Years & Years | |
|---|---|
 Olly Alexander performing at theSziget Festival in Hungary, 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2010–2024[1] |
| Labels | |
| Past members | Olly Alexander
|
| Website | ollyalexander |
Years & Years were an English electropop band formed inLondon in 2010. The band rose to fame after their single "King" (2015) topped theUK Singles Chart and entered the top ten hit in thirteen other regions. It was preceded by the release of their debut studio albumCommunion (2015), which debuted at number one on theUK Albums Chart, and became the fastest-selling debut album of the year from a UK signed band.[2] It also features the commercially successful single "Shine", which reached number two in the UK.[3]
In July 2018, Years & Years released their second albumPalo Santo which became their second album to reach the top ten in the UK and features the singles "Sanctify" and "If You're Over Me", which reached the top ten there.[4] In March 2021, the band announced that Years & Years would move forward as frontmanOlly Alexander's solo project.[5][6][7][8] In January 2022, the third Years & Years albumNight Call was released, debuting at number one in the UK. In 2023, Alexander stopped using the band's name and switched to performing under his own name. The following year, he confirmed that the project had disbanded.[1]
During their career, Years & Years were nominated for sixBrit Awards and was a recipient of various awards including anAttitude Award,Sound of 2015 Award,British LGBT Award,Brits Billion Award,Music Moves Europe Award,GQ Award,GAFFA Award,MTV Video Music Awards Japan Award andUK Music Video Awards.
The band was formed in 2010, after Mikey Goldsworthy moved to London from Australia and met Noel Leeman and then, later, Emre Türkmen online.[9] Olly Alexander later joined the band as its lead vocalist, after Goldsworthy heard him singing in the shower.[10] The band was originally a five-piece group, with Noel Leeman and Olivier Subria.[11] Years & Years' first single, "I Wish I Knew" was released in July 2012 on the Good Bait label, with the band performing as a five-piece.[12] Leeman and Subria left the band the following year, leaving them as a trio.[13]
In 2013, the group signed a deal to the French labelKitsuné as a three-piece and released their second single, called "Traps" in September 2013.[14] Their third single, called "Real" was released by Kitsuné in February 2014 and its music video featured an appearance by Alexander'sPeter and Alice co-star,Ben Whishaw, and the formerMisfits actorNathan Stewart-Jarrett.[15] In 2014, the group signed a deal toPolydor Records and then released their fourth single, called "Take Shelter". The song reached number one on the iTunesUK Singles Electronic Chart.[16] In December 2014, the group released their fifth single, "Desire", which peaked at number 22 on theUK Singles Chart.[17]
In January 2015, the band wonBBC'sSound of 2015 poll.[18] In the same month, the band's sixth single, "King", was previewed onBBC Radio 1 and selected asZane Lowe's Hottest Record in the World.[19] "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 the2015's BRIT Awards.[20] 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 theUK Albums Chart.[21][22] 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 theUK Singles Chart. "Eyes Shut" was released as their eighth single that was to be taken fromCommunion. 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 fourBrit 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 thatTove 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 frontmanOlly 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 something of a spokesperson. The band played their biggest headline show to date on 8 April 2016, atWembley Arena, London, as part of their 2016 UK headline tour. The show was completely sold out, with support coming fromMØ, Nimmo and Mabel. In July 2016, the band released the music video for their next single fromCommunion, "Worship". The music video was directed by Matt Lambert, with choreography fromRyan Heffington. On 11 September 2016, Years & Years performed the last show of theirCommunion tour atLollapalooza in Berlin.[23]
On 13 September 2016, the band released the song "Meteorite", which was included on the soundtrack for the filmBridget 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 withJulia Michaels andJustin Tranter. The first single from the album, "Sanctify", was released on 7 March 2018.[24] 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 theirPalo 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 onThe Greatest Showman: Reimagined covering "Come Alive" alongsideJess Glynne which was released on 16 November 2018.[25]
In November 2018, "Play", a collaboration with DJJax 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 withMNEK 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 theGlastonbury Festival where Alexander gave a speech that was universally praised by fans and media.[26][27]
On 11 September 2019, they released a single in collaboration with thePet Shop Boys called "Dreamland", with Alexander appearing alongside the Pet Shop Boys to perform the song during their headlining slot atRadio 2 Live in Hyde Park. Written in 2017, the track was originally scheduled to be released on thePalo Santo album in 2018 but was ultimately included on the Pet Shop Boys' 2020 albumHotspot.
