Years & Years and MNEK have broken new ground with their new release, a timely track named ‘Valentino’. The flamenco-inspired song is about former flames who have messed the musicians about in the past.
Years and Years frontman and now a friend of MNEK, Olly Alexander, wrote the song with the Grammy-award winning dance-pop artist Uzoechi Osisioma “Uzo” Emenike, MNEK, last year and have since performed it live on a few of the Years & Years arena tour dates. Olly said: “Uzo and I were inspired to write a song about the many fuck boys who have done us dirty.
“I’m lucky to have a friend like Uzo – somebody I talk to when I’m upset about a boy and working together was basically an extension of us hanging out. Particularly proud of the message it sends across and how “unashamedly gay” the song is, Olly goes on to explain why the song is not quite the norm in regards to other mainstream pop hits.
“I’ve known Uzo for a while now and I’m just in awe of his talent. I hope the lyrics connect with people regardless of their sexuality – we all know a Valentino – but I am so proud of this song for how unashamedly gay it is.
“Two men singing about a boy is still disappointingly uncommon so it makes me very happy to be putting this song out with MNEK.”It’s safe to say the feeling is mutual as MNEK admits to having the “best time” producing the new song and was excited when Olly suggested releasing Valentino in a timely fashion.
MNEK said: “Olly has become a really good friend of mine, so I had the best time not only producing this record but also writing and singing it with him. He invited me to perform the song with him on a few stops of the Years & Years’ tour last year which was amazing. He texted me a few days ago saying, ‘we need to put Valentino out on Valentine’s Day’ so of course, I said, let’s go!”
The video for Valentino has also been launched today which involves the two friends getting over their “fuck boy syndrome” by going on an anti-Valentine’s mission to purge the nefarious ‘Valentino’ character for good. The visuals were shot in Stockholm which was a stop on Years & Years’ European tour and was directed by Olly, Uzo and Jordan Rossi.
Years & Years has also recently released ‘Play’ with Jax Jones which went Top 10 in the UK singles chart ad alongside this has received a nomination for Best British Band at this year’s BRIT Awards. Years & Years are currently bringing their wonderful world of ‘Palo Santo’ to Russia and Ukraine before they head to Asia and South America for a further string of live shows.
Listen to ‘Valentino’ HERE / Watch the video HERE.
