Years & Years Breaks Down Everything That Led To 'Palo Santo' On 'TRL'

Though I've had their new album on repeat all week, Years & Years gave TRL host Sway Calloway the rundown of everything that's led into their long-awaited sophomore album Palo Santo.


Beginning off, the guys recap what led members Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen to find each other in pursuit of beginning a new musical group back in 2010. From then on, Mikey met frontman Olly Alexander, sharing with Sway the hilarious tale of figuring out Olly could sing.


Prior to the release of Palo Santo, the musical group met Rihanna throughout a taping of The Graham Norton Show. Turns out she got an early taste of the album, as Olly gave her the initial printed Palo Santo vinyl. Rihanna's reaction to the gift was just as sweet as you'd expect.


Sway had the Years & Years guys decode the videos they've released for now from Palo Santo, zeroing in on the collar Olly wears while navigating the city of Palo Santo. Olly and Sway had different interpretations of what the collar meant, yet Olly came through with a metaphor, talking about the collar is like an onion with a lot of layers to unpeel.


Palo Santo is inspired in large part by Olly's experience with queer relationships, nevertheless its themes can apply to anyone. Sway asked Olly to give suggestions to straight folks who hope to support their LGBTQ peers, so get Olly's tea on what makes a good straight ally below. TRL airs on weekdays at 8:00am ET.