Palo Santo (Years & Years album)
Updated: 12/20/2025, 12:10:41 PM Wikipedia source
Palo Santo is the second studio album by the English electronic trio Years & Years, released by Polydor Records on 6 July 2018. Executive produced by the band, it is the follow-up to their debut album Communion (2015). After the success of their Communion, the trio felt pressured in making their sophomore record. Influenced by religion and spirituality, lead singer and principal songwriter Olly Alexander wanted to connect religious transcendence to pop music after perceiving parallels between a church's sense of belonging and gay nightclubs. The trio met with frequent and new collaborators such as Mark Ralph, Greg Kurstin, Steve Mac and Jesse Shatkin to produce most its tracks. Named after the South American "palo santo" (Spanish for "holy wood"), which was commonly used to fend off bad spirits, though Alexander used its name as a dick joke referring to men he knew, it is the group's last album as a trio. Palo Santo is a concept album, set in the titular fictional world, where traditional rules regarding gender and sexuality are nonexistent. Its lyrical content deals with "the murky, complicated side" of desire, as well as the connection between religion and carnality, using religious iconography in dealing with themes of sexuality, queerness and guilt. Its visual imagery took inspirations from science fiction and technology where androids yearn to experience emotion. Sonically, the album is a dance-pop and electropop record influenced by 1990s pop and R&B music. Palo Santo's release was accompanied by a short film of the same name. Its promotional campaign features a single aesthetic of a dystopian future in Palo Santo, both of which were prominently used for the album and its accompanying film. Upon its release, Palo Santo received widespread praise from music critics, some of whom lauded its deeper emotional resonance compared to its predecessor, Alexander's refusal to embrace moral didacticism and his vibrant display of character. Commercially, the album debuted at number three the UK Albums Chart and became the band's second album to top the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Five singles were released from the album: "Sanctify", "If You're Over Me", "All for You", "Play" and "Valentino" with "Sanctify", "If You're Over Me" and "Play" making the top forty on the UK Singles Chart, and "If You're Over Me" and "Play" became top ten hits. The trio supported the album with the Palo Santo Tour, which commenced in October 2018 in North America and ended in June 2019 in England.
Infobox
Released
6 July 2018
Recorded
2016–2018
Genre
Dance-pop electropop
Length
36:49
Label
Polydor
Producer
Years & Years Clarence Coffee Jr. John Foyle Grades Kid Harpoon Greg Kurstin Steve Mac Mark Ralph Jesse Shatkin Two Inch Punch MNEK
Tables
Professional ratings · Reception › Critical response
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
AnyDecentMusic?
AnyDecentMusic?
Aggregate scores
AnyDecentMusic?
Aggregate scores
7.9/10
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
81/100
Review scores
Review scores
Aggregate scores
Review scores
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
DIY
DIY
Aggregate scores
DIY
Aggregate scores
The Guardian
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
The Independent
The Independent
Aggregate scores
The Independent
Aggregate scores
The Line of Best Fit
The Line of Best Fit
Aggregate scores
The Line of Best Fit
Aggregate scores
9/10
Mojo
Mojo
Aggregate scores
Mojo
Aggregate scores
NME
NME
Aggregate scores
NME
Aggregate scores
The Observer
The Observer
Aggregate scores
The Observer
Aggregate scores
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
6.5/10
Q
Q
Aggregate scores
Q
Aggregate scores
Uncut
Uncut
Aggregate scores
Uncut
Aggregate scores
| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.9/10 |
| Metacritic | 81/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| DIY | |
| The Guardian | |
| The Independent | |
| The Line of Best Fit | 9/10 |
| Mojo | |
| NME | |
| The Observer | |
| Pitchfork | 6.5/10 |
| Q | |
| Uncut | |
· Charts › Weekly charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2018)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Peak position
26
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2018)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peak position
50
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2018)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Peak position
6
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2018)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Peak position
25
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2018)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Peak position
52
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Chart (2018)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Peak position
22
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (2018)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peak position
14
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Chart (2018)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Peak position
18
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2018)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peak position
27
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Chart (2018)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Peak position
35
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Chart (2018)
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Peak position
7
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (2018)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Peak position
139
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (2018)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peak position
13
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Chart (2018)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Peak position
22
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2018)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peak position
3
South Korean Albums (Gaon)
South Korean Albums (Gaon)
Chart (2018)
South Korean Albums (Gaon)
Peak position
61
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Chart (2018)
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Peak position
68
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2018)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peak position
