Years & Years, Palo Santo | Album Review 💿

Years & Years returns with a compelling sophomore album with ‘Palo Santo’ which masterfully incorporates social issues, sexuality, and spirituality. 

British synth-pop band Years & Years return with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, Palo Santo.  Palo Santo arrives three years after Olly Alexander and company broke onto the scene with their debut LP, Communion.  Leading up to the release of Palo Santo, Y&Y gave listeners a fantastic sampling of what the album in full would sound like. Unsurprisingly, ultimately, Palo Santo ranks among the better, more intriguing albums of 2018.

“Sanctify”

✓ “Sanctify” brilliantly fuses sexuality and spirituality from the jump. The production is bright, despite being set in a minor key (some major moments). Anchored by a beat fit for any hip-hop record, plus fine keyboard work, the backdrop sets up a surefire bop.  Adding to the glory, Alexander delivers exuberant, expressive vocals, filled with authenticity.  The chorus is the centerpiece, but there are numerous notable lyrics.

“You don’t have to be straight with me
I see what’s underneath your mask
I’m a man like you, I breathe the rituals of the dancer’s dance.”

The “straight” lyric is key, as Alexander was inspired with experiences with straight guys, telling Attitude Magazine, straight guys were “struggling with their sexuality.” He touches upon issues of masculinity in regards to sexuality. “Sanctify” is a  gem.

“Hallelujah” follows a juggernaut but ultimately, the record holds its own, with its alluring, flirty, and sensual vibes. “Hallelujah” matches the innuendo with a sick groove and sleek production work.  Like “Sanctify,” the spiritual is referenced, even if the “hallelujah” is sexual.

“All for You” 

Pop producer extraordinaire Greg Kurstin gets the best out of Years & Years on the energetic ✓ “All for You”.“All for You” keeps the tempo relatively quick, and the key major. While the sound is bright, the relationship is actually fading.

“Ooh, everyone sees a man so tall, so perfect, they said
Yeah, you’ve got ambition 
I thought we would grow in time, I wasn’t prepared
Now, am I forgiven?”

That leads into the most high-energy portion of the record, the chorus. On the bridge, Olly is honest about his regrets.  “Kneeling at your temple, love was accidental… / Thinking I was careful, losing every battle…” All for You” is yet another fine single that is well-rounded.

“Karma” recreates 90s and early 00s pop and R&B perfectly.  Alexander continues to impress with his commanding vocals, particularly when he ascends into his falsetto.  The attitude remains ripe: “Enemies are tryna catch up / But nothing’s gonna fuck with my love.” The tempo slackens on gorgeous ballad, ✓ “Hypnotised,” where the infatuation is turned up to the nth degree. “Surround me, body and soul / Pull me into your glow, make me blush,” Alexander sings, clearly enamored – hypnotized by his love.

“If You’re Over Me”

“Rendezvous” picks up the pace, where the state of the relationship is sexual as opposed to emotional.  This is confirmed by physically-driven lyrics such as “I don’t wanna be something objectified.” Of course, Alexander confirms the relationship built on hooking up when he sings, “Maybe our love is just a physical rendezvous.” Lyrically, there’s plenty of repetition, giving this fun tune some added gimmickry.

Second single ✓ “If You’re Over Me” features bright, exuberant production work, set in an optimistic major key. Alexander is on autopilot from the start, endearing himself stateside with his charming British accent.  His vocals are clear, commanding, and relatively easygoing and unforced.  Although bright and bubbly, thematically, Olly sings about a previous relationship where his ex-boyfriend doesn’t seem to be over him.  “You tell everyone our love went cold,” he sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “If that’s how you feel then you should go / Don’t come around saying, ‘I still want you.’” On the chorus, he continues the tale of his ex-, who’s giving mixed signals.

“Preacher”

“But you’re hiding, yeah, you’re hiding / You should come on out.” ✓ “Preacher” stands out thanks to the pronounced nature of its social, sexual, and spiritual themes. Alexander urges his love interest to live his truth as opposed to lying about his sexuality. On the chorus, he sings, “He’s a preacher, but he’s preaching a lie / … I’m a creature with a fever so high/ … And my temptation, you can’t escape it / God, baby, take me tonight.” Unsurprisingly, on ✓ “Lucky Escape,” Years & Years continues to focus on matters of the heart, once more effectively.  Olly is angry about his ex being with somebody else, yet thankful he “made a lucky escape.” 

“Palo Santo”

Palo Santo itself is a fragrant wood from South America, often used as incense.  Given ample spiritual references, it’s not surprising “holy wood” comes into play. But, according to an interview on the Zach Sang Show, Alexander asserts Palo Santo is “this fictional universe that we’ve created.” On ✓ “Palo Santo” itself, the pace slackens. Alexander, “in an altered state,” gives into the sin – lust, sex, etc. “Strike a match and whisper my name,” he sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “Speak in tongues, bend me ‘til I break.” At the same time, he paints sensual imagery, referencing Palo Santo, which is possibly clever double entendre.

“And I’m giving in to your fever touch
Let it all begin when the fire starts 
You’re the darkness in me, Palo Santo…”

The brief “Here” concludes the standard edition of the album, as Alexander urges his ex to forget he’s on the face of the planet in the nutshell.  The deluxe edition expands Palo Santo by three tracks: “Howl,” “Don’t Panic,” and “Up in Flames.” “Howl” continues his love for spiritual allusions, mentioning God and prayer, despite the fact that he isn’t a religious person.  His emotions are getting the best of him on the up-tempo “Don’t Panic,” where he asserts on the chorus, “Don’t panic / I’m gonna stand my ground /…Nothing’ll pull me down.”  The 80s are alive and well on “Up in Flames,” a sleek, energetic joint, set in a minor key.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Years & Years don’t disappoint on Palo Santo.  This album is successful for a multitude of reasons.  First and foremost, Olly Alexander makes a compelling frontman with quite an intriguing set of pipes.  Also, the production and the songwriting are sensational, making this album incredibly consistent from start to finish.  Beyond the vocals, production, and songwriting, it is the social, sexual, and spiritual themes of Palo Santo thanks adds it to the list of best albums of 2018.  Alexander tackles sexuality issues with incredible adeptness.

✓ Gems: “Sanctify,” “All for You,” “Hypnotised,” “If You’re Over Me,” “Preacher,” “Lucky Escape” & “Palo Santo”

Years & Years • Palo Santo • Polydor • Release: 7.6.18

Photo Credits: Polydor