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ALBUM REVIEW: "Go Farther In Lightness" by Gang Of Youths


   Where do you go after penning an hour-long tale of a relationship doomed by terminal cancer and subsequent depression, substance abuse and suicide attempts? The fact that Gang of Youths frontman and songwriter David Le'aupepe had anything left to say - let alone an EP and then a double album epic - in the two years since 2015's beautifully tragic The Positions is quite frankly remarkable. For Go Farther In Lightness to be as compelling and emotionally draining as it is, then, is mind-blowing. The musical well was obviously still rich for Gang of Youths, and they have released a sprawling epic that stands up confidently next to The Positions. Symphonic interludes provide a grand backdrop for the decidedly larger sounding album that also manages to slip in some of the most intimate moments in their already sparkling catalogue. It's this feeling of comprehensiveness - that they have covered all bases - that makes Go Farther In Lightness such a rich and immersive experience. This does turn into an issue I do have, though, which is not quite self-indulgence, but something bordering on a lack of filtering. The Positions introduced us to the band's love for slow building songwriting - similar to LCD Soundsystem, who they have cited as inspiration - and somewhat concisely presented 10 tracks, the shortest of which was over 4 minutes long, most tracks upwards of 5 or 6 minutes. This worked really well as a "short" 10 track epic, contained in its expansiveness. Go Farther In Lightness suffers a little in its length - I did struggle a bit to get through in one go. And maybe it wasn't intended to be consumed in one go - there certainly is lots to unpack and process along the way - but that was one of the immediate feelings I had having finished: "jeez that was long". The thing is, though, I don't really see anything that is obvious filler, so I am hesitant in saying it should have been trimmed down. Rather,Go Farther In Lightness is representative of life after trauma; the vast, sprawling spaces you find outside of the tunnel you were so sure you'd never find your way out of. And for that, Gang of Youths should be taken very seriously.



   Favourite Songs: What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?, Keep Me In The Open, Achilles Come Down and Let Me Down Easy

   Least Favourite Song: Persevere 

   Rating: A

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