Olly Alexander‘s Polari is a celebratory triumph of self-expression and love. After a decade of releasing music under the moniker Years & Years, Alexander dove into his personal experience of coming out to inspire his euphoric debut. Alexander laced each song with a contagious sense of joy and pulsing instrumentals the listener can’t help but dance along to.

History & Context

The origins behind the Polari language form the crux of the album. The word directly translates to “to talk” and has a rich history in the LGBTQIA+ community, dating back to the Romani people of the 1600s, who used this secret coded language to communicate more freely. Olly Alexander first came across the concept while exploring his sexuality and resonated with it more deeply after playing Richie in the television series It’s A Sin.

Building Community

Alexander turned to music to explore identity, self-expression, and community. Titles like “Shadow Of Love,” “Whisper in the Waves,” and “Heal You” emulate the themes of grappling with connection and intimacy. To narrow in on this thesis, Alexander opens the album with the title track. The first twinkling seconds of the song and the request to “tell me something” immediately hook the listener.

The singer crafts a masterful balance of club-inspired, airy, and bouncing instrumentals with meaningful lyricism and storytelling. He continues singing, “they’re just taking my time and taking my space,” as a reminder to focus on what brings joy and on those who share your language.

The Quest For Love

The cover art for the single “Cupid’s Bow” features Alexander staring down the barrel of the camera, holding his bow at his side with five arrows at his disposal. This image for the album builds upon this story, as it features the singer aiming his last bow at a target out of frame—perhaps representing his journey to self-acceptance. Lyrics like “is this the moment I’ve been waiting for” and “cupid’s bow is looking for somebody like you” cast himself as the seeker of love and express his desire for genuine connection.

Use Your Voice

In the standout track “Archangel,” Alexander employs repetition to stress the importance of living your truth. Lyrics like “you can do whatever you want whenever you want cause everything’s yours tonight” and “just say whatever you want whenever you want” empower the listener to stop holding back. He counters the isolation of navigating one’s journey alone by creating a mantra of self-affirmation.

In “Make Me a Man,” Alexander switches the narrative perspective from third to first person, forging an intimate connection with his fans. Lyrics like “he was alone but he didn’t know” and “won’t you make me a man” may explore his personal journey but simultaneously connect it to the experiences the listener may be going through.

Alexander displays his range on slower tracks like “Whisper in the Waves,” where he leans on nature imagery to embolden the listener to make a difference, singing, “whisper in the waves / blow the winds of change.” Harnessing elements of immense power like the wind and waves—elements that have existed for centuries and will continue in the future—make the listener feel a part of something greater than themselves. He indicates that one person’s strength and bravery can become something grand.

Language As A Tool To Guide 

Alexander invites those going through the same experiences to lean on his music for support. On the penultimate track, “Heal Me,” he pleads, “be who you truly are / you know I’ll be waiting / so take your sorrow / and put it on me / don’t be scared / just believe / cause I remember / how it was for me.” Through his inspiring lyrics, he guides listeners to embrace their authentic selves. The percussion during the bridge sounds like an audience clapping as a way to celebrate the listener through the instrumental. He continues, emphasizing how “Everybody should be heard.”

He closes the album with “Language,” a full circle moment that underscores the power of communication, tying back to the original meaning of Polari. He writes, “I’ll stop the world from turning” and “keep holding onto me / don’t lose hope” as the instrumental pulls higher notes to lift the listener up. Alexander reminds audiences that pop and dance music does not have to sacrifice depth and meaning. 

Be sure to pre-save and tune in to the world release of Polari on February 7.

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