{{good article}} {{About|the 2015 album|other uses|Position (disambiguation){{!}}Position}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox album | name = The Positions | type = studio | artist = Gang of Youths | cover = The Position by Gang of Youths.jpg | alt = A motion-blurred photograph of David Le'aupepe being held back by his three bandmates. | released = 17 April 2015 | recorded = | studio = Marcata Recording, Hudson Valley | genre = {{hlist|Pop rock|modern rock}} | length = 60:25 | label = Mosy | producer = {{hlist|Gang of Youths|Kevin McMahon{{efn|Tracks 1, 2 and 7 only}}|Chris Collins{{efn|Track 3 only}}}} | next_title = Let Me Be Clear | next_year = 2016 | misc = {{Singles | name = The Positions | type = studio | single1 = Poison Drum | single1date = 1 May 2014 | single2 = Radioface | single2date = 19 March 2015 | single3 = Magnolia | single3date = 13 August 2015 }} }}
'''''The Positions''''' is the debut studio album by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths, released on 17 April 2015 through Mosy Recordings. Written by frontman David Le'aupepe over three years, his lyrics reflect personal struggles including the breakdown of his marriage following his then-wife's cancer diagnosis and his suicide attempt. Produced mostly by the band and Kevin McMahon, the album lingered in development for years, with constant re-recordings owing to Le'aupepe's perfectionism.
Supported by three singles including the band's breakout hit "Magnolia", ''The Positions'' debuted at number five on the ARIA Albums Chart. It earned the band three nominations at the 2015 ARIA Awards, for Breakthrough Artist, Best Rock Album and Best Cover Art, as well as Australian Album of the Year at the J Awards of 2015. In 2021, ''Rolling Stone Australia'' ranked ''The Positions'' at number 89 in their list of the 200 greatest Australian albums of all time.
== Background == In 2011, David Le'aupepe was 18 years old when he met his first wife who, at the time, was going through chemotherapy for metastasised melanoma. The couple wed when he was 21.<ref name=":0" /> When her cancer intensified, Le'aupepe began writing songs as a coping mechanism. He contacted several childhood friends to form Gang of Youths in 2012.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Rod |date=26 May 2015 |title=Gang of Youths: A Matter of Life and Death |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gang-of-youths-a-matter-of-life-and-death-688/ |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=Rolling Stone Australia}}</ref> His marriage broke down over the ensuing years.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Rod |date=23 August 2017 |title=Gang of Youths Find Healing in Epic New Album |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gang-of-youths-cover-story-feature-1975/ |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=Rolling Stone Australia}}</ref>
On the night of 3 June 2014, after a week-long bender, Le'aupepe attempted suicide while heavily drunk, stumbling towards a train station.<ref name=":0" /> He said it was the third or fourth time he tried to end his life.<ref name="Mordue20110905">{{Cite web |last=Mordue |first=Mark |date=5 September 2011 |title=Gang of Youths' difficult positions |url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/music/2015/09/05/gang-youths-difficult-positions/14413752002336 |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=The Saturday Paper}}</ref> His concerned friends called the police who intercepted and sat him underneath a magnolia tree, inspiring their song "Magnolia".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cain |first=Sian |date=19 November 2021 |title='We want to get treated like normies': Gang of Youths on fame, faith and family secrets |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/18/we-want-to-get-treated-like-normies-gang-of-youths-on-fame-faith-and-family |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>
== Composition ==
