Olly Alexander opens up about releasing music as a solo artist
Years & Years became a solo project in March 2021
We were thrilled to have Olly Alexander of Years & Years join us on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show to talk about working as a solo artist and his new music. Olly released his new song 'Sweet Talker' with Galantis on 24th November and his album 'Night Call' is due to be released in January 2022.
In March 2021, it was announced that Years & Years would become a solo project for Olly, and we got chatting to him about how the decision came about: "There's been so many changes in the world obviously in the last year, but also in my life and becoming a solo act as Years & Years was another big change but it had been kind of on the cards for a long time as well.
"So, I was excited, it felt like a bit of a refresh, a new chapter but then I had all this extra anxiety because it sort of felt like there's a bit more pressure. But I'm so so happy that the album's coming out. So I'm happy, I'm very excited."
Olly also told us about the decision to keep performing under the name Years & Years instead of his own: "I thought about should I just change my musical name to Olly Alexander but I just didn't want to and I wanted to stay as Years & Years and keep making Years & Years music. But who knows in the future."
We got chatting about his latest single 'Sweet Talker' and Olly shared some insight into the track and what he hoped fans would take away from it: "I hope it makes them feel euphoric and like they want to move their body and dance, I just want to give people a good time.
"It's a song I think a lot of people can relate to, like someone who chats a lot of sweet things and then ends up giving nothing. So, the song's got that message behind it but hopefully you can dance to it."
Listen to 'Sweet Talker' by Years & Years and Galantis:
You can hear more amazing interviews on the Hits Radio Breakfast show weekday mornings from 6am.
Take a look at these amazing albums that were released throughout 2021:
The Weeknd - 'The Highlights'
Serving as the second greatest hits album released by The Weeknd, 'The Highlights' includes huge bops such as 'Blinding Lights', 'Can't Feel My Face', 'The Hills' and 'Love Me Harder' - making it no surprise that it flew to the Number 2 on the UK Albums Chart upon its release in February.
Sam Smith - 'Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios'
'Love Goes: Live At Abbey Road Studios' is Sam Smith's third live album. Released in March 2021, it captures the singer's only live performance of 2020... For obvious reasons. Within the album fans can hear huge Sam Smith hits such as 'Dancing With a Stranger' and 'How Do You Sleep?'.
Drake - 'Scary Hours 2' (EP)
After announcing that his upcoming sixth studio album 'Certified Lover Boy' was to be delayed until later in 2021, fans were delighted when Drake dropped his fourth extended play 'Scary Hours 2' in March.
Drake then took the world by storm on 3rd September 2021, with the surprise drop of his sixth studio album 'Certified Lover Boy', which included huge tracks such as 'Girls Want Girls', 'Fair Trade' and 'Way 2 Sexy'.
Zara Larsson - 'Poster Girl'
Also in March, Zara Larsson released her epic third studio album 'Poster Girl'. The album was supported by the catchy tracks 'Love Me Land', 'Wow' and 'Talk About Love', as well as featuring the iconic 'Ruin My Life'.
Nick Jonas - 'Spaceman'
Despite the ULTIMATE Jonas Brothers reunion that really helped kick 2019 to a good start, Nick Jonas has still managed to continue a successful solo career, with March 2021 welcoming his fourth studio album 'Spaceman'. The album, which was his first solo release since the epic reunion of the bro-band, was a certified hit, cruising to the Number 12 spot on the US Billboard 200.
Selena Gomez - 'Revelación' (EP)
This one was truly music to our ears (quite literally) upon its release in March, with 'Revelación' being Selena's first ever release to be predominantly sung in Spanish! Preceding singles 'De Una Vez' and 'Baila Conmigo' topped the US Latin Charts, giving us a taste of the stunning vocals yet to come.
Justin Bieber - 'Justice'
Justin's March release of 'Justice', his sixth studio album, was hugely anticipated by fans, despite getting their fix of the star just one year prior, with his 2020 release 'Changes'. The huge drop, preceded by hit singles 'Holy', 'Lonely' and 'Hold On' and featuring other huge names such as Khalid, Chance the Rapper and Quavo, flew to the Number 2 spot in the UK Albums Chart.
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha's second studio album, 'Better Mistakes', was released on 7th May, featuring the catchy bops 'Baby, I'm Jealous' featuring Doja Cat and 'Sacrifice'!
Rag’n’Bone Man - ‘Life by Misadventure’
Rag'n'Bone Man wasn't shy when it came to amping up the excitement for his second studio album, 'Life by Misadventure'. After dropping his huge collab with Pink, 'Anywhere Away From Here', in April, fans couldn't wait to hear what the 'Human' singer had in store when he released the album on 7th May.
BTS
K-Pop hitmakers BTS delighted fans when they announced the release of their sixth compilation album 'BTS, the Best', and it was released on 16th June 2021!
Doja Cat - 'Planet Her'
Released on 25th June, Doja Cat's third studio album 'Planet Her' got fans VERY excited. As we all know, the 'Say So' singer has worked with some pretty huge names in the past (we're looking at you, Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion), and the 'Planet Her' tracklist proves she's keeping it that way!
Anne Marie
After announcing that her second album was on its way back in January 2020, fans were very keen to hear what Anne-Marie had in store for us all next. Despite the release being put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, 'Therapy' was finally released on Friday 23rd July 2021.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish's second album 'Happier Than Ever' was released on 30th July, containing 16 tracks, which preceded singles 'Therefore I Am', 'Lost Cause' and 'NDA'. Adding the icing on top of the cake, the singer also announced that she will be taking the album on tour in 2022.
Lil Nas X
It's official, Lil Nas X's debut album 'MONTERO' has arrived! Landing on 17th September, it's safe to say that this one was welcomed by fans with open arms, given the huge success of his past hits such as 'Old Town Road', 'Panini' and his single 'MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)'.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran took to his Instagram earlier this year to inform his fans: 'I'll be back online with the 4th instalment in the series later this year'.
Ed later released his single 'Bad Habits' on 25th June, soon after announcing that his new album will be called '=' ('Equals') and it was released on 29th October 2021! He even officially announced that he will be heading on a huge stadium tour in 2022. Good to have you back, Ed...
Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett
Yes, you read that right! Lady Gaga and the legendary Tony Bennett have teamed up once again to record an album together - which they completed as Tony sadly battled Alzheimer's disease.
The album was released on 30th September 2021, and fans absolutely love it!
James Arthur
James revealed that he spent lockdown channelling his creativity for a new music chapter. The 'Say You Won't Let Go' singer told Guilty Pleasures that he has "finished the album", after writing around 60 songs. He released his first single, 'Medicine', from the album in March.
His album 'It'll All Make Sense in the End' was released on 5th November 2021.
Mabel
In April 2021, Mabel released her five-track EP 'Magic', containing HUGE hits such as 'Don't Call Me Up' and 'Finders Keepers'.
Proving she's not stopping any time soon, she then released a brand new single 'Let Them Know' in June 2021, while teasing that her upcoming album 'M2' is on the way!
Now Read:
Years & Years' Olly Alexander's best outfits
Olly Alexander discusses collab with Kylie Minogue and reveals the gift she gave him
Years & Years' Olly Alexander reveals his favourite song to perform on stage 😍