Gang of Youths Embrace a New Era with ‘Things Take Time’: “It Felt Like a Proper Break With the Past”

Gang of Youths reveal the fresh, jazzy vibe of ‘Things Take Time’ and the philosophical freedom it brought for their new musical chapter.

Gang of Youths’ frontman David Le’aupepe recently opened up about the band’s exciting return with their new single, Things Take Time, their first piece of original material in four years. The song signals not just a comeback but a deliberate step into a different soundscape, one that’s smoother, jazzier, and more reflective of the band’s evolving artistic journey.

Gang Of Youths, 2026. Credit: Cal McIntyre

A Subtle Return Through a Side Door

Rather than storming back with the bombastic indie rock energy that defined their earlier work, Things Take Time eases listeners into a more understated groove. It’s a refined blend of jazzy rhythms, sparse piano chords, and soulful horn stabs that create a “speedy and light” feel—a direction the band carefully chose to reflect their current state of mind.

Le’aupepe explains, “When I wrote this song, I didn’t want too much weighing it down. 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.”

This shift is palpable, especially for fans who’ve followed their progression since the 2022 release of Angel In Realtime. That album earned acclaim for its expansive indie rock sound and deeply personal storytelling, paving the way for the band’s first arena-level shows. Yet after a whirlwind tour that culminated in a final performance at British Summer Time alongside Lana Del Rey, the band retreated from the spotlight.

Quiet Lives, Big Breaks

In a world where social media noise often drowns out music’s subtleties, Gang of Youths have chosen a more private path. Le’aupepe shares, “We all live quiet lives. 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.”

Yet after this much-needed pause, the spark of creativity is lit again. The excitement bubbling beneath the surface is almost palpable as the band prepares to share their fresh sound and new stories with fans.

Gang Of Youths, 2026. Credit: Cal McIntyre

The Birth of ‘Things Take Time’

Why did this particular track emerge first, you might wonder? Le’aupepe offers a playful insight: “The powers that be chose it – probably because it’s the shortest one! It’s a three-minute song, which is miraculous for a band like ours. It’s also a pop song, which is a form I’ve not really dabbled in much."

Writing ‘Things Take Time’ was a liberating experience for David. For a band known for emotional intensity and grand vocal expressions, this song allowed him to explore a lighter vocal performance. “I’m actually singing for once, too. I haven’t really allowed my voice to be free like this before.”

The song also represents a conscious break from their past. “It felt like a proper break with the past – and we were OK with that. We’ve achieved great things in the past, and we’re proud of it, but this is the thread we’re following now musically. I was delighted by that.”

Lyrics Rooted in Life’s Simple Cycles

The inspiration behind the song’s lyrics strikes a charmingly domestic note. “It’s about growing plants. My wife ordered too many tomato seeds, so she went to work growing all of these tomatoes in our house. I go over to record with Tom [Hobden, the band’s multi-instrumentalist] at his home studio, and that overlooks his back garden. His wife Emma grows all these beautiful plants in the yard. It got me fascinated with the cycle of growth and death, and being baffled that people can grow things without killing them.”

This meditation on life’s constant rhythms of birth, death, and rebirth is no stranger to the band’s themes. Le’aupepe notes, “Death and rebirth are a constant part of our subject matter. We’re always dealing with them in one way or another, so it’s kind of weird that we almost accidentally continued it – even though the song is so different for us.”

Gang of Youths perform at O2 Academy Brixton in 2022, showcasing their dynamic stage presence.

Crafting a New Musical Identity

The musical shift to a jazz-inflected, groovy style didn’t come out of nowhere. “I came in with the idea one night after dinner, and played the little riff. Recorded it, played a drum part, recorded that, got Donnie [Borzestowski] to redo it, and voilà. You hear all of us at work on this song,” Le’aupepe recalls.

Tom Hobden’s suggestion to add horns to mimic the vocal riff added to the song’s jazzy flair. Donnie’s drumming skills, well-suited to this groove-heavy style, rounded out the track’s distinct feel. Meanwhile, guitarist/keyboardist Jung Kim’s meticulous approach ensured every note found its perfect place.

“Nothing came easily, but everything just made sense,” David reflects, highlighting the band’s collective chemistry in this new creative process.

