Polari, the first solo album from Olly Alexander under his own name, is a stunning rebirth and confident reintroduction to the artist. The thirteen songs that make up Polari are not only absolutely stunning, carried by Olly Alexander’s soaring, confident vocals and cinematic synths, but they’re also incredibly personal, capturing the essence of who he is.
Taking inspiration from the (almost) lost art of Polari – the coded, often hilarious language shared between gay men in inter- and post-war Britain – the album serves as a relatable, vulnerable piece of art that absolutely transcends time. Sonically, the album draws influence from the 80’s and 90’s club scene, which means it is not only filled to the brim with banger after banger, but it also feels incredibly timeless. The opening title track really sets the tone of the songs that follow with stunning vocals and in your face synths that’ll immediately demand your full attention. It’s bright, flashy and in your face, and the twelve songs after not only follow suit, but also transport you to a world that is all Olly Alexander.
Throughout Polari, Olly Alexander explores themes of love, sex, communication, exploration and finding one’s self, in songs like “Cupid’s Bow” (“I wanna believe/I wanna trust you”) and “I Know,” (“Cause I know what you are”) and “Beautiful”, which touches on finding true love in lines like, “I can feel your love in every moment” and “With you right beside me/My guiding light”.
Polari is an album that is deserving of several listens to fully sink in. The first few times around, it’ll make you want to dance and bob your head (see songs like “Make Me A Man”, “Dizzy” and “Archangel”). The next few listens, you’ll find yourself really appreciating the stunning songwriting and Olly Alexander’s vocal prowess. But where the album truly shines is in the way it manages to blend songs that you want to dance to with lyrical content that’ll make you feel seen. It’s powerful, emotional, vulnerable and incredibly relatable, and for his first solo release under his own name, Polari is an absolute success from Olly Alexander.