38
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2018)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peak position
15
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (2018)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peak position
3
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (2018)
US Billboard 200
Peak position
75
US Top Dance Albums (Billboard)
US Top Dance Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2018)
US Top Dance Albums (Billboard)
Peak position
1
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 26 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 50 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 6 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 25 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 52 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) | 22 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 14 |
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) | 18 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 27 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) | 35 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA) | 7 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 139 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 13 |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV) | 22 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 3 |
| South Korean Albums (Gaon) | 61 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) | 68 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 38 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 15 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 3 |
| US Billboard 200 | 75 |
| US Top Dance Albums (Billboard) | 1 |
· Charts › Year-end charts
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2018)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Position
110
| Chart (2018) | Position |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 110 |
· Certifications
Poland (ZPAV)
Poland (ZPAV)
Region
Poland (ZPAV)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
100,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Poland (ZPAV) | Gold | 10,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
List of regions and release dates, showing formats, labels, catalog number and references · Release history
Various
Various
Region
Various
Date
6 July 2018
Formats
Cassette
CD
digital download
2×LP
streaming
Label
Polydor
Catalog number
6751650
2×LP
Urban Outfitters-exclusive 2×LP
2×LP
Urban Outfitters-exclusive 2×LP
Region
2×LP
Urban Outfitters-exclusive 2×LP
Date
Polydor
Interscope
Formats
6754733
Japan
Japan
Region
Japan
Date
13 July 2018
Formats
Japanese edition CD
Label
Universal Music Japan
Catalog number
UICP-1182
Brazil
Brazil
Region
Brazil
Date
27 July 2018
Formats
CD
Label
Universal Music
Catalog number
602567516484
Various
Various
Region
Various
Date
29 November 2018
Formats
Digital downloadstreaming
Label
Polydor
Catalog number
B07KRTGPFR
| Region | Date | Formats | Label | Catalog number | Ref. |
| Various | 6 July 2018 | Cassette CD digital download 2×LP streaming | Polydor | 6751650 | |
| 2×LP Urban Outfitters-exclusive 2×LP | Polydor Interscope | 6754733 | |||
| Japan | 13 July 2018 | Japanese edition CD | Universal Music Japan | UICP-1182 | |
| Brazil | 27 July 2018 | CD | Universal Music | 602567516484 | |
| Various | 29 November 2018 | Digital downloadstreaming | Polydor | B07KRTGPFR |
References
- PSEN stands for the Palo Santo Entertainment Network, a promotional campaign created for a cohesive aesthetic in the wor
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/music/years-years-to-continue-as-solo-project-for-olly-alexander-2903256
- Newsdayhttps://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/palo-santo-review-1.19571504
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/media/podcasts/billboard-pop-shop-podcast-years-and-years-olly-alexander-interview-sanctify-8284596/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/05/years-years-palo-santo-review-sex-sin-and-electropop-salvation
- Dazedhttp://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/39339/1/years-and-years-olly-alexander-sanctify-interview
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/years-and-years-palo-santo-new-album-review-olly-alexander-songs-tracklist-a8430836.html
- The Observerhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/08/years-years-palo-santo-review-olly-alexander
- Pitchforkhttps://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/years-and-years-palo-santo/
- DIYhttp://diymag.com/2018/04/27/let-it-burn-years-and-years-palo-santo-cover-feature-olly-alexander
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8463110/years-and-years-all-for-you-new-single
- The Official Vodafone Big Top 40http://www.bigtop40.com/news/years-and-years-palo-santo-new-album/
- Radio.comhttps://www.radio.com/blogs/exclusive-years-years-give-inside-scoop-palo-santo
- Stereogumhttps://www.stereogum.com/2003738/years-years-all-for-you/music/
- Financial Timeshttps://www.ft.com/content/772568f0-8031-11e8-bc55-50daf11b720d
- Stereogumhttps://www.stereogum.com/2004309/years-years-palo-santo-review/franchises/album-of-the-week/
- Spinhttps://www.spin.com/2018/07/years-years-tentative-palo-santo-is-an-unsatisfying-follow-up/
- Palo Santo
- Hot Presshttps://www.hotpress.com/Years--Years/music/reviews/albums/Album-Review-Years-and-Years-Palo-Santo/22645315.html
- Pitchforkhttps://pitchfork.com/news/years-and-years-debut-new-song-in-baz-luhrmann-directed-short-film-watch/
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/music/years-years-share-new-track-if-youre-over-me-2311566
- "パロ・サント イヤーズ＆イヤーズ"https://www.universal-music.co.jp/years-and-years/products/uicp-1182/
- "Years & Years – Palo Santo LP"https://web.archive.org/web/20210512164303/https://store.universalmusic.com/yearsandyears/*/Music/Palo-Santo-LP/5U8U0HP6000
- "Years & Years Share Visual For 'All For You'"http://machinemanagement.co.uk/news/years-years-share-visual-for-all-for-you
- "Palo Santo Messenger bot kicks off Years & Years album campaign"http://musically.com/2018/03/06/palo-santo-messenger-bot-kicks-off-years-years-album-campaign/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8236301/years-and-years-sanctify-video
- Hitshttp://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=310915
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8455409/years-and-years-if-youre-over-me-new-song
