The Positions Explained

The Positions
Type:studio
Artist:Gang of Youths
Cover:The Position by Gang of Youths.jpg
Released:17 April 2015
Studio:Sterling Sound (New York City)
Length:60:25
Label:
Producer:
  • Kevin McMahon
  • Gang of Youths
Next Title:Let Me Be Clear
Next Year:2016

The Positions is the debut studio album by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths, released on 17 April 2015. The album debuted at number five on the ARIA Albums Chart and was preceded by three singles including "Magnolia", which has been described as the band's "breakthrough hit".[1] Upon release of the album, frontman David Le'aupepe said "I was in a four-year relationship with a girl who had a terminal illness and then I made a concept album about it with my friends."

The album debuted was nominated for multiple ARIA Awards including Breakthrough Artist, Best Rock Album and Best Cover Art.[2] At the J Awards of 2015, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.[3]

In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked The Positions at number 89 in their list of the 200 greatest Australian albums of all time.[4]

Production and recording

The Positions was recorded over three years, and its sound, according to frontman David Le'aupepe, reflects the struggles he went through in that time: "I went through a marriage breakdown, a suicide attempt, drug problem, and everything during the middle of it so the record reflect a lot of that." He continued: "There’s grime where there should be grime, there’s perfection where there should be perfection."[5]

The release of The Positions had seen persistent delays, with Le'aupepe admitting pre-release: "Every single fucking time we’re putting the final touches on the record we just veer away from it".[6] In an interview with Life Without Andy, the frontman said "other than ‘Kansas’ virtually every song on the recording was a holy pain in the ass to finish". He specifically pointed to "Radioface" and "The Overpass" as tracks that had to constantly be re-recorded. "The Diving Bell" had been initially scrapped in 2013.[7]

With a "sprawling and expansive" production, the average track length on The Positions is six minutes.[8]

Release

Gang of Youths released the lead single "Poison Drum" on 1 May 2014. It was supported by a music video and two headline shows.[9] On 19 March 2015, "Radioface" followed, with the announcement that their debut studio album, The Positions, would release on 17 April.[10] The band released a video for the third single, "Magnolia", on 13 August 2015.[11]

Critical reception

Rod Yates of Rolling Stone Australia said the "record so emotionally bruised and honest that it at times feels like you're listening in on a conversation between frontman Dave Le'aupepe and the girl in question," adding "the album oscillates between Kings of Leon style grandeur, Bruce Springsteen-esque storytelling and sounding like it could fall apart at any second – which, emotionally, is fitting."

Roshan Clerke of The Music praised the album's "concrete vision" and said "Leaupepe writes some of the most empowering sentiments to be found in modern rock music." Writing for Renowned for Sound, Joseph Earp concluded "as a towering homage to the inner life of the teenage, The Positions is a triumph", and an "exceptionally assured release from a band destined for some very good things."[12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by David Le'aupepe.

Standard edition

  1. "Vital Signs" – 7:23
  2. "Poison Drum" – 6:26
  3. "The Diving Bell" – 4:53
  4. "Restraint & Release" – 4:41
  5. "Magnolia" – 5:11
  6. "Kansas" – 4:08
  7. "Knuckles White Dry" – 6:10
  8. "Radioface" – 6:52
  9. "Sjamboksa" – 7:12
  10. "The Overpass" – 7:29

Bonus disc - Juices..... B-sides & Demos

  1. "Strange Diseases" (Early Demo) – 7:23
  2. "Evangelists" – 6:26
  3. "A Sudden Light" (Early Demo) – 4:53
  4. "Benevolence Riots" – 4:41
  5. "Lover In My Lungs" – 5:11

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes.[13]

Musicians

Gang of Youths

Other musicians

Technical

Artwork

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabelEdition
Australia17 April 2015Standard[14] [15] [16]
4 August 2017LP SonyLimited[17]
8 March 2019LP [18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-11-01 . The 10 biggest hits from Sydney rock legends Gang Of Youths . 2022-10-15 . Tone Deaf . en-AU.
  2. Web site: ARIA Awards History 2015 . 27 August 2017 . ARIA Awards.
  3. Web site: 2015 . The J Award 2015 . 15 August 2020 . . Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  4. Web site: Brancatisano . Gloria . 29 January 2023 . Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Australian Albums of All Time . 29 January 2023 . Rolling Stone Australia . en-AU.
  5. Web site: Shackleford . Tom . 18 November 2015 . Interview: Gang of Youths . 12 July 2023 . Pancakes and Whiskey . en-US.
  6. Web site: Apter . Liam . 12 July 2023 . Interview - Gang Of Youths . 12 July 2023 . Pilerats.
  7. Web site: 21 April 2015 . Interview: Gang Of Youths & Their Debut LP Release . 12 July 2023 . Life Without Andy . en-US.
  8. News: Delaney . Colin . 29 May 2015 . THE POSITIONS (Sony) . 12 . .
  9. Web site: 8 July 2014 . Gang Of Youths Drop 'Poison Drum' Clip And Headline Dates . 13 July 2023 . The Music . en.
  10. Web site: Stillman . Nick . 19 March 2015 . Gang of Youths give us the first taste of their debut album with Radioface . 13 July 2023 . Happy Mag . en-US.
  11. Web site: 13 August 2015 . Gang Of Youths Release Video For 'Magnolia' . 13 July 2023 . Universal Music Publishing Group.
  12. Web site: Earp . Joseph . 12 July 2023 . Album Review: Gang of Youths – The Positions . 12 July 2023 . . en-US.
  13. The Positions . . Sony Music Australia / Mosy Recordings . 2015 . 88875071512 . booklet.
  14. Web site: CD The Positions (Album). JB Hi-Fi. 27 August 2017.
  15. Web site: The Positions by Gang of Youths on Apple Music. Apple Inc.. 9 August 2017.
  16. Web site: Positions, The (180gm Vinyl) (Album). JB Hi-Fi. 27 August 2017.
  17. Web site: Positions, The (Limited Edition Gold Vinyl) (Reissue). JB Hi-Fi. 27 August 2017.
  18. Web site: Gang of Youths' The Positions Re-Issued Today on Orange Vinyl – Deepest Sighs - Gang of Youths fan site. 2019-03-08. Deepest Sighs. en. 2019-04-14.