Bennnnn
Well-Known Member
They definitely do have that massive anthemic arena ready style and it totally works, what sets them apart for me are the lyrics. That’s where it’s at. I don’t know of any Coldplay or U2 song that really just lays it all out so uniquely and genuinely. But I agree that they could have been on their way up to that height. I too am glad they aren’t cause I think it probably would sanitize their lyrics.Gang Of Youths feel like they should be this generations Coldplay or U2 and I don’t mean that as an insult. Those bands were big anthemic sincere stadium rock bands but since no one listens to Rock music like that anymore it feels like they will never rise to the level of cultural ubiquity that those aforementioned groups enjoyed. Selfishly, I kinda like that they will never rise to the level because it means I won’t have slowly grow sick of their music being played endlessly forever all the time.
That was my initial concern when previewing the album and even on my first listen. I wanted the louder more energetic rock songs. I also thought the fact that it was all centered around his dad’s death would be too much, or too somber. But with more listens, and more diving into the lyrics, I’ve found myself really loving what’s going on on the record. It has way more styles than the other two records, and it’s so much more massive and sprawling to me. The personal stuff is on GFIL as well, but this one is even more intimate. Yet it just kinda works for me.I listened to this one again today after not listening to it for like a month. It's still just okay. I picked up on more of the lyrics and it's EXTREMELY personal, I don't know if that made me not like it that much? but it felt very confessional and not what I had come to expect with GFIL. Obviously there's a few bangers but the energy overall on the album is much more solemn and introspective. I wish there were a few more full rock anthems singing about "heart-on-your sleeve" topics like GFIL had. See "The Heart Is a Muscle", "Atlas Drowned", "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" etc.
The way he approaches songwriting and performance is just unique. I just love how he delivers his words. GFIL is more immediate, urgent, and a more fun listen. But it has a lot of personal ballads stuff inside it too - although there it kinda works slightly better than on the new one. Overall, I can see why some might not enjoy it as much. I thought I’d feel the same, but I don’t know…I weirdly want to keep listening to it even though it’s this long, sad album.