- "Official Irish Singles Chart: 13 July 2018"http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20180713/ie7501/
- "Official UK Top 40 Singles Chart: 13 July 2018"http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/uk-top-40-singles-chart/20180713/750140/
- DIYhttp://diymag.com/2018/06/22/years-and-years-palo-santo-title-track-listen
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8464143/years-and-years-all-for-you-video-phone-number
- "Years & Years Perform Sell-Out Show at Roundhouse"http://machinemanagement.co.uk/news/years-years-perform-sell-show-roundhouse
- MusicLinkUp.comhttps://musiclinkup.com/pulse/2306/years-&-years-announce-fall-dates-for-north-american-'palo-santo'-tour
- "Years & Years – Sanctify"https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p063kfnm
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/pop/years-and-years-perform-if-youre-over-me-seth-meyers-video-8462822/
- "Years & Years – If You're Over Me"https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p067wqmq
- "Years & Years Perform Live on Graham Norton"http://machinemanagement.co.uk/news/years-years-perform-on-graham-norton
- "Years & Years Owned The #CapitalSTB Stage with a Memorable Performance of Their Biggest & Best Hits"http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/years-and-years/summertime-ball-2018-set-list/
- "Palo Santo [Explicit] by Years & Years on Amazon Music"https://www.amazon.com/Palo-Santo-Explicit-Years/dp/B07KRTGPFR/
- Dazedhttp://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/40630/1/years-and-years-palo-santo-short-film-starring-judi-dench-ben-whishaw
- "Years & Years Release Album And Short Film 'Palo Santo'"http://machinemanagement.co.uk/news/years-years-release-album-and-short-film-palo-santo
- "Years & Years – Palo Santo"http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/9437/Years--Years-Palo-Santo.aspx
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/music/palo-santo/years-years
- DIYhttp://diymag.com/2018/07/06/years-years-palo-santo-album-review
- The Line of Best Fithttps://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/years-years-palo-santo-album-review
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/reviews/review/2350884
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/pro/years-and-years-north-american-palo-santo-tour-dates/
- Music Weekhttp://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-three-lions-scores-again-on-singles-chart/073168
- Music Weekhttp://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/international-charts-analysis-drake-s-world-domination-continues/073173
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8466406/billboard-200-chart-moves-taylor-swifts-reputation-gets-tour-fueled-boost
- RockYourLyrics.comhttps://rockyourlyrics.com/years-years-share-new-track-album-namesake-palo-santo/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/pro/years-years-palo-santo-top-danceelectronic-albums-chart-number-one/
- "Years & Years – Palo Santo Clear Red LP"https://web.archive.org/web/20210512163316/https://store.universalmusic.com/yearsandyears/*/Music/Palo-Santo-Clear-Red-LP/5U8W0HP6000
- "Palo Santo by Years & Years on Apple Music"https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103329/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/palo-santo/1442633459
- "Australiancharts.com – Years & Years – Palo Santo". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Austriancharts.at – Years & Years – Palo Santo" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Ultratop.be – Years & Years – Palo Santo" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Ultratop.be – Years & Years – Palo Santo" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Years Years Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Years-Years/chart-history/CNA
- "Danishcharts.dk – Years & Years – Palo Santo". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://danishcharts.dk/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Years & Years – Palo Santo" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Years & Years: Palo Santo" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/Years+%26+Years/Palo+Santo
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Years & Years – Palo Santo" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-362380
- "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2018. 28. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista/2018/28
- "Irish-charts.com – Discography Years & Years". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.http://www.irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years
- "Years & Years"https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/608922/products/1277178/1/
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Years & Years – Palo Santo". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Rhttp://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=1150&lang=en
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20180713/40/
- "Album Chart – 2018.07.15~2018.07.21"http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=29&hitYear=2018&termGbn=week
- "Spanishcharts.com – Years & Years – Palo Santo". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Swedishcharts.com – Years & Years – Palo Santo". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Swisscharts.com – Years & Years – Palo Santo". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2018.http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Years+%26+Years&titel=Palo+Santo&cat=a
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20180713/7502/
- "Years Years Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Years-Years/chart-history/TLP
- "Years Years Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2018.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Years-Years/chart-history/ELP
- "Jaaroverzichten 2018"http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2018&cat=a
- "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień"https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-wyroznien
- "British album certifications – Years & Years – Palo Santo"https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/15357-4008-2
- "Years & Years - Palo Santo (CD)"https://web.archive.org/web/20180723104342/http://livraria.folha.com.br/cds/pop-internacional/years-years-palo-santo-cd-1390959.html
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/music/years-years-announce-massive-uk-arena-tour-2340293