=== Songwriting === Le'aupepe is the sole lyricist on ''The Positions''. Across two or three years, he wrote 40 songs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMullen |first=Sally |date=1 August 2016 |title=Gang of Youth's Dave Le'aupepe Talks New EP, His Cathartic Writing Process & Becoming More Human |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/features/gang-youths-dave-leaupepe-talks-new-ep-cathartic-writing-process-becoming-human/ |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=Music Feeds}}</ref> While living and writing in Nashville, Tennessee, Le'aupepe took imaginal inspiration from the sweeping, grandiose landscapes around him.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2 August 2016 |title=Interview: David Le'aupepe from Gang of Youths |url=https://aaabackstage.com/interview-david-leaupepe-from-gang-of-youths/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=AAA Backstage}}</ref> The album's narrative is centred around the health of his ex-wife and their collapsing relationship—he has retrospectively labelled it "the cancer album".<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Clerke |first=Roshan |date=28 October 2016 |title=Gang of Youths On Following Up On 'The Cancer Album' |url=https://themusic.com.au/features/gang-of-youths-max-dunn-roshan-clerke/HoMxMDMyNTQ/28-10-16 |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=The Music}}</ref> The album's storytelling is nonlinear: Le'aupepe shuffled the track listing to have "The Overpass" as the closing track, ending with a sense of hope and "against-the-odds valiance",<ref name="Mordue20110905" /> while the album's true lyrical end point is in the middle.<ref name=":0" /> He also aimed to write in a conversational, fluid style, inspired by Paul Kelly and Mark Knopfler.<ref name=":6" /> ''The Positions'' is named in reference to Leonard Cohen's 1984 album ''Various Positions''.<ref name="Mordue20110905" /> Le'aupepe liked how the title represented "‘the positions’ of [his] grief and yearning and fear and desire."<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Angeles |first=Jana |date=14 April 2015 |title=Dave Le'aupepe of Gang of Youths (Sydney) talks about new LP and future 'brutal' music collabs |url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/dave-leaupepe-of-gang-of-youths-sydney-talks-about-new-lp-and-future-brutal-music-collabs/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=The AU Review}}</ref>
{{Listen|pos = right |filename = Gang of Youths - The Diving Bell.ogg |title = "The Diving Bell" |description = As one of David Le'aupepe's core musical inspirations, "The Diving Bell" recalls the sound of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire".<ref name="SMHReview" /> }}
The sound of ''The Positions'' was heavily inspired by U2's ''The Joshua Tree'', an album which Le'aupepe described as his "beacon light".''<ref name="Mordue20110905" />'' Journalist Mark Mordue found its lyricism owing to Bruce Springsteen's ''Born to Run.<ref name="Mordue20110905" />'' Reviewing for ''Happy'', music writer Nick Stillman likened "The Diving Bell" and "Magnolia" to power anthems from the 1980s,<ref name=":5" /> while other comparisons were made to the work of 2007 indie bands including Arcade Fire and Kings of Leon.<ref name="SMHReview" /> Music critics have described ''The Positions'' as a pop album, but one that "exist[s] on the very outer limits of pop," according to Joseph Earp of ''Renowned for Sound.''<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Earp |first=Joseph |date=12 July 2023 |title=Album Review: Gang of Youths – The Positions |url=https://renownedforsound.com/album-review-gang-of-youths-the-positions/ |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=Renowned for Sound |language=en-US}}</ref> Stillman agrees that it contains catchy hooks and melodies and a meticulous production, but its lyrical depth pushes the album beyond pop sensibilities.<ref name=":5" /> Other genre descriptors have included pop rock<ref name="Mordue20110905" /> and modern rock.<ref name="TheMusicReview" />
=== Production === thumb|Le'aupepe blamed ''The Positions''{{'}} lengthy production on his perfectionism. Six of the album's 10 tracks were self-produced.<ref name=":9" /> Kevin McMahon, whom the band approached due to his work with Titus Andronicus and Swans, is credited for production on three tracks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live Sessions: Gang of Youths |url=https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/gang-of-youths |access-date=22 June 2025 |publisher=NPR Music}}</ref> The band worked in McMahon's studio, Marcata Recording, in Hudson Valley, New York.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Stillman |first=Nick |date=26 March 2015 |title=Gang of Youths finally bare all on The Positions |url=https://happymag.tv/gang-of-youths-finally-bare-all-on-the-positions/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=Happy}}</ref> Chris Collins also produced alongside the band on "The Diving Bell". Peter Katis was responsible for most of the mixing.<ref name=":9" /> With a "sprawling and expansive" soundscape, the average song length is six minutes, and no track is less than four.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Shackleford |first=Tom |date=18 November 2015 |title=Interview: Gang of Youths |url=https://www.pancakesandwhiskey.com/2015/11/18/interview-gang-of-youths/ |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=Pancakes and Whiskey |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="SMHReview">{{Cite news |last=Delaney |first=Colin |date=18 May 2015 |title=Gang of Youths' debut album The Positions evokes Springsteen and Lou Reed |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/gang-of-youths-debut-album-the-positions-evokes-springsteen-and-lou-reed-20150616-gheptu.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 June 2025 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
