Olly Alexander has released the first Years & Years single since the band’s transition into a solo project.
The group – formerly Olly Alexander, Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen – is now a solo vehicle for Olly, who has just dropped his debut-ish chart-pop banger, ‘Starstruck’.
“[‘Starstruck’] came together one night at a studio in the countryside outside of London,” Olly says. “I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen so many stars, you get used to them not being there when you live in the city. Since we’ve all had to stop, all I’ve wanted to do is go out and dance. So I’ve been putting all that pent up energy into the music.
“‘Starstruck’ is about the rush you get when you’re with somebody you’re really into, it’s about holding onto a good feeling and not letting it go. Like most of us I’ve spent the past year at home, and I wanted to create something super positive and fun for people (and myself) to bop along too. Whatever we’re doing or wherever we are in life, I think we all deserve three minutes of interstellar ecstasy.”
The former-trio explained earlier this year: “There’s been some changes that we want to fill you in on. This upcoming new album has been an Olly endeavour and we’ve decided that Years & Years will continue as an Olly solo project. The three of us are still good friends. Mikey will be part of the Y&Y family and play with us live and õmre will focus on being a writer producer.
“These past twelve months have been crazy for us all and we want to thank you for the love and support you’ve given us over the years (& years).
“New Y&Y music will be coming this spring.”
Years & Years have released two albums thus far; ‘Communion’ in 2015, and ‘Palo Santo’ in 2018.