Gang of Youths talk easing into a new era on ‘Things Take Time’: “It felt like a proper break with the past”

Gang of Youths frontman David Le’aupepe has spoken to NME about the band’s first new single in four years ‘Things Take Time’ and the “philosophical freedom” that has come with writing new material for the band’s long-awaited fourth studio album.

READ MORE: Gang Of Youths on the cover: “Every artist should be able to tell the the story of their culture and their history” The single marks the band’s first new original material since their acclaimed 2022 album ‘ Angel In Realtime. ’, and marks a significant change of pace.

Rather than returning to the maximalist, big-swinging indie-rock that has shaped their previous albums, ‘Things Take Time’ opts for a refined and jazzy groove that swings atop sparse piano chords and stabs of horns.

As far as comeback singles go, it’s about as subtle and discreet as possible – as if it’s entering through a side door rather than kicking the front gate open.

As Le’aupepe revealed, this has very much been done by design.

“When I wrote this song, I didn’t want too much weighing it down,” the frontman said, speaking to NME while visiting Sydney ahead of performing two sold-out shows at the famed Opera House.

“I wanted the song to feel speedy and light, and we wanted that really groovy and flowing nature to shine through a little bit more.

It felt really good.” ‘Angel In Realtime.’ was given four stars by NME upon its 2022 release, and described as “a triumphant exploration of love and life”.

It led to the biggest shows of the band’s career, including their first-ever headlining arena shows in their native Australia and selling out Brixton Academy in the UK .

After a final show in support of the record at British Summer Time with Lana Del Rey , however, Gang of Youths effectively went dark – save for the late 2023 release of ‘ Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas ’ for the festive season.

“We all live quiet lives,” Le’aupepe told NME.

“We don’t have our own social media, or anything like that.

We’re not interested in the public stuff, and I tend to require a lot of respite from the world.

Having said that, we’re all kind of ready for it again now.