In conjunction with Alexander starring in the 2021 drama seriesIt's a Sin, Years & Years released a cover of thesong of the same name, also by the Pet Shop Boys.[28]
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. Goldsworthy will still play live as an instrumentalist and Türkmen will focus on his work as a writer and producer.[29] Alexander toldCapital FM:
"[T]he honest truth of what happened [is that] me, Mikey and Emre met, like, ten years ago. We've been in this band for a decade, and in that time, we've just kind of grown apart musically, right. We kind of stopped making music together, and when we announced that I was going to be Olly Years & Years, it had kind of been a long time coming, if that makes sense. We all got into a new way of living our lives and working together quite separately. Then after thepandemic, I feel like we had all this time to really reflect on what was going on and it made sense that we kind of went our separate ways. I've been writing all the songs for this new album, and Emre's working on other stuff, he's got his family to raise and so it's just an honest thing. We didn't fall out – we're all mates and stuff – so it's definitely different but I'm really excited as well to kind of do my thing this time."[30]
Regarding his decision to keep the "Years & Years" name, Alexander later explained: "I just didn't want to let Years & Years go. I put so much into it. It was a tricky decision in some ways, because I think, possibly, it might have been a bit simpler for everyone if I had just been like, 'Oh, I'm a solo artist now.' But I just didn't want to. Bands are like marriages. Any separation is difficult, and I think it went as well as it could, with us."[31]
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.[32] A remix featuring Australian singerKylie Minogue was released on 21 May 2021.[33][34] 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 albumNight Call.[citation needed] The album was released on 21 January 2022. On 6 October 2021, "A Second to Midnight" was released, a song by Kylie Minogue and Years & Years that appears on the reissue of Minogue'sDisco album. In November, Years & Years collaborated with Galantis on the single "Sweet Talker".[35] The BBC announced that Years & Years would headline aNew Year's Eve concert special,The Big New Years & Years Eve Party, with guest appearances by Minogue andPet Shop Boys.[36][37][38]
On 15 February 2022, Years & Years released a remix of "Starstruck" featuring J-pop singer SIRUP.[39] On 1 November 2022, Years & Years released a cover ofCrystal Waters' 1994 single "100% Pure Love". American retailerTarget would use this version for its 2022 holiday campaign.[40][41]
On 3 June 2023, Years & Years headlined theMighty Hoopla music festival,[42] sharing the top billing with American singerKelly Rowland.[43]
In February 2023, it was announced that Emre Turkmen and Mikey Goldsworthy had formed the duo Human Family and had achieved a label signing under an agreement betweenBMG and independent publisher Minds On Fire.[44] Their first single, "I Like You", was released in 2025.[45]
On 16 December 2023, it was announced that Olly Alexander will be representing theUnited Kingdom at theEurovision Song Contest 2024 using his name instead of Years & Years.[46] Following his Eurovision announcement, he told the BBC that he'd "wanted to do it for a while" and it "felt like this was the right time to start releasing music under my name".[47] His debut solo album,Polari, was released on 7 February 2025.[48]
The band's influences includeChristina Aguilera,[49]Radiohead,Britney Spears,Kylie Minogue,Janet Jackson,Flying Lotus,Marilyn Manson,[50]the Beatles,Jai Paul,Timbaland,Joni Mitchell,Aaliyah,Justin Timberlake,Rihanna,Robyn,Scritti Politti,Sigur Rós[51] andPet Shop Boys, with whom the group has collaborated with on the Years & Years version of "It's a Sin" and the 2019 PSB single "Dreamland".[52]
During their concerts, the band have performed covers of songs byBlu Cantrell,Katy Perry,Britney Spears,Pet Shop Boys,Ariana Grande,Madonna,Cyndi Lauper,Joni Mitchell,Brandy andDrake.[53]
| Member | Role | Years active (in band) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olly Alexander | Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Piano | 2010 - 2023 | |
| Mikey Goldsworthy | Keyboards, Synthesizers, Bass Guitar | 2010 - 2021; 2021-2023 (Touring) | [54][non-primary source needed] |