Facing the End to Spark New Beginnings

After Angel In Realtime, Gang of Youths went silent for a while, leading to questions about the band's future. Le’aupepe admits, “Of course (I thought the band was over). That happens after every album we’ve made. I sit there at the end saying ‘I’m done’, and then enough time passes and I’m up like Leo [DiCaprio] in The Wolf of Wall Street: ‘I’m not fucking leaving!’”

The arena-rock phase now feels like a closed chapter. “If we came back trying to be an arena-rock band? Snoozy as fuck. We’re not in that place anymore. Those songs from ‘Angel’ are everyone else’s now. They don’t really play a role in my day-to-day life, or my inner world.”

With Things Take Time, Le’aupepe embraces a creative freedom that steps away from the heavy, personal narratives of previous work. “It’s a philosophical freedom from having to write about personal shit. I had to break this cycle of feeling like I have to make opuses that dig into the underbelly of my life every single time.”

Observation Over Emotion

The songwriting approach is evolving. “The writing now is less and less about trying to find things within myself to deal with, and more and more about things that I notice and that I contemplate. The new songs are, more often than not, about something I’ve observed rather than something I’ve felt.”

An exception in this new collection is *YeYu*, which remains deeply personal. This contrast underscores the band’s willingness to explore fresh narrative angles while honoring their emotional roots.

Return to the Stage and Reinvention

Earlier this year, Gang of Youths played their first show in three years at an intimate theatre near Sydney, introducing fans to new tracks like Things Take Time. “Loads. It renewed something in me,” Le’aupepe shares. “There was a real warmth and affection there—you always get that with regional audiences in beautiful theatres.”

Meeting familiar faces in the crowd, hearing stories of weddings and new families, made the experience deeply personal. After the weariness that touring can induce, that show reminded the band why they do what they do.

Gang Of Youths reconnect with fans during their 2026 performances.

The concert also revealed a new live direction. Older songs like *Magnolia* and *Let Me Down Easy* were reinvented—stripped down and subtly reimagined. The band wants their performances to feel fresh and organic rather than reliant on heavy production.

“We want these songs to stand out by themselves, as opposed to needing loads of backing tracks running in order for them to work,” David explains.

The Road Ahead: New Album Progress

Is the new album ready yet? Not quite. “Nah,” Le’aupepe replies with characteristic candor.

How will they know when it’s done? “When someone tells me it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever made! With our debut The Positions, I had no clue what I was doing. With Go Farther in Lightness, I was totally sure about every aspect before we turned it in.”

He feels Things Take Time is a clear indicator the album is nearing completion. “I’ve always cooked the goose too long, I think, and now it’s a process of learning not to.”

Tune In to the New Groove

Things Take Time is now out for fans old and new to enjoy. Gang of Youths will be lighting up London’s Hyde Park with Twenty One Pilots at All Points East on August 30, before embarking on a UK and European tour later this year.

It's a thrilling time to witness a band that has bravely shed old skins and embraced a freer, jazzier sound—reminding us all that growth, like a garden, happens in its own perfect time.

“One of the things I really like about the song is that, when it was finished and we listened back to it, it felt like a proper break with the past – and we were OK with that.”

— David Le’aupepe

FAQ

• How is ‘Things Take Time’ different from Gang of Youths’ previous work?
  It features a jazzy, groovy sound with sparse piano and horn arrangements, moving away from the band’s usual maximalist indie-rock style.
• What inspired the lyrics of ‘Things Take Time’?
  The song was inspired by the simple act of growing plants and reflects on cycles of growth, death, and rebirth.
• Did the band consider ending after their last album?
  Yes, David Le’aupepe admitted that after every album cycle he feels like quitting, but eventually the passion brings him back.
• How has performing live changed for Gang of Youths?
  Their live shows now favor stripped-down, organic arrangements that highlight the songs themselves without heavy backing tracks.
• Is the new Gang of Youths album finished?
  Not yet. The band is still working on it and taking their time to ensure it feels right before release.

If you’re inspired by Gang of Youths’ evolving journey and want to bring their spirit home, shop your favorite album cover poster at our store here. It’s a perfect way to celebrate music that takes its time but makes every moment count.