Years & Years

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Years & Years
Alexander performing at the Sziget Festival in Hungary in 2016
Alexander performing at the Sziget Festival
in Hungary in 2016
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active2010–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteyearsandyears.com
MembersOlly Alexander
Past members
  • Mikey Goldsworthy
  • Emre Türkmen
  • Noel Leeman
  • Olivier Subria

Years & Years is the solo project[1] of British singer Olly Alexander. Originally formed as a band in 2010, Years & Years' music has been described as electropop, mixing R&B and 1990s house elements. The band's debut studio album, Communion, debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart in July 2015 and was the fastest-selling debut album of the year from a UK signed band.[2]

Their biggest hit single "King" from Communion reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in March 2015,[3] and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland.[2] Their single "Shine" from the same album reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.[4]

In April 2018, they announced the release of their second studio album Palo Santo which features singles "Sanctify" and "If You're Over Me", the latter of which reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom.[5] The album features a dystopian world consisting of robot-like beings named Androids and humans as the minority, and was released on 6 July 2018.

On 18 March 2021, the band announced a third Years & Years album would be released in 2021. The band also announced the same day that Goldsworthy and Türkmen had stepped down as active members, and that the act would continue as Alexander's solo project.[1][6][7]

History[]

2010–14: Formation and early years[]

The band was formed in 2010, after Goldsworthy moved to London from Australia and met Noel Leeman and then later, Türkmen online.[8] Alexander later joined the band as its lead vocalist, after Goldsworthy heard him singing in the shower.[9] The band was originally a five-piece group, with Noel Leeman and Olivier Subria.[10] Leeman and Subria left the band in 2013.[11] Years & Years' first single, called "I Wish I Knew" was released in July 2012 on the Good Bait label, with the band performing as a five-piece group.[12] In 2013, the group signed a deal to the French label Kitsuné as a three-piece and released their second single, called "Traps" in September 2013.[13] Their third single, called "Real" was released by Kitsuné in February 2014 and its music video featured an appearance by Alexander's Peter and Alice co-star, Ben Whishaw, and the former Misfits actor Nathan Stewart-Jarrett.[14] In 2014, the group signed a deal to Polydor Records and then released their fourth single, called "Take Shelter". The song reached number one on the iTunes UK Singles Electronic Chart.[15] In December 2014, the group released their fifth single, called "Desire", which peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.[16]

2015–16: Communion[]

Main article: Communion (Years & Years album)

In January 2015, the band won BBC's Sound of 2015 poll.[17] In the same month, the band's sixth single, "King", was previewed on BBC Radio 1 and selected as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record in the World.[18] "King" was released on 1 March 2015 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. Internationally, the single peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland. On 25 February 2015, Years & Years were nominated for the Critics Choice Award at the 2015's BRIT Awards.[19] On 18 March 2015, Years & Years announced their debut studio album, Communion on their Instagram profile. It was released on 10 July 2015, by Polydor Records, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart.[20][21] As well as it being the fastest-selling debut album in 2015 from a UK signed band, it was also the first number one on the inaugural New Music Fridays release date, marking a moment in history.

To celebrate the launch of the album, a world first interactive ad-break takeover happened on Channel 4, on the evening the album was released. Three exclusive music videos for the band's next single, "Shine", were filmed especially for the initiative, and fans were encouraged to 'take control' of the ad break by tweeting the hashtag for the video they most wanted to see; #ChooseLight, #ChooseShadow or #ChooseDark. The initiative garnered 1.55 million viewers and resulted in the most interacted-with ad in Channel 4 history. "Shine" was released as the band's seventh single, serving as a follow-up to their sixth single, "King". It was released on 5 July 2015, peaking at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. "Eyes Shut" was released as their eighth single that was to be taken from Communion. The music video for the single was released on 27 September 2015, and the video depicted the band exploring a post-apocalyptic world, set in the outskirts of Sofia, Bulgaria.

