Years & Years - "King"

In June we will be featuring all LGBTQ+ artists in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month

Since Years & Years came on the scene in 2014, Alexander has used pop music (or at least his dark, electro-inspired take on it) as a medium for expressing his sexuality. “Being able to have a platform where I can express my gay self is just really wonderful, and I feel grateful,” he says.

With that platform, Alexander sheds light on others’ gay experiences in addition to his own, and not only through music. In 2017, he released a BBC Documentary, Growing Up Gay, which shed light on mental health issues among LGBTQ youth. As someone who’s struggled with anxiety and depression, the singer worked with a subject close to home.

“[Mental health] is still so heavily stigmatized that I think anything that can be done to break down that barrier and encourage people to talk is a good thing,” he says. “Now I want to inspire other people to be themselves and not be afraid,” he adds.

They’ve been crushing the scene and staying authentically true to who they are. That bravery and courage earns my respect as much as their incredible music does.

So today, with a king in my hand, I choose Years & Years’ “King” as my, control me, live in it, take the space that you’ve made sacred, song for a, press into the discomfort, shine brighter than before, let yourself create new colors to play in, Thursday.