Years & Years has officially disbanded as Olly Alexander steps away from being the sole member of the synth-pop project. During a recent self-titled performance on BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, the singer-songwriter told the audience: “I was in Years & Years, I used to be Years & Years, and now it's just me.”
In 2021, Alexander took over Years & Years as a solo act ahead of the project's third album, Night call. The change marked the departure of founding members Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre TĂĽrkmen. Goldsworthy continued to tour with Alexander until 2023, while TĂĽrkmen turned his focus to Exit Kid's grunge project.
Alexandros recently entered the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 under his own name. The singer took part with the single 'Dizzy', his first official release in years, but was criticized for his decision to continue participating in the event amid a boycott related to Israel's eligibility for the competition.
“Obviously, I wish there was no war or this crazy humanitarian crisis,” Alexander shared in response to the backlash. “I wish for peace, and I have found this experience, at times, extremely… I just felt very sad and distressed. But I still think it's good when people get together for fun. That's why I wanted to do Eurovision.”
“Dizzy” was ultimately awarded zero points by the general public during the contest's voting period.
Years & Years released three studio albums throughout the project. Their debut, Society, arrived in 2015, with the singles 'King', 'Shine', 'Eyes Shut' and 'Desire'. Its sequel, 2018 Palo Santo, It received a more subdued reception than their debut, but found success with “If You're Over Me” and the Jax Jones collaboration “Play”.
In their latest joint statement as Years & Years in 2021, Alexander, Goldsworthy and TĂĽrkmen wrote: “We want to thank you for the love and support you've given us all these years (and years).”
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