Spirit Boy

Spirit Boy

Angel in Realtime is the third studio album by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths, released on 25 February 2022 through Mosy Recordings. Written over the four years following the death of frontman David Le'aupepe's father, the album lyrically focuses on the emotions that arise from mourning, coming to terms with loss, and discovering family identity in the Pacific Islands. It consistently uses vocal and instrumental samples from Indigenous musicians collected by explorer David Fanshawe, marking a significant sonic departure from their previous album, Go Farther in Lightness (2017). Supported by a world tour commencing in Dublin in March 2022, Angel in Realtime became the band's second album to debut at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album was lauded by many critics, who particularly praised the lyricism and storytelling. Multiple outlets recognised it as the band's best work, however some found issue with the length and density. Angel in Realtime was nominated for Album of the Year, Best Group and Best Rock Album at the 2022 ARIA Music Awards, while winning Australian Album of the Year at the J Awards. Angel in Realtime was preceded by four singles, as well as "Unison" and "The Angel of 8th Ave." from Gang of Youths' second EP, Total Serene (2021). The latter track polled at number six in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2021, while the third single "In the Wake of Your Leave" reached number eight in the 2022 countdown. Three of the album's tracks would later be re-recorded as part of the band's following EP, Immolation Tape (2022).

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