not in his nature to complain or to insult, or even take up for himself, but he does know how to leave, and he is doing so in a very professional manner. It is likely Styles feels creatively limited by Syco, even though he may like Simon Cowell and the other people involved.

One Direction is a boy band, but boys grow up. In order for One Direction to stay current and survive the transition into adults, their music must mature with them. Harry knows this, and he is looking for longevity in his career, so he is exploring his potential as an actor, and also working hard to become a better musician, capable of more than one genre.

Harry Styles is a very sensible young man, trying to make good career decisions. He is also trying to multi-task. He is currently making a movie, titled Dunkirk, about World War II. He is also trying to negotiate an advantageous record contract. This will give him time to consider his music carefully even while in the middle of making the movie.

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— Taylor Trudon (@taylortrudon) May 17, 2016

One Direction is rumored to be over, and there are rumors that Harry Styles is eager to put some distance between himself and the rest of the band. The Sun has reported that an anonymous source close to Harry Styles said Harry wanted to separate himself from 1D.

“It was obvious from day one that Harry wouldn’t stay with Simon Cowell, Syco or a Sony label. He wants to move as far away from the band as possible and for him, that means an entirely new team based in America. It’s all part of a masterplan being driven by his friend Jeff Azoff, who has set up his own management company to launch Harry as a solo superstar.”

Harry Styles message about One Direction could be very easily taken in the wrong context as well. It seems likely that Harry was speaking of the music as he often does. Musically, he definitely does want to distance himself from the musical style of One Direction for his solo work. That is the whole point of doing the solo album. The situation need not be a personal issue, and probably isn’t. Jeff Azoff is his manager, not his buddy. He isn’t talking about physical distance between people. Harry’s decision is probably based on what is best for his career over time, not some petty quarrels.

Harry Styles is focused on his career and he could still reunite with One Direction once he finishes his solo album and movie.

[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]