Go Farther in Lightness

Go Farther in Lightness is the second studio album by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths. It was released on 18 August 2017 by Mosy Recordings. It debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart and was supported by nationwide tours. Nominated for eight categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, it won four – Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album and Producer of the Year for Gang of Youths and Adrian Breakspear. At the J Awards of 2017, Go Farther in Lightness was nominated for Australian Album of the Year. The album was certified platinum in Australia in 2020.

Go Farther in Lightness
Studio album by
Gang of Youths
Released18 August 2017
RecordedNovember–December 2016[1]
StudioSony Music Studios, Sydney
Genre
Length74:49
Label
Producer
Gang of Youths chronology
Let Me Be Clear
(2016)		 Go Farther in Lightness
(2017)		 MTV Unplugged (Live in Melbourne)
(2018)
Gang of Youths studio album chronology
The Positions
(2015)		 Go Farther in Lightness
(2017)		 Angel in Realtime
(2022)
Singles from Go Farther in Lightness
  1. "What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out?"
    Released: 10 February 2017
  2. "Atlas Drowned"
    Released: 12 May 2017
  3. "Let Me Down Easy"
    Released: 26 May 2017
  4. "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows"
    Released: 9 August 2017

Lyrically, the album explores philosophy, the themes of loss and existentialism, and more broadly, "the human experience in all its bleakness and triumph". At 74 minutes, Go Farther in Lightness is sonically described as "articulate, meticulous, intense rock", and features three string interludes composed by frontman Dave Le'aupepe.

Preceded by four singles – most notably "What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out?" and "Let Me Down Easy", the latter became the band's first top 50 single in Australia and placed at number two on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2017. Notably, three tracks from the album placed in the top ten, a feat only achieved twice before.

Background

In an interview with Richard Kingsmill on Triple J, frontman Dave Le'aupepe described the songwriting process for the upcoming album, saying he "went through a huge year-long writer’s block".[3] He added that he wrote the majority of the tracks during constant touring in the year prior amidst the release of their debut extended play, Let Me Be Clear.[4]

Composition

Lyricism

The themes of Greek mythology recur throughout the record, particularly within "Achilles Come Down", which alludes to the Iliad by Homer and the tragedy of Achilles, "introducing a fictional scenario where the Greek hero is about to take his own life".[5] Referenced in the track's title, Le'aupepe harshly critiques Ayn Rand's 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged in single "Atlas Drowned".[6] Upon its release, the frontman commented on the text's political ideas:

We are now converging upon a moment in history seen before countless times, wherein this philosophy of rational self-interest is conflated with nationalism, badly taped together like Homer Simpson’s football tax return.[6]

Le'aupepe's relationship with his father was a major lyrical inspiration – the frontman wrote "I talk about his magnolia tree. I talk about the frailty in old age he’s experiencing, and missing out on the humanity he’s really starting to demonstrate at this age".[7] Track nine, "Persevere", follows Le'aupepe "having a conversation with the friend who just lost a baby".[8]

Despite its recurring themes of frailty and loss, many outlets noted the life-affirming messages and optimistic tone of "The Heart is a Muscle", "Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane" and closing track "Say Yes to Life". Al Newstead of Triple J concluded Le'aupepe is "no longer roaring and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, but singing like the weight of his emotional baggage is starting to lift".[9]

Production

Reflecting on his influences, particularly Bruce Springsteen, Le'aupepe claims opening track "Fear and Trembling" is "my ham-fisted tribute to "Thunder Road", which is very thinly veiled". Critics also found similarities to the National in "Atlas Drowned".[9] Le'aupepe composed three string interludes for the record as a tribute to his classically-trained father, who raised him on "everyone from Vivaldi to Puccini and Mozart".[9] Track five, "L'imaginaire", is an interpolation of the guitar solo from 1988 song "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses – its melody transitions into the following track.[10] Track 10, "Le symbolique", marks the record's half-way point beginning with an "elegant and moving instrumental", before "suddenly the tempo accelerates, and the energy picks up" to transition into "Let Me Down Easy".[11]

