Harry Styles' first solo 'Sign of the Times' is out!

Harry Styles finally dropped his new single 'Sign of the Times' on Friday and the comparisons with David Bowie seems the order of the day for the One Direction singer.

Styles had teased the song with a sneaky commercial during X Factor UK on March 31. He also unveiled the cover art and title of the song on the same day.

Then came the news that Styles will perform the new song for the first time on Saturday Night Live as Jimmy Fallon will be the host of the night.

Styles became part of Christopher Nolan's World War II drama Dunkirk as the boy band went on a hiatus to pursue their solo careers. But he also kept working on his music on the side.

The 'Sign of the Times' starts slowly with lyrics that feel sad and hint at a deeper meaning.

Just stop your crying
It’s a sign of the times
Welcome to the final show
Hope you’re wearing your best clothes
You can't bribe the door on your way to the sky
You look pretty good down here
But you ain't really good

But the song picks up at the bridge reminding many music critics of what Bowie did with his songs. It may be too soon to compare since the entire album is not out yet. But is does not sound like One Direction and that's an achievement in itself.

Styles has definitely arrived as a solo artist on the musical horizon. If the solo ventures of One Direction boys to be compared. Styles seems to be the only one giving a tough competition to Zayn Malik who has an album out and has already collaborated with pop music powerhouse Taylor Swift for the track 'I Don't Wanna Live Forever.'

Listen to the audio