Olly Alexander, American Boy | COVERS

In the 1^st edition of COVERS (2024), Olly Alexander (Years & Years) delivers a compelling rendition of “American Boy,” originally performed by Estelle.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 1^st edition of COVERS (2024), Olly Alexander (Years & Years) delivers a compelling rendition of “American Boy”, originally performed by Estelle.

“Take me on a trip I’d love to go someday / Take me to New York, I’d love to see LA,” Olly Alexander, the sole member of Years & Years, sings.  He continues, “I really want to, come kick it with you / You’ll be my American boy.” “American Boy” in the hands of Alexander works seamlessly for many reasons.  One, is, he happens to be from England, just like the song’s original performer, Estelle (Estelle Swaray).  Like Estelle, he wants in on the American boy train! Furthermore, it’s no secret Olly is gay, so, he eats up this Grammy-winning record original recorded by the opposite sex and makes it a fab addition to the LGBTQ+ collection. “American Boy” was penned by Estelle, Caleb Speir, John Legend, Josh Lopez, Kanye West, Keith Harris, Kweli Washington, and will.i.am.  MNEK produces this sick cover.

“He said, ‘Hey, mister, really, really nice to meet ya’ / I just met this five-foot-seven guy who’s just my type.” A short king 🤴 – right on, Olly! In the hands of Alexander, “American Boy” is no copycat cover.  First and foremost, Olly and Estelle possess two completely different voices.  Furthermore, in this Years & Years take, the key is changed – C/ C minor versus E / E minor.  As far as his tone, Olly slays, wowing with his exuberant, light tenor.  The production is also updated for the 2020s.  Not that the original is dated or stale, but this more recent interpretation gets more of the synthpop treatment we’ve come to associate with the ‘collective.’ One of many selling points besides the rhythmic, slick instrumental are the smooth, harmonized background vocals – sweet, sweet, sweet! Estelle made “American Boy” a hit – one of the gems of the 2010s.  Olly Alexander does a magnificent job of reintroducing it to a new audience in the 2020s, PERIOD.

🎙 Olly Alexander (Years & Years) • 🎵 “American Boy” • 🏷 Polydor / Universal Music Operations Limited • 🗓 2022

Olly Alexander (Years & Years), American Boy: Covers No. 1 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Polydor / Universal Music Operations Limited; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]