The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows

"The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows"
Black-and-white photograph of an elderly man staring confusedly. The song title is written in black, bold letters, split up atop and below the photograph.
Single by Gang of Youths
from the album Go Farther in Lightness
Released9 August 2017
GenreAlternative rock
Length5:51
LabelMosy, Sony
LyricistDavid Le'aupepe
ProducersAdrian Breakspear, Gang of Youths
Gang of Youths singles chronology
"Let Me Down Easy"
(2017)		 "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows"
(2017)		 "The Heart Is a Muscle"
(2017)

"The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" is a song by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths. It was released on 9 August 2017 as the fourth single from their second studio album, Go Farther in Lightness.

The song peaked at number 93 on the ARIA Singles Chart, becoming the band's second top 100 single. In Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017, it polled at number five; the song also appeared at number 52 in the 2010s countdown, and at number 87 in the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs. Critically acclaimed, the song was nominated for Rock Work of the Year at the APRA Music Awards of 2019 and named among the best Australian songs of the 21st century by Rolling Stone.

Composition

Frontman David Le'aupepe said the song came about as he struggled with writer's block for about a year, "barely managing to etch out more than a single verse of something awful the whole time."[1] As he was walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, contemplating quitting music, he had an epiphany.[2]

"In a cosmos potentially absent of meaning, and an existence devoid of objective value, I have an opportunity to invent my own meaning. We all do."

The song's lyrics are about "being more human, more aware [and] more alive," according to Le'aupepe.[3] It is a slow-burning composition with a powerful, cathartic climax.[4][5][6]

Music critic Ben Yung wrote that the song's moving, cinematic orchestration recalls the work of Gin Blossoms, and creates a "soundscape that moves from the serene to heart-pounding."[5] Writing for Rolling Stone, Jade Kennedy heard a clear Bruce Springsteen influence, and concluded the track is an example of how the band can turn "complex philosophy into accessible, life-affirming rock 'n' roll."[7]

Music video

The music video was filmed in Little River, Victoria and directed by Dan and Jared Daperis. It depicts Le'aupepe as a convict escaping in the early morning, as the sun rises through fields.[2] It was nominated for Best Video at the 2017 ARIA Music Awards.[8]

Reception

The song has appeared in three Triple J Hottest 100 countdowns. In the 2017 poll, it was voted into number five; Gang of Youths had three songs in the top 10 that year, with "Let Me Down Easy" at number two, and "What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out?" at number 10.[9] Two years later, in Triple J's Hottest 100 of the 2010s, "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" reached number 52.[10] The song was also voted number 87 in the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, held in 2025.[11]

In a 2025 list of the best Australian and New Zealand songs of the 21st century, editors of Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand placed "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" at number 117.[7]

"The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" was nominated for Rock Work of the Year at the APRA Music Awards of 2019,[12] but lost to "Never Ever" by the Rubens featuring Sarah Aarons.

Covers

In 2021, Australian indie pop singer Gretta Ray covered "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows" for Triple J's live music segment Like a Version.[13] When she opened for Gang of Youths on their Angel in Realtime Australian Tour, Ray joined Le'aupepe on stage to perform a duet of the song.[14]

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 93

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[16] Platinum 70,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Musicians

  • David Le'aupepe – lead vocals, lyrics
  • Donnie Borzestowski – drums
  • Joji Malani – lead guitar
  • Jung Kim – guitar, keyboards
  • Max Dunn – bass guitar

Production

  • Gang of Youths – producer
  • Adrian Breakspear – producer
  • Peter Katis – mixing engineer
  • Joe Lambert – mastering engineer
  • Josh Pearson – assistant engineer
  • David Le'aupepe – engineer
  • Lewis Mitchell – engineer
  • Peter Holz – engineer

References

  1. ↑ Mack, Emmy (9 August 2017). "Behold The Glory of Gang of Youths' New Single 'The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 Newstead, Al (9 August 2017). "First Listen: Gang of Youths sound invincible on 'The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows'". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. ↑ "Gang of Youths announce new album". Northern Transmissions. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Newstead, Al (17 August 2017). "Have Gang of Youths reached new heights on their second album?". Triple J. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  5. 1 2 Yung, Ben (21 August 2017). "Gang of Youths – 'Go Farther in Lightness' (album review)". The Revue. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Scarsbrook, Rachael. "Album Review: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 "The Best Australian & New Zealand Songs of the 21st Century So Far". Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  8. ↑ ARIA Award previous winners. "Winners by Award – Artisan Awards – Best Video". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  9. ↑ Mack, Emmy (27 January 2018). "Kendrick Lamar Wins Triple J's Hottest 100 Of 2017". Music Feeds. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Full List 1-100". Triple J. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Triple J's Hottest 100 of Australian Songs Countdown Winner Revealed". Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Cashmere, Paul (27 March 2019). "2019 APRA Awards nominees announced". Noise11. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  13. ↑ Jenke, Tyler (23 July 2021). "Gretta Ray Covers Gang of Youths for Triple J's Like a Version". Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  14. ↑ Newstead, Al; Shneier, Luanne (1 August 2022). "Spoiler Alert: what went down at Gang of Youths' first Perth show in three years". Triple J. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "ARIA Chart Watch #458". auspOp. 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  16. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.