In January 2016, Years & Years were nominated for four BRIT Awards, including British Group, British Breakthrough Act, British Single (for "King") and British Artist Video (also for "King"). On 2 March 2016, the band announced that Tove Lo would feature on their next single; a new version of, "Desire". The music video was released on the next day, accompanied by an open letter from frontman Olly Alexander on the band's Facebook page. This detailed the concept of the video and highlighted the LGBT issues addressed by it (such as sexuality and gender dynamics), for which Alexander had become somewhat of a spokesperson. The band played their biggest headline show to date on 8 April 2016, at Wembley Arena, London, as part of their 2016 UK headline tour. The show was completely sold out, with support coming from MØ, Nimmo and Mabel. In July 2016, the band released the music video for their next single from Communion, "Worship". The music video was directed by Matt Lambert, with choreography from Ryan Heffington. On 11 September 2016, Years & Years performed the last show of their Communion tour at Lollapalooza in Berlin.[22]

Alexander performing "Palo Santo" at The O2 Arena during the Palo Santo Tour in 2018

2016–19: Palo Santo[]

Main article: Palo Santo (Years & Years album)

On 13 September 2016, the band released the song "Meteorite", which was included on the soundtrack for the film Bridget Jones's Baby. On 28 September 2016, the music video for the song was released.

Alexander later announced that he had been working on new music with Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter. The first single from the album, "Sanctify", was released on 7 March 2018.[citation needed] The song became the number 1 trending video on YouTube within the first 24 hours after its launch. A short interview was released after the music video with Alexander explaining his inspiration for the song came from experiences he had with men who claim to be heterosexual but have desires of other sexualities in which they struggle to embrace.

The second single of the album, called "If You're Over Me", was released on 10 May 2018 with its music video released on 14 May 2018. The single peaked at number 6 in the United Kingdom.

On 18 June 2018, the band announced the European dates to their Palo Santo Tour.

The album's title track, "Palo Santo", was released on 22 June 2018 and "All for You" was released on 27 June 2018, with the album subsequently being released on 6 July 2018. The album received acclaim from critics and reached number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. On 17 September 2018, the music video for "All for You" was released, featuring an angelic Alexander dancing within an abandoned warehouse before transforming into a demonic version of himself and engaging in a dance off with an android.

The band was featured on The Greatest Showman: Reimagined covering "Come Alive" alongside Jess Glynne which was released on 16 November 2018.[23]

In November 2018, "Play", a collaboration with DJ Jax Jones was released. It peaked at number 8 on the UK Official Chart. On 28 January the music video released, this was a supermarket belt which Alexander and Jones danced upon with previous signature Jones brands appearing as supermarket items.

On 14 February 2019, a collaboration with MNEK titled "Valentino" was released.

On 4 March 2019, the band announced that Emre would be taking a hiatus from the band whilst they were touring in Asia. His wife delivered a healthy baby girl called Daphne Türkmen. The group performed at the Glastonbury Festival where Alexander gave a speech that was universally praised by fans and media.[24][25]

2019–21: Other projects[]

On 11 September 2019, they released a single in collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys called "Dreamland", with Alexander appearing alongside the Pet Shop Boys to perform the song during their headlining slot at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park. Written in 2017, the track was originally scheduled to be released on the Palo Santo album in 2018 but was ultimately included on the Pet Shop Boys' 2020 album Hotspot.

In conjunction with Alexander starring in the 2021 drama series It's a Sin, Years & Years released a cover of the song of the same name, also by the Pet Shop Boys.[26]

2021–present: Departure of Goldsworthy and Türkmen and Night Call[]

On 18 March 2021, the band announced through an Instagram post that their upcoming album would essentially be a solo project by Olly Alexander,[7] to be released under the band name. Mikey will still play live with the band and Emre will focus on his work as a writer and producer.[27]

On 23 March 2021, "Starstruck" was announced to be the lead single from Years & Years' upcoming third studio album. The song was released on 8 April 2021 and is Years & Years' first release as a solo project.[28] A remix featuring Australian singer Kylie Minogue was released on 21 May 2021.[29][30]

On 23 September 2021, Years & Years announced the second single, "Crave". The song was released on 28 September 2021 alongside the announcement of his third studio album Night Call. The album will be released on 7 January 2022.

