‘Sanctify’ is the title of the new single from British pop trio Years & Years; the first release in 18 months.
And while we’re not quite sure about Olly’s new red hair (sorry Olly), we’re rather digging the new tune.
It marks a slight departure in sound for the band, who brought us such previous pop treats as ‘Meteorite’, ‘Shine’ and the stonkingly brilliant ‘King’.
It also marks the beginning of the journey towards the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album.
“I want to take people on a wild and wonderful adventure through my dreams to a world that’s very different from our own,” Olly explains about the new direction.
“I’ve been thinking about this place for a long time, a place to tell stories from; about identity, sexuality, celebrity and performance.
“The video for ‘Sanctify’ centres around an audition against the backdrop of a future metropolis called Palo Santo. It’s the first part of a bigger jigsaw puzzle and my hope is that it confuses the hell out of people but also excites them in a mysterious and sensual way.
“We’ve deliberately hidden lots of different meanings and I want people to come up with their own interpretations, I’m asking people to jump down the rabbit hole with me and let their imagination run free.
“The thing I love most about pop music has always been fantasy and escapism so I thought, ‘well I guess I should try and be the pop star I want to see in the world and make the most ambitious and freaky and sexy thing possible’.
“I’m making these videos because I want to let people inside my brain and because I love living in my own fantasy world (always have, always will) – a place where sexuality and gender are blurred and magic is real.
“We live in a chaotic and accelerating world, we’re looking at depictions of the future to help us make sense of what’s happening right now.
“This is my vision of a possible future, one that makes us question what it means to be a human.”
The clip is grand, futuristic, colourful and gives Olly the opportunity to showcase his contemporary dance skills.
Years & Years’ sophomore album is currently expected later in the year.
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