Release

On 6 February 2017, Le'aupepe announced that the album was almost completely finished, set to release in August. Further, he revealed the band would be relocating to London amidst visa complications for band member Jung Kim.[12]

Lead single "What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out?" was released on 10 February 2017 with an accompanying animated music video.[13] They would later perform the song live on Late Night With Seth Meyers in March 2018.[14] Second single "Atlas Drowned" followed on 12 May, alongside the announcement of an Australian tour.[15] On 26 May, "Let Me Down Easy" was released.[16] It became the band's first top 50 single on the ARIA Charts, peaking at number 49. A week before the full album release, fourth single "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" was issued on 9 August, alongside a music video following Le'aupepe as a convict escaping through fields in the early morning.[17]

Promoting the album, Gang of Youths went on an Australian tour from August 2017,[18] and again from May 2018 for the Say Yes to Life Australian and North America tour,[19][20] which saw the band break the Enmore Theatre's venue record for most sold-out shows in a single tour.[21]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Dork
The Music
Rolling Stone Australia

Jaymz Clements of Rolling Stone gave the album five stars, saying it "poetically explores the human experience in all its bleakness and triumph, confusion and clarity, heartbreak and joyousness", and called it "a remarkable odyssey of an album that'll engulf you".[22] Rachel Scarsbrook of Renowned for Sound made similar comments, stating the album "doesn’t fall into the trap of becoming too dark and pitiful, instead there is positivity radiating out of its every fibre".[23] Dork concluded the album is a "poetic and gripping body of work that places Gang of Youths as not just an important band, but an important voice in 2017 and beyond".[24]

Jessica Dale of the Music called the album "something special" and stated "Listen to [it] in its entirety; it is phenomenal and deserves nothing less than that."[25] Stack Magazine said "Each song builds expertly, and tempos sway like tides. Parts will make you throw a defiant fist in the air and in other moments, sombre reflection is only appropriate. [David] Le'aupepe's emotional vocal is each track's initial attraction, but what really shines is the intricate instrumental detail."[26] Triple J called the album "a stirring collection of music that places Gang of Youths another rank higher in the echelons of Aussie rock bands".[27]

Accolades
List of appearances on year-end, decade-end and all-time lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
Double J 50 Best Albums of 2017
40
 [28]
Junkee 50 Best Australian Albums Of The Decade
–
 [29]
Livewire Best Albums of the Decade
–
 [30]
Rolling Stone Australia 50 Best Albums of 2017
3
 [31]
200 Greatest Australian Albums of All Time
121
 [32]
Sputnikmusic Top 50 Albums of 2017
8
 [33]
Top 100 Albums of the 2010s
24
 [34]
The Sydney Morning Herald Top 20 Albums of 2017
–
 [35]
Triple J Listeners Album Poll
1
 [36]
Uproxx Best Albums Of 2017
16
 [37]

Legacy

Three of the album's tracks featured in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2017, all in the top ten – peaking at number two with "Let Me Down Easy", followed by "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" at number five and "What Can I Do if the Fire Goes Out?" at number ten. The only other artists to have achieved this feat previously are Powderfinger in 2003 and Chet Faker in 2014.[38] Further, three more tracks featured in the Hottest 200 the following day – "The Heart is a Muscle" at 126, and "Say Yes to Life" and "Fear and Trembling" at 175 and 176 respectively.