| Emre Türkmen | Keyboards, Synthesizers, Beats, Samples, Sequencers, Laptop, Guitar | 2010 - 2021 | |
| Noel Leeman | Keyboards, Synthesizers | 2010 - 2013 | |
| Oliver Subria | Drums | 2010 - 2013 |
Former touring members
| Award | Year | Nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attitude Awards | 2015 | Communion | Album of the Year | Won | [57] |
| BBC Music Awards | 2015 | Themselves | British Artist of the Year | Nominated | [58] |
| BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards | 2015 | "King" | Best British Single | Nominated | [59] |
| Themselves | Best British Group | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | Nominated | ||||
| BBC Sound of... | 2015 | Themselves | Sound of 2015 | Won | [60] |
| Berlin Music Video Awards | 2022 | "Sweet Talker" | Best Art Direction | Nominated | [61] |
| 2024 | "Dizzy" | Best Cinematography | Nominated | [62] | |
| Best Art Vinyl | 2022 | Night Call | Best Vinyl Art | Nominated | [63] |
| Brit Awards | 2015 | Themselves | Critics' Choice | Nominated | [64] |
| 2016 | British Breakthrough Act | Nominated | [65] | ||
| British Group | Nominated | ||||
| "King" | British Single of the Year | Nominated | |||
| British Video of the Year | Eliminated | ||||
| 2019 | Themselves | British Group | Nominated | [66] | |
| British LGBT Awards | 2016 | Olly Alexander | Celebrity Rising Star | Nominated | [67] |
| Themselves | Music Artist | Nominated | [68] | ||
| 2017 | Won | [69] | |||
| Olly Alexander | Celebrity | Nominated | [70] | ||
| 2018 | "Growing Up Gay" | Media Moment | Nominated | [71] | |
| 2020 | Themselves | Music Artist | Nominated | [72] | |
| Olly Alexander | Celebrity | Won | [73] | ||
| 2022 | Nominated | [74] | |||
| British Phonographic Industry | 2023 | Brits Billion Award | Won | [75] | |
| Ciclope Festival | 2016 | "Worship" | Best Music Video | Nominated | [76] |
| European Border Breakers Awards | 2015 | Communion | Album of the Year (UK) | Won | [77] |
| GLAAD Media Awards | 2019 | Themselves | Outstanding Music Artist | Nominated | [78] |
| GQ Awards | 2018 | Themselves | Best Live Act | Won | [79] |
| GAFFA Awards (Sweden) | 2015 | Themselves | Best Foreign New Act | Won | [80] |
| GAFFA-Prisen Awards | 2019 | Themselves | Best International Band | Nominated | [81] |
| Global Awards | 2022 | Olly Alexander | Best British Act | Nominated | [82] |
| Best Male | Nominated | ||||
| Best Pop Act | Nominated | ||||
| MTV Brand New | 2015 | Themselves | Brand New For 2015 | Nominated | [83] |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | 2015 | Themselves | Best Push Act | Nominated | [84] |
| Best UK & Ireland Act | Nominated | ||||
| 2016 | Nominated | [85] | |||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | 2015 | "King" | Video of the Year | Nominated | [86] |
| Best New Artist Video – International | Won | ||||
| mtvU Woodie Awards | 2015 | Themselves | Artist to Watch | Won | [87] |
| Music Week Awards | 2023 | Olly Alexander | Music & Brand Partnership | Nominated | [88] |
| Popjustice £20 Music Prize | 2014 | "Take Shelter" | Best British Pop Single | Nominated | [89] |
| 2015 | "King" | Nominated | |||
| Q Awards | 2015 | Themselves | Best New Act | Nominated | [90] |
| Queerty Awards | 2019 | "Sanctify" | Anthem | Nominated | [91] |
| 2022 | "Starstruck"(withKylie Minogue) | Nominated | [92] | ||
| Silver Clef Awards | 2019 | Themselves | Best Group | Won | [93] |
| UK Music Video Awards | 2015 | Themselves | Best Artist | Nominated | [94] |
| "Shine" | Best Interactive Video | Nominated | |||
| "King" | Best Pop Video - UK | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | "Sanctify" | Nominated | [95] | ||
| "If You're Over Me" | Best Styling | Won | [96] | ||
| Winq Men of the Year Awards | 2015 | Themselves | Music Award | Won | [97] |
| XITE Awards | 2015 | "King" | Most Played Music Video | Won | [98] |
In 2017, Emre Türkmen formed grunge duo Exit Kid[99] with touring drummer Dylan Bell[100] with the duo releasing a number of EPs[100] while Türkmen continued to be a member of Years & Years. In 2020, Exit Kid released the single "You Got All The World" featuring Türkmen's wife on vocals,[101] with the songs "Out Of Time"[102][103] and "Sura"[104] being released in 2022.
...we've decided that Years & years will continue as an Olly solo project.
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
