Winners of BBC’s Sound of 2015 award, Years & Years have been making some serious waves in the music world so far this year. However, it could be the release of their debut album on the first New Music Friday that may be the move which launches them into full-on mainstream stardom. Their album Communion has been in the works for a while now, and even though many of the songs on the album have been released as singles or played live for a number of months, there is still a lot of fresh music to be heard which makes it a seriously good purchase.
Chart topping pop songs like ‘King’ and ‘Desire’ fall between the elegantly crafted melodic notes of ‘Ties’ and ‘Memo’. Olly Alexander sings about his broken heart and his problematic love life on tracks like ‘Without’, a soulful ballad with a heavenly chorus. Olly’s voice soars above the wonderful beats which bass player Mikey Goldsworthy and synth player Emre Turkmen create, and the song showcases just how varied the band’s sound can be.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXTAn4ELEwM]
The album opens with the haunting sounds of ‘Foundation’. Vocally Olly draws the listener in with his powerful and unique voice, every lyric perfectly articulated with a mildly threatening effect. As he sings “Its all over” the song crescendos in a soul crushingly powerful way, but thankfully the notes of ‘Real’ are there to pick you up and put you back together. This song with an incredible bassline not only shines on the album but also live where Olly can showcase his individual and brilliant dancing. On both this track and ‘Memo’, he felt it was “important to get some male pronouns in”. Alexander is openly gay and is currently in a relationship with Clean Bandit violinist Neil Amin-Smith. The pair recently said they have been open about their private life in the hope of inspiring young fans struggling with their sexuality, and with speeches such as the one he made on the John Peel stage at Glastonbury this year about pride, he is making a massive difference.
Listening to the band live is an absolutely incredible experience, they take to the stage with two backing singers and talented drummer Dylan Bell, who really bring the songs to life. Crowds sing the words back at Olly and the elation which the songs create is felt by the whole audience. The mood only breaks when the band slows down and they allow themselves and the audience a break with songs like ‘Eyes Shut’, where the sadness of the song’s lyrics is actually felt.
Communion is a perfect collection of exhilarating dance floor tunes, yet Olly Alexander is frequently pained, heartbroken and lonely. Perhaps it is this combination which creates faultless tracks and a glorious album.
Words by Lizzie Wood