Olly Alexander was inspired by ABBA’s “weird” songs while writing his new Years & Years album.
The star – who is now the sole member of the pop group – will release his new album ‘Night Call’, featuring lead single Crave, on January 7.
Speaking to Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the hitmaker revealed the Swedish pop icons’ “weird” story arcs in their songs influenced his latest sound.
“Well, you know who was an inspiration in the studio? Well, amongst others, ABBA,” admitted Olly.
“You know how ABBA just take you on a journey? And suddenly there’ll be a shift or a change, and you’re just like, ‘Oh, take me with you.’ So, yeah. They’re so weird.”
The Starstruck singer, who is believed to have contributed to Kylie Minogue’s forthcoming ‘DISCO’ deluxe reissue, also revealed he channelled “slightly deranged sexual energy” into the LP.
“I really wanted to go into this sort of twisted fantasy…” he explained. “Crave is a good example of this slightly deranged sexual energy that kind of became a bit of a Muse, this character that I very much have been at different times, so that’s throughout the record. And I think it’s a little bit more assertive than maybe the previous ones.”
‘Night Call’ is available to pre-order on CD, vinyl and cassette (including limited variants).
