Olly Alexander, the talented frontman of the British electropop group Years & Years, has shared how a rekindled relationship with a former boyfriend has influenced the sound and themes of his latest album, Polari. Released last Friday, the album explores love, identity, and emotional growth, with many of the tracks drawing inspiration from the singer’s personal experiences.
Alexander, who is known for his powerful performances and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community, graces the cover of Attitude magazine this month, where he opened up about the creative process behind Polari and how reconnecting with an ex-boyfriend sparked new perspectives in his songwriting. The album, which follows his previous work as a solo artist, has been described as introspective yet celebratory, with deeply personal lyrics and catchy, emotive melodies.
In a candid interview with Instinct, the 34-year-old singer revealed that his reunion with his former partner played a significant role in shaping the album’s emotional core. According to Alexander, getting back together with his ex brought a fresh outlook on life and love, which helped fuel his creative process. “We didn’t speak for a few years, and then we ended up coming back together,” Alexander explained. “The reason for Polari sounding the way it does is very simple. It’s because I got back together with my partner.”
The rekindling of their relationship, which had ended about a decade ago after a year of dating, provided Alexander with a unique lens to write songs that explore both the highs and lows of romantic connection. The album features tracks such as Dizzy, which was originally written for the Eurovision Song Contest, and When We Kiss, which reflect the joy and intensity of love as experienced by Alexander and his partner. These songs, he said, represent the new, more mature and domestic phase of their relationship, marking a significant shift in his songwriting from earlier, more turbulent periods.
“It’s a very grown-up relationship now,” Alexander said. “I’ve never experienced that before, and I felt like I had a different perspective to write from. I had all these different points of this relationship that had gone up and down, and it’s been a really beautiful thing to reflect on.” This new phase of Alexander’s personal life has led to a more confident and assured sound on Polari, which blends pop with introspective lyrics that delve into themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery.
The album’s title, Polari, is a nod to a secretive, historical language used by the LGBTQ+ community in the mid-20th century, adding an extra layer of depth to the project. The album’s themes resonate with Alexander’s ongoing commitment to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. His openness about his experiences and his identity has made him a beloved figure in both the music industry and the LGBTQ+ community.
In addition to his personal life influencing his new music, Alexander also discussed the evolution of his sound and how it has been shaped by his experiences working on the critically acclaimed HBO series It’s a Sin. The 2021 show, which explored the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, was a pivotal moment in Alexander’s career, propelling him to new heights of fame and success. The show’s impact on him was deeply felt, as it allowed him to connect with a broader audience and helped him explore his creative expression in new ways.
In the Attitude interview, Alexander reflected on his desire to create something new while staying true to his musical influences. “After It’s a Sin, my music had already drawn from that period,” he said. “I wondered if I should do something completely different, but I kept going back to who my heroes were—like Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, and George Michael. That era was speaking to me.” His love for 1980s pop music is evident in the vibrant, retro sound of Polari, which blends modern electronic elements with nostalgic synth-pop vibes.
Despite his success in music and television, Alexander continues to embrace a sense of humility and dedication to his craft. As the frontman of Years & Years, he has built a reputation for being a trailblazer in the pop music scene, and Polari showcases his growth both as an artist and as a person. His willingness to explore the complexities of love, identity, and personal growth has earned him a loyal following and critical acclaim.
Fans of Alexander can expect a more refined version of the artist they know from his previous projects, as Polari offers a more mature, introspective exploration of love and relationships. The album’s themes of redemption, self-love, and the beauty of vulnerability resonate strongly with listeners who have followed his career from the beginning.
As Alexander continues to break boundaries in both his personal and professional life, Polari serves as a testament to his evolving sound and his deep commitment to telling authentic, meaningful stories through music. It’s clear that his journey, both as an artist and as an individual, is one that continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
For those interested in diving deeper into Alexander’s world, Polari offers a raw and reflective insight into the man behind the music, as well as the relationships and experiences that have shaped him. As his fans continue to rally behind him, Alexander remains a beacon of artistic integrity and advocacy, using his platform to inspire change and celebrate individuality.
Polari is available now on all major streaming platforms, and Alexander’s fans can look forward to more new music and performances in the months ahead.