Go Farther in Lightness has not left the ARIA Australian Albums Chart since its debut in 2017, and has featured in numerous end-of-year top album lists.[39] The album was certified platinum in Australia in 2020, having sold over 70 thousand copies.[40]

In 2020, two of the album's tracks featured in the Triple J Hottest 100 of the Decade – "Let Me Down Easy" at number 19 and "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" at number 52.[41]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by David Le'aupepe.[7]

  1. "Fear and Trembling" – 6:03
  2. "What Can I Do if the Fire Goes Out?" – 4:56
  3. "Atlas Drowned" – 4:31
  4. "Keep Me In the Open" – 5:57
  5. "L'imaginaire" – 1:30
  6. "Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane" – 7:33
  7. "Go Farther in Lightness" – 1:48
  8. "Achilles Come Down" – 7:02
  9. "Persevere" – 4:33
  10. "Le symbolique" – 3:51
  11. "Let Me Down Easy" – 5:19
  12. "The Heart Is a Muscle" – 5:24
  13. "Le réel" – 2:22
  14. "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" – 5:52
  15. "Our Time Is Short" – 5:17
  16. "Say Yes to Life" – 5:13

Notes

  • Physical versions of this album only list 12 tracks and label the four interludes "L'imaginaire", "Go Farther in Lightness", "Le symbolique" and "Le réel" in roman numerals.

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes.

Gang of Youths

  • David Le'aupepe – writing, lead vocals, engineering, string arrangements, horn arrangements, piano, guitar
  • Joji Malani – horn arrangements, lead guitar
  • Max Dunn – bass
  • Jung Kim – guitar, keyboards
  • Donnie Berzestowski – drums

Additional musicians

  • Justin Kearin – horn arrangements, trombone
  • Darryl Carthew – horn arrangements, trumpet
  • Dave Andrew – piano, keyboard
  • Emma Jardine – violin
  • Thibaud Hobba – violin
  • Ella Jamieson – cello
  • Mee Na Lojewski – cello
  • Leah Zweck – string contractor
  • Tulele Faletolu – backing vocals
  • Kris Hodge – backing vocals
  • Gloria Mati – backing vocals
  • Dee Uluirewa – backing vocals

Technical

  • Peter Katis – mixing (1–4, 6, 9, 11–12, 14, 16)
  • Adrian Breakspear – producer, mixing (5, 7–8, 10, 13, 15), engineering
  • Peter Holz – engineering
  • Lewis Mitchell – engineering
  • Josh Pearson – assistant
  • Joe Lambert – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[42] 1

Year-end charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Year Position
2017[43] 44
2018[44] 39
2019[45] 29
2020[46] 39
2021[47] 24
2022[48] 28

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] Platinum 70,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release history for Go Farther in Lightness
Region Date Format Label Catalogue Ref.
Australia 18 August 2017
Mosy Recordings / Sony Music Australia 88985442992 [50][51]
7 September 2017 LP Sony Music Australia 88985443011 [52]