On 6 October 2021, "A Second to Midnight" is released, a song by Kylie Minogue and Years & Years, appearing on the reissue of Kylie' Disco album.

In November, Years & Years collaborated with Galantis on the single "Sweet Talker"[31] and were announced[32] as the act headlining the BBC One concert on 31 December 2021, following in the footsteps of pop stars like Madness and Craig David, who headlined in previous years.[33][34][35][36]

Influences[]

The band's influences include Radiohead, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Janet Jackson, Flying Lotus, Marilyn Manson,[37] the Beatles, Jai Paul, Timbaland, Joni Mitchell, Aaliyah, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Robyn, Scritti Politti, Sigur Rós[38] and Pet Shop Boys, with whom the group has collaborated with on the Years & Years version of Its a Sin and the 2019 PSB single Dreamland.[39]

Band members[]

Current members

  • Olly Alexander – vocals, keyboards, synthesisers, piano (2010–present)

Former members

  • Mikey Goldsworthy – synthesisers, keyboards, bass guitar (2010–2021)
  • Emre Türkmen – synthesisers, keyboards, beats, samples, sampling, sequencers, laptop, guitar (2010–2021)
  • Noel Leeman – synthesisers, keyboards (2010–2013)
  • Olivier Subria – drums (2010–2013)

Touring members

  • Dylan Bell – drums (2014–2018)[40]
  • Paris Jeffree – drums (2018–present)[41]
  • Phebe Edwards – backing vocals (2018–present)
  • Joell Fender – backing vocals (2018–present)
  • Mikey Goldsworthy – synthesisers, keyboards, bass guitar (2021–present)[42]

Discography[]

Main article: Years & Years discography

Tours[]

  • Years & Years UK Tour (2016)
  • Palo Santo Tour (2018–2019)
  • The Night Call Tour (2022)

Awards and nominations[]

Year Organisation Award Work Result Ref.
2014 Popjustice £20 Music Prize Best British Pop Single "Take Shelter" Nominated [43]
2015 BBC Music Awards British Artist of the Year Themselves [44]
BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards Best British Group [45]
Best British Single
Brit Awards Critics' Choice [46]
MTV Brand New Brand New For 2015
MTV Europe Music Awards Best UK & Ireland Act [47]
Best Push Act [47]
Q Awards Best New Act [48]
BBC Sound of 2015 Sound of 2015 Won [49]
Attitude Magazine Awards Album of the Year [50]
European Border Breakers Award European Border Breakers Award [51]
Sweden GAFFA Awards Best Foreign New Act [52]
O2 Artist's Recognition Award [53]
mtvU Artist to Watch [54]
Wing Music Awards [55]
UK Music Video Awards Best Artist Nominated [56]
Best Interactive Video "King"
Best Pop Video
MTV Video Music Awards Japan Best New Artist Video Won [57]
XITE Most Played Music Video [58]
2016 Brit Awards British Video of the Year Nominated [59]
British Single of the Year
British Breakthrough Act Themselves
British Group
Ciclope Festival Best Music Video "Worship" [60]
MTV Europe Music Awards Best UK & Ireland Act Themselves
2017 British LGBT Awards Best Music Act
2018 GQ Awards Best Live Act Won
BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards Best British Group Nominated
UK Music Video Awards Best Pop Video - UK "Sanctify" Nominated [61]
Best Styling "If You're Over Me" Won [62]
BBC Radio 1 Hottest Record of the Year "Sanctify" Third [63]
NME Songs Of The Year 2018 #40 [64]
2019 GAFFA-Prisen Awards Best International Band Themselves Nominated [65]
Brit Awards British Group [66]
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Music Artist [67]
Silver Clef Award Best Group Won [68]
2020 British LGBT Awards Celebrity Olly Alexander Won [69]
Music Artist Nominated [70]

References[]

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External links[]

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