Olly Alexander recently announced Polari, his first album under his own name after a stellar discography as Years & Years. Ahead of the project’s Feb. 7 release, the music video for official lead single “Cupid’s Bow” is out now.
“Cupid’s Bow” premiered this month to great fanfare. Created in partnership with producer Danny L Harle, the track combines pulsing electro production and addictive pop songwriting with bite. Directed by Colin Solal Cardo, who also helmed the visual for prior Polari track “Dizzy,” finds Alexander flashing his archery skills in character as Cupid, who strikes up a romantic connection with Archangel.
“Cupid is alone until Archangel arrives in a red car, have these two met before? Exchanging more than just glances, this 3 minute video sees our heroes grapple with passion amidst a wrecked studio backlot,” Alexander wrote about the clip on social media, inviting viewers to ponder “who is pursuing who in this fateful tête à tête.”
Polari is billed as an audiovisual world, which even includes a short play written by Alexander. The album is named for coded slang language used by homosexuals and other stigmatized people during the 20th century, which emerged from Europe and the Romani community as far back as the 1600s. Alexander first encountered the concept when he came out, and he developed a deeper interest in it when starring as Richie in the TV miniseries It’s A Sin. He and Harle were inspired by ‘80s club music when developing the sound of the album, which explores deep human desires such as love, belonging, and connection.
Listen to Olly Alexander’s “Cupid’s Bow” now.