Recording and production took an exceptionally long time, spanning three years and facing persistent delays. Le'aupepe, a perfectionist, said that: "Every single fucking time we’re putting the final touches on the record we just veer away from it."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Apter |first=Liam |date=12 July 2023 |title=Interview - Gang of Youths |url=http://pilerats.com/shit-weve-done/interview-gang-of-youths/ |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=Pilerats}}</ref> He called almost every song on the album a "holy pain in the ass to finish."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=21 April 2015 |title=Interview: Gang Of Youths & Their Debut LP Release |url=http://lifewithoutandy.com/news/music/interview-gang-of-youths-their-debut-lp-release/ |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=Life Without Andy |language=en-US}}</ref> "Radioface" and "The Overpass" were constantly re-recorded. "The Diving Bell" made the final track listing after being scrapped in 2013,<ref name=":3" /> and it was re-written just one week before recording wrapped up.<ref name=":7" /> "Magnolia" was similarly composed at the last minute.<ref name=":7" />
== Release and promotion == Because of its lengthy production process, the album's release was delayed, initially slated for September 2014''.''<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Fitzsimons |first=Scott |date=5 June 2014 |title=In The Studio With Gang of Youths As They Finish Their Album |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/in-the-studio-with-gang-of-youths-as-they-finish-their-album/eVhqbWxvbpE/05-06-14 |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=The Music}}</ref> Songs were still being engineered by Adrian Breakspear in June 2014. Le'aupepe was hopeful this would be finished by the end of July, with mastering done by August, looking to an early 2015 release.<ref name=":10" /> He blamed himself entirely for the pushbacks, as he was "obsessed with making something [he] wouldn’t hate".<ref name=":8" />
Gang of Youths issued the lead single "Poison Drum" on 1 May 2014, supported by a music video and two headline shows.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=8 July 2014 |title=Gang Of Youths Drop 'Poison Drum' Clip And Headline Dates |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/gang-of-youths-drop-poison-drum-clip-and-headline-dates/aqJ9fH9-YWA/08-07-14 |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=The Music |language=en}}</ref> On 19 March 2015, "Radioface" was released and the band officially announced the album's details.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stillman |first=Nick |date=19 March 2015 |title=Gang of Youths give us the first taste of their debut album with Radioface |url=https://happymag.tv/gang-of-youths-give-us-the-first-taste-of-their-debut-album-with-radioface/ |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=Happy Mag |language=en-US}}</ref> Issued as the third single, "Magnolia" received a music video on 13 August 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2015 |title=Gang of Youths Release Video For 'Magnolia' |url=https://www.umusicpub.com/au/News/2015/Aug/Gang-Of-Youths-Release-Video-For-Magnolia.aspx |access-date=13 July 2023 |publisher=Universal Music Publishing Group}}</ref> Upon release, ''The Positions'' was feature album on national youth radio broadcaster Triple J and Sydney community station FBi Radio.<ref name="Mordue20110905" /> It debuted at number five on the ARIA Albums Chart.