Released on Valentine's Day in 2019, the music video for by Years & Years and MNEK is a vibrant "anti-Valentine" anthem that celebrates queer friendship over toxic romance. Directed by Jordan Rossi alongside Olly Alexander and MNEK, the visual provides a stylish, playful guide on how to purge a "nefarious" ex from your life.
Years & Years' 'Valentino' Video, Feat. MNEK: Watch | Billboard
The video begins with a cinematic nod to Sex and the City , as Olly Alexander discovers a sticky note on a massive teddy bear from the titular "Valentino" that reads, "I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me". While Olly is initially devastated, MNEK arrives to shift the energy from heartbreak to empowerment. Years & Years, MNEK - Valentino (Official Video)
A defining feature of the "Valentino" video is its bold, authentic representation. Olly Alexander expressed immense pride in the project for being noting that two men singing specifically about a boy remains rare in mainstream pop.
: Featured on the deluxe edition of the Years & Years album Palo Santo . Released on Valentine's Day in 2019, the music
: Shot in Stockholm during a stop on the Years & Years EU tour.
Together, the two artists engage in a series of cathartic activities designed to "dispose of that piece of trash you called a boyfriend": MNEK: Watch | Billboard The video begins with
The collaboration was an extension of their real-life friendship; the two wrote the track together after bonding over shared experiences with "fuck boys" who had messed them around. By centering their mutual support, the video transforms a story of romantic failure into a victory for queer brotherhood. Production and Context : Jordan Rossi.