Things Take Time

"Things Take Time"
Single by Gang of Youths
Released18 August 2026
RecordedLondon
Length5:11
LyricistDavid Le'aupepe
ProducerGang of Youths
Gang of Youths singles chronology
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
(2023)		 "Things Take Time"
(2026)

"Things Take Time" is a song by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths. The song was premiered during their Wollongong show on 6 August 2026 and previewed during two shows at the Sydney Opera House on 8 and 10 August 2026. It was released digitally on 18 August 2026.

Upon release Gang of Youths frontman David Le'aupepe spoke with NME saying, "When I wrote this song, I didn't want too much weighing it down, wanted the song to feel speedy and light, and we wanted that really groovy and flowing nature to shine through a little bit more. It felt really good." Le'aupepe added lyrically, "It's about growing plants. My wife ordered too many tomato seeds, so she went to work growing all of these tomatoes in our house. I go over to record with Tom [Hobden] at his home studio, and that overlooks his back garden. His wife Emma grows all these beautiful plants in the yard. It got me fascinated with the cycle of growth and death, and being baffled that people can grow things without killing them."

At the 2026 ARIA Music Awards it was nominated for Best Alternative Release and Best Group.

Reception

Rachel Stone from Broadway World said "'Things Take Time' captures the depth, ambition and cinematic scale that have become hallmarks of Gang of Youths' sound." adding "The song meditates on patience, transformation and the cyclical nature of life, anchored by its refrain, 'All things take time'".

Neil Griffiths from Rolling Stone Australia said "Listening to 'Things Take Time', it's obvious that Gang of Youths' next chapter will be unlike anything that has come before."

Chris DeVille from StereoGum said "The track merges a musical lightness with emotional heaviness, leaning into the softer side of this group's sound and teasing out fresh dimensions through orchestral accompaniment. "

Mary Varvaris from The Music described it as a "jaunty, yacht rock-inspired new number" noting the "musing about finding heaven in the suburbs." Furthermore, it was the magazine's "power pick" for the week 24 August 2026, with Tyler Jenke saying "In true Gang of Youths fashion, it's a powerful piece of work that tugs on the heartstrings as it plumbs the depth of emotional intensity, ruminating and meditation on topics such as patience, transformation and life's cyclical nature."

Charts

Chart performance for "Things Take Time"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Australian Artist (ARIA) 11

Notes

  1. ↑ A "power pick" is an Australian song chosen by magazine staff they think has the potential to be the next big Australian chart hit.

References

  1. ↑ Sian Cain (19 August 2026). "Gang of Youths are back: "Does it sound like a cynical gesture towards pop radio stardom?"". The Guardian (newspaper). Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "LIVE REVIEW: Gang of Youths @ The Sydney Opera House". Live Wire AU. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 Rachel Stone (19 August 2026). "Photos: GANG OF YOUTHS to Release New Single "Things Take Time"". Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 David James Young (19 August 2026). "Gang of Youths talk easing into a new era on 'Things Take Time': "It felt like a proper break with the past"". NME. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  5. ↑ McNamara, Lauren (30 September 2026). "2026 ARIA Awards Nominees Revealed: See the Full List". Variety (magazine). Retrieved 27 September 2026.
  6. ↑ Neil Griffiths (19 August 2026). "'It's About F*cking Time': Gang of Youths Return With First New Music in Four Years". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Chris DeVille (19 August 2026). "Gang Of Youths – "Things Take Time"". StereoGum. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Music's Friday Finds: The Week's Best New Music – 21 August". The Music. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Power Pick 24/08/26: Gang of Youths - "Things Take Time"". The Music. 24 August 2026. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "ARIA Australian Artist Artist Chart" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 31 August 2026. Retrieved 29 August 2026.