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moran |first=Jonathan |date=26 August 2017 |title=Sydney indie rockers Gang of Youths score first number one album on ARIA charts |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/sydney-indie-rockers-gang-of-youths-score-first-number-one-album-on-aria-charts/news-story/a591fe126bf6ffd67e37c6cbe6e2c452 |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph |publisher=News Corp Australia}}</ref> The band toured extensively in support of ''The Positions'' with a sold-out run of Australian capital cities in May 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ziegler |first=Lauren |date=15 April 2015 |title=Gang of Youths are heading out on tour! |url=https://howlandechoes.com/2015/04/gang-youths-heading-tour/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=Howl and Echoes}}</ref> followed by a 24-date regional leg from August to September 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 June 2015 |title=Happy presents the Gang of Youths national tour |url=https://happymag.tv/happy-presents-the-gang-of-youths-national-tour/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Happy}}</ref> In April 2016, they toured nationally again to larger venues, with all shows selling out.<ref name="Mordue20110905" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Sam |date=19 November 2015 |title=Gang of Youths Announce 2016 National Tour |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/gang-youths-announce-2016-national-tour/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Music Feeds}}</ref>
At the 2015 ARIA Awards, ''The Positions'' earned Gang of Youths three nominations: Breakthrough Artist, Best Rock Album and Best Cover Art.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mack |first=Emmy |author-link=RedHook (band) |date=26 November 2015 |title=Courtney Barnett, Tame Impala Dominate The 2015 ARIA Awards |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/courtney-barnett-tame-impala-dominate-2015-aria-awards/ |access-date=15 June 2025 |work=Music Feeds}}</ref> Adrian Breakspear and Peter Holz were also nominated for Engineer of the Year for "Radioface".<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 April 2016 |title=Gang of Youths brings The Positions to Splendour |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/gang-of-youths-brings-the-positions-to-splendour/news-story/3d70c20b5293562f23b9c78605c83054 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> At the 2015 J Awards, ''The Positions'' was nominated for Australian Album of the Year, but lost to Courtney Barnett's ''Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mack |first=Emmy |date=19 November 2015 |title=Here Are Your J Awards Winners For 2015 |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/j-awards-winners-2015/ |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=Music Feeds}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | rev1 = ''The AU Review'' | rev1score = 9/10<ref name="TheMusicReview">{{cite web |url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/album-review-gang-of-youths-the-positions-2015-lp/ |title=Album Review: Gang of Youths – The Positions (2015 LP) |work=The AU Review |date= 18 April 2015 |accessdate=12 July 2023 |last=Angeles |first= Jana}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The Music'' | rev2score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="The Music AU">{{cite web |url=http://themusic.com.au/music/albumreviews/2015/04/15/gang-of-youths-the-positions-roshan-clerke/ |title=Gang Of Youths - The Positions |work=The Music |date=15 April 2015|accessdate=28 August 2017 |author=Clerke, Roshan}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Rolling Stone Australia'' | rev3score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Rolling Stone AUS">{{cite web |url=http://rollingstoneaus.com/reviews/post/gang-of-youths-the-positions/1447 |title=Gang of Youths – The Positions Review |work=Rolling Stone Australia |date= 13 April 2015 |accessdate=28 August 2017 |author=Yates, Rod}}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' | rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="SMHReview" /> }}
''The Positions'' received widespread critical acclaim. Colin Delaney of ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' called it an "accomplished record with an international sound",<ref name="SMHReview" /> while ''Renowned for Sound''{{'}}s Joseph Earp described it a "triumph" from a band "destined for some very good things."<ref name=":1" />
Its concept and difficult subject matter was highly regarded. Reviewing for ''The Music,'' Roshan Clerke commended Le'aupepe's lyricism as holding "some of the most empowering sentiments to be found in modern rock music."<ref name="The Music AU" /> Rod Yates of ''Rolling Stone Australia'' said the album is "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."<ref name="Rolling Stone AUS" />
