Years & Years, Starstruck | Track Review 🎵

Despite transforming into a solo act, Years & Years (Olly Alexander) continues to bring the heat on second single of 2021, “Starstruck.”

Since releasing their excellent (and highly underrated) sophomore album, 💿 Palo Santo in 2018, pop collective 🎙 Years & Years has experienced a key change.  Once a three-person collective, Y&Y is now a solo act by front man 🎙 Olly Alexander. Hey, didn’t the same sort of thing happen with 🎙 Panic! At the Disco where 🎙 Brendan Urie is the main dude?  Despite the changes, the show must go on and just like their second single of 2021 (a cover of 🎙 Pet Shop Boys’ 🎵 “It’s a Sin”) states in its title, Olly has totally got us 🎵 “Starstruck”.

“Starstruck” was written by Alexander alongside 🎼✍ Clarence Coffee Jr., 🎼✍ Mark Ralph, and 🎼✍ Nathaniel Ledwidge.  Ralph and Ledwidge produce this bright sounding, energetic pop cut. With a great backdrop behind him, Olly delivers assertive vocals that are colorful, nuanced, and filled with personality.  His tone is absolutely stunning.  Furthermore, Alexander does some work with his pen, delivering some fun lyrics (“If I could bottle you up / I would sip ya like cosmic juice”). Of course, the centerpiece is none other than the chorus which is hella catchy.  Furthermore, the brightness ascends to an even higher level.

“I can’t help it
I get starstruck around you
What can I do baby?”

Quite a relatable sentiment by all means.  In addition to the love-centric lyrics, “Starstruck” is well organized in regard to form.  Years & Years keeps it standard with verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and later, a breakdown section, which serves as a bridge essentially (“Starstruck / Not giving you up”).

Final Thoughts 💭 

Down two members? No problem for Years & Years, who continues to bring the heat on “Starstruck.” All boxes are checked off:  strong vocals, catchy songwriting, and ear catching production.  At three-and-a-half minutes in duration, “Starstruck” is just the right length – another pro.  Perhaps it won’t change lives, but it’ll definitely enhance playlists! 

🎙 Years & Years • 🎵 “Starstruck” • 🏷 Polydor • 🗓 4.8.21

[📷: Polydor]