Video: Years & Years, ‘Real’

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George Michael was quoted after his arrest in a Beverly Hills public park’s restroom after allegedly being solicited by an undercover cop for some, shall we say. … fun, as saying, “I never was one to turn down a free meal.” As with that event, exactly what is happening in the opening scene of Years & Years’ beautiful video for “Real” in a restroom between lead singer Olly Alexander and actor Ben Wishaw isn’t exactly certain. Also unclear is exactly how Wishaw ended up in these Londonites’ video for their single at all. What is certain, though, is “Real” is an incredibly infectious bit of British garage R&B pop. Years & Years – Alexander along with bassist Mikey Goldsworthy and synth player/beatmaker Emre Turkmen – are releasing the single next week via the French pop label Kitsuné. In the video’s climax, Wishaw really cuts loose on the dance floor, and why not? He has pretty good taste in music.

– Mathew Ward