Years & Years, Communion - album review: a slick amalgam of 2014’s sounds that does nothing to excite

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Earlier this year, Years & Years grabbed a gong that has, lately, tended to go to solo warblers rather than bands (only Haim in 2013 buck this trend over the past 10 years). Sadly, the sea-change suggested by that BBC Sound of 2015 victory doesn’t translate to their debut album: a slick amalgam of 2014’s sounds, Communion won’t give fans of Disclosure or Sam Smith much cause for alarm, or anyone else – surely – much cause for excitement.

House-pop and romantic nothings is the pitch, sweetened by Olly Alexander’s boyband-pure voice in case anyone finds house music’s hedonistic rush a bit much.

On the shimmering “Real”, the result is catchy but not unlike trying to eat ice-cream with a fork. There’s little to get a fix on, a problem extended to the indistinct, mellifluous synth-pop of “Shine”; not a Take That cover, though it might as well be.

The lyrics are no more attention-grabbing, their lovelorn pleas betraying none of the dramatic punch you might hope for given Alexander’s background in acting. And while one redeeming factor is a limited reliance on rote balladry, there is a caveat: Sam Smith is probably ogling schmaltzy album low-point “Eyes Shut” for covers treatment.

Years & Years don’t lack pop know-how – Alexander’s falsetto makes light work of “Worship” and “King” – but too often their light touch turns lightweight, even wan. Songs such as “Border” could have been designed for V Festival-goers to retreat to should Clean Bandit get a bit lively. This may well be a big year for them. But the plural “Years” might be stretching it a bit.