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...