By Tyler Whiting
Photo Credit: Polydor Records
More than a decade after releasing music with Years & Years, Olly Alexander today releases his debut solo album, Polari, celebrating queer history, and a personal exploration into identity, all while being tied together in a pop soundtrack.
While being launched to fame with band Years & Years, and then starring in acclaimed Channel 4 show, It’s a Sin, Olly has always been a beacon in the LGBTQ+ community. From personal stories, advocacy, and support for mental health awareness, not only do Olly’s actions speak loudly – but so does his music.
The entire album feels like an intimate glimpse into Olly’s deeply personal sexuality journey, exploring much more of the singer’s feelings and thoughts than we have seen and heard previously.
Working closely with producer Danny L Harle, Olly has created a pop album worthy of his solo debut.
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“Polari” was a secret coded language, in which gay men used to be able to communicate, as homosexuality was illegal in England and Wales, with the law changing only as recently as 1967.
The language is summed up by using Italianate words, rhyming slang and Romani, and has since been adopted by members of the LGBTQ+ community, even in the 20th century.
A running theme of drum beats, synths, and Olly’s unique voice, are prominent throughout the album. The title track, Polari, is strong, and a unique opener, which varies to the other tracks on the album, with glitching instruments and vocals.
It certainly grabs the listener’s attention, and invites us to listen to the rest of the album, to find out what Olly has in store.
Cupid’s Bow feels like a love letter to a crush, mixed with the vibrant nightlife of the club.
With the queer community having such a prominent nightlife, we can picture this track fitting in perfectly with the dark corners, contrasted with bright, flashing lights and dancing bodies, packed tightly into small venues.
Make Me A Man highlights the entire album’s use of symbolism, to topics such as religion, sex, and what it is to feel alive. With lyrics, ‘Making me wait, making me pray for a bite of the apple’ referring to the original temptation, this light-hearted sound is in direct contrast to some of the deeper lyrics of this sugar-coated pop track.
The UK’s 2024 Eurovision entry, Dizzy, features on the album, and to put it simply, captures all of the feelings of having a crazy time with that one special person. It perfectly sums up all of the emotional rollercoaster feelings we experience when meeting someone new, having a crush, and just wanting to dance with them all night long.
Archangel is a personal favourite, utilising a catchy drum pattern and rhythmical variety, with layered vocal harmonies. The chorus, featuring lyrics, ‘You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, Cause everything’s yours tonight‘ brings an inspiring and optimistic way of looking at, and living life. So often, we are told we can’t achieve greatness, but Archangel reminds us of those friends who will find you in the darkest of times and continue to uplift you, no matter what.
The closing track, Language, perfectly finishes the album, with themes of uncertainty; not knowing what is around the corner. We can all relate to wanting to stop the world from turning, if only to spend time with the ones we love.
Language speaks to that deep desire inside all of us – the ending message of the song and album:
If anything in this life is that certain, it is the love we have for others.
Overall, Polari has a great sense of 80s aesthetics, synths, and being unapologetically queer and in love. It’s so exciting to watch Olly’s style being able to grow and develop, with his debut solo album.
We would love to see him pushing himself perhaps out of his comfort zone of the pop genre in future, but absolutely adore the messages he has brought to the table with Polari.
We can’t wait to see what else he has in store!
Text Copyright 2025 © Tyler Whiting/ADRENALINE Magazine. All rights reserved.
Images Copyright 2025 © Polydor Records. All rights reserved.
Lauren Meaney 
Casey Brockbank