Olly Alexander Reveals New Album ‘Polari’ Details, Releases Single ‘Cupid’s Bow’

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:

1. ‘Polari’
2. ‘Cupid’s Bow’
3. ‘I Know’
4. ‘Shadow Of Love’
5. ‘Make Me A Man’
6. ‘Dizzy’
7. ‘Archangel’
8. ‘Miss You So Much’
9. ‘When We Kiss’
10. ‘Whisper’
11. ‘Beautiful’
12. ‘Heal You’
13. ‘Language’