MUSIC: Years & Years, Jonsi, more

YEARS & YEARS – NIGHT CALL There’s a lot riding on the third album from Years & Years, now reduced to just Olly Alexander. Their 2015 debut, Communion, was an immaculate confection with hits King and Desire announcing a big new pop act. Sadly, 2018’s follow-up Palo Santo, was a not-so-hot mess and the then-trio parted ways, leaving Olly to create a third album on his own. You may have already heard Star Struck, which is a decent enough pop bop, but the good news is that this is a return to the superlative form of their debut. The title track sounds like an instant hit, Sweet Talker (“you’re the man of my dreams”) is the big gay pop hit we’ve been hoping for, while bittersweet See You Again gives Troye Sivan a run for his money. If you’re after Y&Ys’ recent Kylie collabs they’ll both on the deluxe edition.

This is a return to t he superlative form of t heir debut…

DONATACHI – DONATCHI.COM Non-binary Sydney producer Donatachi is one of the leading lights of “hyperpop” and on their new seven-track EP, cutely titled Donatchi.com, they certainly deliver on all that hype(r). Leading off with Cry, best described as Tones And I stuck in a bubblegum-f lavoured techno time machine, this is perfect for your next high impact cardio workout, long distance road trip, or next kitchen disco between Netf lix binges. The EP’s first single, Pisces Rising, featuring Chymes, has a more languid paced pop bop that sounds like the coolest beach tune you’ll hear all Southern Hemisphere summer. “I’ve put more of myself into this than anything I’ve ever done before,” they declared to DNA.

ANTHONY HUGHES – DON’T TRY This 29-year-old gay singer/ songwriter from London is looking to make a splash in 2022. After featuring on CYRS’s track Zone he independently released My Thing and Out The Other Side, both of which garnered acclaim and attention, even in the middle of a pandemic. Now, with Don’t Try, Ant is ready to break out big with the meaty, beaty tale of starcrossed lovers in collaboration with producer Fhalla. That he also has one of the sexiest voices you’re likely to hear in LGBTQIA+ pop is a bonus. Check out the video for Don’t Try, too, in which he truly smoulders for the camera. Just try and take your eyes off him!

SHELDON RILEY – AGAIN If you prefer your pop music with a dark, almost sinister edge, then 22-year-old Sheldon Riley might be the artist you need in your life. Again – which travels somewhere between Sia and FKA Twigs – is a confessional about self-sabotage and personal torment, but with Sheldon’s powerhouse voice it becomes dramatic, affecting and instantly memorable. “I’m an artist who writes music about resolving pain, finding strength and confessing heartache,” Sheldon tells DNA. “I wrote this song at a time where everything was going so great. I was working on myself, putting hurt behind me and found myself on a supported path where, for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of control.”

JONSI – OBSIDIAN Jónsi’s last album, Shiver, was only released last year, so he’s certainly been putting his lockdown time to good use up in Iceland. Obsidian comes almost exactly a year later and already previewed by the genre-defying Salt Licorice featuring Robyn. Its haunting follow-up single, with the gloriously damp title of Mold, comes complete with one of the most beautiful and esoteric gay videos we’ve ever seen. Because Jónsi is not your everyday Scandi pop star, he’s also created a whole visual Obsidian album (all very cinematic, windswept and eery) which you can watch for free and at your leisure on YouTube. FYI: obsidian is a type of glasslike volcanic rock as seen on the album’s cover. Now you know!

D N A S A M P L E S . . . AGNES

C A R LSSON

The Swedish pop star is back with her new album, Magic Stills Exists, spearheading a “spiritual disco” movement. Interview by Marc Andrews.

DNA: We hear you’re in a bit of a mess, but an exciting one! Agnes Carlsson: Yes, I’m building a house! Because making a new record is not enough? Exactly. The process is pretty similar in a weird way. We love your new album Magic Still Exists – it’s that sweet spot between Donna Summer and Daft Punk! Thank you so much. It means a lot to hear that. I’m happy how everything has come together. Things I’d written years ago and things I was thinking about then are on the album. That’s very satisfying.

We love your new album – it’s that sweet spot bet ween Donna Summer and Daft Punk!

There’s also some important messages and interludes included. Some of the songs have a lot going on and a lot of energy, so it was important to slow it down and get in all the spiritual thoughts. It was important to have those on the album. The album has been described as “spiritual disco”. Are you happy about that? [Laughs] Actually, I am! I love spiritual disco – it sounds amazing. What were you doing away for so long – your last big hit was Release Me in 2009? I took a break when I was 26 because I started out when I was 16. I was exhausted and didn’t know what I wanted to do or be. The time off was about doing other things – travelling, not writing music under pressure, and I also did singing bowls. Erm… do you mean gong meditation? Yes. The first time I experienced it was in Mexico and, at first, I didn’t hear the sound I just felt the vibrations and was like, “What is this?” I went back to Sweden and did a course and it gave me so much. You have a whole new career ahead of you as a spiritual disco gong master! [Laughs] We’ll see! You’ve also created a very striking visual look for your record. I love to be creative with my looks. If you check my Instagram a part of me is in drag and I love to experiment, as I do with the music. I had the vision of the silhouette in my head and wanted it to be very sharp. If you look at the picture once you remember it. I wanted it to feel like it’s a new era and wanted everything to feel fresh. We can’t wait to see drag queens performing as you to the new songs? There are many pictures of people making their own amazing wigs – better than the original picture of me! [Laughs] Are you aware you have a gay cult following? During Release Me I did a lot of gay clubs and festivals and it was such a big moment for me because there is so much love in that community. Everyone goes through different struggles in life and this album, for me, is about trying to understand myself and those struggles and a lot of people in the gay community connect with that. Any “spiritual disco” messages for the readers of DNA? It’s important to stay inspired and stay creative. If you don’t know where you’re going, try to get inspired by different things. I didn’t think gong meditation was going to be a big thing… but it was!

MORE: Magic Still Exists is released through Universal Music. For more, find Agnes on Facebook, Instagram (Agnesofficial)

AGNES ON AVICCI

“My husband Vincent co-wrote his single Tough Love. After he died, his parents wanted me and Vincent to sing it and release it. We’d never thought it, but when they asked us it felt like a beautiful thing to do.”