Years & Years: 9 Things You Never Knew About the Chart-Topping Band

The Unlikely Origins of Years & Years

If you think band formation stories are always about childhood friends with guitars, Years & Years might surprise you. Bassist Mikey Goldsworthy and synth wizard Emre Türkmen first connected in a classic 21st-century way: online. That alone isn’t unique in today’s world, but the next twist is. Olly Alexander didn’t join through an audition or industry recommendation—he was heard belting tunes in the shower at a house party. His unexpected discovery brought a unique energy to the mix.

The original lineup actually boasted five members, not the trio we now associate with Years & Years. By 2013, only Mikey, Emre, and Olly remained, setting the stage for the band’s essential character. That same year, they began shaping the sound that later made them a staple on UK radio.

Riding the Wave: Chart Domination and Transformation

Things started to heat up in 2014 when the band scored a deal with Polydor Records. Singles like ‘Take Shelter’ and their early EPs didn’t just gather a niche audience—they actually topped the UK Electronic Charts. But it was ‘King’ in 2015 that really set everything on fire. That song catapulted them to the top of the UK Singles Chart. The momentum carried right into their debut album, Communion, claiming the number one spot and instantly making them one of the biggest UK pop acts of the decade.

They didn’t just stop at one successful album. Their follow-up record, Palo Santo, delivered more memorable tracks like ‘Sanctify’ and ‘If You’re Over Me’, showing the band’s willingness to experiment with both sounds and themes. By 2021, the project had reshaped itself in dramatic fashion. With Mikey and Emre stepping back, Olly Alexander carried the Years & Years banner solo, putting out Night Call in 2022—another UK number one album. But the group stage didn’t last forever. By 2023, Years & Years as a band was officially done.

But here’s the real kicker about them: their sonic palette wasn’t limited to safe pop territory. Olly has cited everyone from Marilyn Manson and Metallica to The Beatles and even old-school country as influences behind their hybrid sound. That wild musical cocktail sets them apart in a pop landscape where acts tend to color inside the lines.

Frontman Olly Alexander brought more than vocals to the group—he came with serious acting chops, starring in the film The Riot Club and popping up on iconic UK TV like Skins. His dual career probably helped pull in some unexpected listeners, too. Even more intriguing is their fanbase: think global pop superstar Katy Perry or Breaking Bad legend Aaron Paul rooting for them. With support from both mainstream fans and the industry, it’s no wonder they racked up accolades, including the BBC Sound of 2015 title and a coveted Brit Award nomination.

Few bands manage to blend quirky beginnings, risky reinventions, and mainstream appeal quite like Years & Years. Their legacy is more than just chart numbers—it’s about attitude, inclusivity, and breaking that pop band mold just when you thought you had them figured out.