== Legacy == In 2021, ''Rolling Stone Australia'' ranked ''The Positions'' at number 89 in their list of the 200 greatest Australian albums of all time. Sosefina Fuamoli wrote the album "set the bar high" for Gang of Youths, and that it propelled the band "onto radars everywhere in what felt like rapid time."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brancatisano |first=Gloria |date=29 January 2023 |title=Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Australian Albums of All Time |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/rolling-stones-200-greatest-australian-albums-of-all-time/page/6/gang-of-youths-the-positions/ |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
Le'aupepe has spoken about how recording and touring ''The Positions'' brought "enormous calamity" onto his life, leading to the breakdown of his marriage and continued mental health decline.<ref name=":4" /> However, the album also provided emotional relief; he reflected on his state before its release: "I was never able to compartmentalise and express the feelings I had about that relationship with people properly. I used to be very non-verbal about stuff."<ref name=":4" />
==Track listing== All lyrics are written by David Le'aupepe.<ref name=":9" />
# "Vital Signs" – 7:23 # "Poison Drum" – 6:26 # "The Diving Bell" – 4:53 # "Restraint & Release" – 4:41 # "Magnolia" – 5:11 # "Kansas" – 4:08 # "Knuckles White Dry" – 6:10 # "Radioface" – 6:52 # "Sjamboksa" – 7:12 # "The Overpass" – 7:29
'''Bonus disc: ''Juices... B-sides & Demos'''''
# "Strange Diseases" (Early Demo) – 7:23 # "Evangelists" – 6:26 # "A Sudden Light" (Early Demo) – 4:53 # "Benevolence Riots" – 4:41 # "Lover In My Lungs" – 5:11
==Personnel== Adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name=":9">{{cite AV media notes |title=The Positions |others=Gang of Youths |publisher=Sony Music Australia / Mosy Recordings |year=2015 |id=88875071512 |type=booklet}}</ref>
'''Gang of Youths''' * David Le'aupepe – writing, vocals {{small|(all tracks)}}; guitar {{small|(1–5, 8–10)}}, percussion {{small|(3)}}, keyboard {{small|(3–6)}}, piano {{small|(5, 7)}}, strings {{small|(5–6)}} * Sam O'Donnell – drums {{small|(2, 8, 9)}}, percussion {{small|(3)}}, vocals {{small|(3)}} * Jung Kim – guitar {{small|(1–4, 8–10)}}, keyboard {{small|(1, 3–5, 8)}}, percussion {{small|(3)}}, vocals {{small|(3)}}, strings {{small|(4)}} * Max Dunn – bass guitar {{small|(1–5, 8–10)}}, percussion {{small|(3)}}, vocals {{small|(3)}}, strings {{small|(4)}} * Donnie Borzestowski – drums {{small|(4, 10)}} * Joji Malani – guitar {{small|(1–5, 8–10)}}, keyboard {{small|(4, 5)}}, percussion {{small|(3)}}, vocals {{small|(3)}}, strings {{small|(4–5)}} '''Other musicians''' * Jane Scarpantoni – strings, cello {{small|(1, 7)}} * James Felice – piano {{small|(1)}} * Kevin McMahon – guitar {{small|(1, 7)}}, percussion {{small|(2, 7)}}, keyboard {{small|(7)}} * Stella McMahon – percussion {{small|(2)}} * Chris Collins – percussion {{small|(3)}} * Joel van Gastel – drums {{small|(3, 5)}} * Jamal Ruhe – guitar {{small|(7)}} * Edward M. Mackenzie – spoken vocals {{small|(8)}} * Benjamin Reisemann-Jeffrey – horns {{small|(8)}} '''Technical''' * Greg Calbi – mastering {{small|(1–10)}} * Kevin McMahon – production {{small|(1–2, 7)}}, engineering {{small|(1–2, 8, 10)}}, mixing {{small|(7)}} * Peter Holz – engineering {{small|(1, 4–5, 8–10)}} * Adrian Breakspear – engineering {{small|(1, 8–10)}} * Christina Thiers – engineering {{small|(1, 4, 8–10)}} * Peter Katis – mixing {{small|(1–2, 6, 8–9)}} * Chris Collins – production {{small|(3)}}, engineering {{small|(3)}}, mixing {{small|(3–4)}} * Gang of Youths – production {{small|(3–6, 8–10)}} * Donnie Borzestowski – engineering {{small|(4, 10)}} * Jung Kim – engineering {{small|(4–5, 10)}} * David Le'aupepe – engineering {{small|(5–6)}} * Joji Malani – engineering {{small|(5)}} * Nora Wever – engineering {{small|(5)}} * Karl Cashwell – engineering {{small|(5)}}, mixing {{small|(5, 10)}} * David J. Andrew – engineering {{small|(6)}} '''Artwork''' * Rachela Nardella – photography * Callum van de Mortel – photography * Nathan Johnson – artwork design
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Chart performance for ''The Positions'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2015) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- {{album chart|Australia|5|artist=Gang of Youth|album=The Positions|rowheader=true|accessdate=27 August 2017}} |}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2018}} {{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}} {{Gang of Youths}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Positions}} Category:2015 debut albums Category:Gang of Youths albums Category:Albums produced by Gang of Youths Category:Albums produced by Kevin McMahon (musician) Category:Sony Music Australia albums