Olly Alexander has kept a low profile since underrated Eurovision single Dizzy back in May, but now the star readies his latest album – and the first to be released under his own name – Polari. Giving us a taste of the LP already, Olly also releases new single Cupid’s Bow.
The album’s title pays tribute to forgotten queer language Polari and sees Olly collaborate with his Dizzy co-creator Danny L Harle. Freshly released single Cupid’s Bow presents a danceable, yet moody sound which Olly shines upon.
Describing the album, Olly shares: “Many queer people will understand a penchant for secrets and codes, having had a backlog of thousands of years where we were unable to live openly. About 8 months or so into the writing process the topic of Polari came up in the studio and my north star (Polaris!) appeared. I dived into the fascinating history of Polari – and it really is SO fascinating!”
Olly continues: “Here was a story that spans centuries, filled with hidden meanings and forbidden love, a way to express yourself openly via a secret code. Polari became my guiding light, a place where I could travel through time and create music that took reference from the past and remix it into the future. I’ve always written songs about love, but I found myself with a new perspective beyond my own usual fears and insecurities.”
The Dizzy hitmaker adds “Polari came to encapsulate so many things to me, a creative practice, an artistic refuge – it was a voyage that led me to many surprises – much like the language itself. This album is a documentation of that journey and a celebration of being alive. Welcome to Polari.”
‘Polari’ tracklist:
- ‘Polari’
- ‘Cupid’s Bow’
- ‘I Know’
- ‘Shadow Of Love’
- ‘Make Me A Man’
- ‘Dizzy’
- ‘Archangel’
- ‘Miss You So Much’
- ‘When We Kiss’
- ‘Whisper’
- ‘Beautiful’
- ‘Heal You’
- ‘Language’
