Out now: ‘Night Call,’ the new album by Years & Years

‘Night Call,’ the third album from Platinum-selling British pop outfit Years & Years is out now on Interscope Records. Fronted by Olly Alexander, now standing solo, the album features the latest single “Sweet Talker” (with Galantis). Listen to the new album, ‘Night Call’ HERE.

Clues to the album's theme are in the album’s artwork, featuring a mermaid of a muse. “I wanted to identify with this beautiful creature luring men to their death; searching for a love, or a lover, that’s out of reach” Olly says. “A lot of the songs are patchworks inspired by random memories and hook-ups, or men that I’ve met.”

Written over the course of six months, ‘Night Call’ sees Olly Alexander use his platform to push the boundaries of mainstream superstardom. With a sound as inspired by pioneering figures like Sylvester as it is the club-ready world of French House and embodying the new perspective of a character – like his portrayal of Ritchie in HBO's acclaimed series ‘It’s A Sin’ - also deeply influenced Olly’s songwriting in its wider exploration of queer life. ‘Night Call’ blurs the boundaries between hedonistic fantasy and locked down reality precisely because, says Olly, “I was stuck in the same four walls. I wanted to have as much pleasure as possible in the music.”

Co-written by and produced in a manner familiar to Olly, with producer Mark Ralph at the helm and pulling in young and experimental song makers to work on the tracks with Olly, including the likes of Georgia, DetoNate and George Reid.

“Crave” is an undoing of the traditional idea of sexual submission in song form, and how it changes when we subvert it – commanding that domination instead.

“It was a playful way of inhabiting the deranged sexual energy I’ve always wanted,” he says of the song. “In the past I felt like I’ve been dominated by toxic relationships, and I felt like it would be fun to turn it on its head.”

A ‘fuck-you’ rage felt towards men who’ve messed him around shapes two tracks in particular: “Consequences” and “Sooner or Later”. They are about, Olly says, “every man that has annoyed me in my life."

“Strange and Unusual”, inspired by the chilled-out house music -- the likes of Morcheeba -- his mother raised him on, is a love song that honors the distinct queer experience. “Queer people are othered in that respect, so I wanted to write something that felt fun and transcendent for three minutes,” he says.

Two tracks were salvaged from the 20-or-so cut demos that meant the most to Olly: “20 Minutes” and “Make It Out Alive”. The former is about the blush of affection felt, albeit briefly, during a hook-up; “Make It Out Alive” is the closest thing the record has to a lovelorn ballad. But it’s so fatalistic in its framing of love that it almost counts as high camp in its final form; as if it could be sung live from atop a trapeze wire, gazing at the moon. “I found a good groove on the people I was working with musically,” Olly says of these songs, “then we got on a roll.”

The album is a work of fantasy, and on its tracks, Olly layers his characters with glimmers of real life meaning. “The characters are me,” he insists. 

‘Night Call’ follows two successful albums. The singer/actor has earned 5 Brit Award nominations, surpassed 4.4 billion global streams, and sold out numerous global tours. Olly has also become a voice on important discussions around mental health, and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

2021 started out with a leading role in the critically acclaimed HBO Max drama ‘It’s A Sin’, which brought the fight against HIV/AIDS back into the public conversation like never before and earned Olly a nomination for a prestigious Critics Choice Award for ‘Best Actor in A Limited Series or Movie Made for Television’ for his role as Ritchie Tozer in the series.

Other 2021 highlights included a performance of the Pet Shop Boys song “It’s a Sin” alongside Elton John at the BRIT Awards (WATCH) and the release of his single “Starstruck,” which was Olly’s first new music since 2018’s ‘Palo Santo.’ Olly was later joined by Kylie Minogue on a special remix of “Starstruck.” Listen HERE. Olly would again team up with Kylie on “Second to Midnight,” the lead single from Minogue’s ‘Disco: Guest List Edition’ (also featured on the deluxe version of ‘Night Call’). Watch the official music video HERE.

A special Deluxe Version is available featuring 3 new tracks plus the previously released Kylie Minogue-assisted remix of “Starstruck” and Olly’s Kylie collaboration “A Second To Midnight.”

TRACKLISTING:

Consequences
Starstruck
Night Call
Intimacy
Crave
Sweet Talker (with Galantis)
Sooner or Later
20 Minutes
Strange and Unusual
Make It Out Alive
See You Again

DELUXE CD BONUS TRACKS:

Immaculate
Muscle
Reflection
A Second To Midnight (with Kylie Minogue)
Starstruck (Kylie Minogue Remix)