See also

References
  1. "Gang Of Youths - Go Farther In Lightness". ABC. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  2. "Go Farther in Lightness - Gang of Youths | Songs, Reviews, Credits".
  3. "Gang Of Youths announce they've got a new album - and they're moving to London". Tone Deaf. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  4. "Gang Of Youths Announce New Album 'Go Farther In Lightness'". Music Feeds. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. Gordon, Cat (23 March 2021). "Gang of Youths' Hidden Masterpiece: "Achilles Come Down"". The Carolinian. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  6. "Gang of Youths are Back and Angry in Their New Single – Atlas Drowned". Savage Thrills. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  7. Young, David (22 August 2017). "Gang Of Youths' David Le'aupepe on bringing philosophy to pop music and putting their lives on the line". The Brag. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  8. Andrews, Travis (21 December 2018). "Meet Gang of Youths, the hell-raising rock band whose songs grapple with God". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  9. Newstead, Al (17 August 2017). "Have Gang of Youths reached new heights on their second album?". Triple J. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  10. Cohen, Ian (5 July 2018). "Are Gang Of Youths Too Earnest For America?". Stereogum. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  11. Yung, Ben (21 August 2017). "Gang of Youths – 'Go Farther in Lightness'". The Revue. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  12. "Hear Gang Of Youths' Epic New Single 'What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?'". Music Feeds. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  13. Williams, Tom (9 February 2017). "Hear Gang Of Youths' Epic New Single 'What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  14. Davino, Bianca (13 March 2018). "Watch Gang Of Youths' triumphant 'Late Night With Seth Meyers' debut". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  15. Williams, Tom (12 May 2017). "Hear Gang Of Youths' Political New Single 'Atlas Drowned'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  16. Williams, Tom (26 May 2017). "Gang Of Youths Release Another New Song, 'Let Me Down Easy'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  17. Mack, Emmy (9 August 2017). "Behold The Glory Of Gang Of Youths' New Single 'The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  18. Matt (30 December 2018). "Gang of Youths at The Tivoli in Brisbane on August 31, 2017 – Deepest Sighs - Gang of Youths fan site". Deepest Sighs. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  19. Williams, Tom (29 May 2018). "Gang Of Youths Announce 2018 'Say Yes To Life' National Tour". Music Feeds. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  20. "GANG OF YOUTHS HEADLINE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR STARTS NEXT WEEK". Elicit Magazine. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  21. Dale, Jessica (21 November 2018). "Gang Of Youths Break Venue Records With Current Tour: 'It's All About The People'". The Music. Retrieved 12 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. Clements, Jaymz (17 August 2017). "Gang of Youths - Go Father in Lightness". Rolling Stone Australia. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  23. Scarsbrook, Rachel. "Album Review: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness – Renowned For Sound". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  24. "Gang of Youths - Go Farther In Lightness". Dork. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  25. Dale, Jessica (27 December 2019). "Did Gang Of Youths Release The Album Of The Decade With 'Go Farther In Lightness'?". The Music. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  26. "Gang of Youths, 'Go Farther in Lightness' review". Stack. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  27. "Gang Of Youths - Go Farther In Lightness". triple j. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  28. "The 50 best albums of 2017". Double J. 3 December 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  29. Young, David James (29 January 2023). "The 50 Best Australian Albums Of The Decade". Junkee. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  30. "Best Albums of the Decade". Livewire. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  31. "Rolling Stone Australia's 50 Best Albums of 2017". Album of The Year. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  32. Brancatisano, Gloria (29 January 2023). "Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Australian Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  33. Spencer, Trey (22 December 2017). "Staff's Top 50 Albums of 2017: 10 – 1". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  34. Sowing (9 April 2020). "Top 100 Albums of the 2010s: #30-11". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  35. Mathieson, Craig (14 December 2017). "Top 20 albums of 2017: From proven stars to those starting out". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  36. Newstead, Al (11 December 2017). "Gang of Youths tops Triple J listeners Album Poll". Triple J. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  37. "The 50 Best Albums Of 2017, Ranked". Uproxx. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  38. Bruce, Dave (27 January 2018). "GANG OF YOUTHS clean up at this year's TRIPLE J'S HOTTEST 100". Amnplify. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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  40. "ARIA Accreditations Documents" (PDF). Dropbox. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  41. Matt (14 March 2020). "Gang of Youths Gets 3 Songs in Triple J's Hottest 100 of the Decade; "Magnolia" at No. 6 – Deepest Sighs - Gang of Youths fan site". Deepest Sighs. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  42. "Australiancharts.com – Gang of Youths – Go Farther in Lightness". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  43. "ARIA End of Year Albums 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  44. "ARIA End of Year Albums 2018". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  45. "ARIA Top 50 Australian Albums for 2019". ARIA. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  46. "ARIA Top 50 Australian Albums for 2020". ARIA. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  47. "ARIA Top 50 Australian Albums for 2021". ARIA. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  48. "ARIA Top 50 Australian Artist Albums Chart". ARIA. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  49. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  50. "Go Farther in Lightness | JB Hi-Fi". JB Hi-Fi. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  51. "Go Farther in Lightness by Gang of Youths on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  52. "Go Farther in Lightness (Limited JB Hi-Fi Exclusive 180gm Clear with Red Marbling Vinyl)". JB Hi-Fi. 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
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