“The Angel of 8th Ave.” by Gang of Youths

“The Angel of 8th Ave.” is one of those types of song explanations whereas it may be best if we reveal the spoiler from the jump. And that is the titular “Angel of 8^th Ave.” is actually a reference to the vocalist’s significant other. More specifically, Gang of Youths’ lead singer David Le’aupepe based this story on two different factors in his life. First is his relationship with his wife. And second would be the fact that the whole gang of Youths recently relocated to London. And it is such where the song is generally set. 

But whereas there is at least one solid reference to London, that is not to say that the narrative is set therein per se. For instance, Le’aupepe also gives a shoutout to “Washington Square” which, as far as we know, is in New York City. So it appears as if the specific metropolis this song is set in is not what’s really important. 

So if one reference points to New York and another to London, the one thing they do have most in common is being prominent metropolises. And again, such a setting is the one in which this narrative takes place. Or more to the point, as explained by the singer, is this love story being situated “in a new city” the narrator is now discovering.

Addressee

But as far as the singer’s relationship with the addressee, he gets a lot more specific in that regard. Indeed the vocalist gets quite passionately detailed in terms of illustrating the effect the addressee’s presence has had on his life. 

In fact according to his own critique, prior to hooking up with her, he was basically worthless. But it was now having someone to love which for instance compelled the vocalist to go out and “find… a job”. And even though that aspiration has not materialized as idealized, still the addressee remains by his side. So he perceives her as his savior, so to speak.

Moreover, as further elaborated in the second verse, it was one of those situations where the addressee was able to perceive his “sorrows” and mitigate them under her own initiative. He then goes on to make a couple of specific references, “Islington” (i.e. London) and “Laney”, in his continued praise of her.

Cort Bray

Well since we already that this song serves as a tribute to David’s wife, we resorted to Google to try to find a connection between all of these facts and ideas. For instance we know that Gang of Youths have been to both New York and, as aforementioned, London (where they are presently situate). However, we were not able to find out where Le’aupepe’s wife comes from. 

But we do know that her name is Cort Bray, and they got married sometime around late-2017. And we also know that (as the storyline reads) David was dealing with some serious issues back then. Heck, he even attempted suicide. But, as the song reveals, the vocalist eventually overcame this melancholy largely due to the support of his significant other.

What “the angel of 8th ave.” is all about

So even though we may not know the history behind all of the facts in this song, we do understand to indeed be by and large facts. And what we have here is a singer who is apparently using religious imagery in relation to his wife not simply in the name of love but also because she actually played a miraculous role in his life.

Gang of Youths

Gang of Youths is a rock band from Australia. They’ve been around since 2011, and for the record their membership as of the release date of this track (16 June 2021) would be in their late-20s/early-30s. Also as of said date, the Gang is made of the following:

• David Le’aupepe (lead vocalist)
• Jung Kim (primary keyboardist)
• Max Dunn (primary bassist)
• Donnie Borzestowski (primary drummer)
• Tom Hobden (primary violinist)

Since 2015 Gang of Youths have dropped two albums, their debut, “The Positions” (2015) and “Go Farther in Lightness” (2017), with the latter topping their hometown ARIA Albums Chart. They’ve also released quite a few singles, particularly during the latter half of the 2010s, with 2017’s “Let Me Down Easy” being the most-successful of the lot. 

“The Angel of 8th Ave.”

“The Angel of 8^th Ave.” is the first single the Youths have come out with during the 2020s. And Sony Music Australia is behind its issuance, as is another label called Mosy Records.

Gang of Youths produced this song, and the aforementioned members of the band are individually credited as its writers. They put the piece together in London, where the crew recently relocated to.

The director of this track’s music video, which was also filmed in London, is Joel Barney.