Immolation Tape

Immolation Tape (stylised in all-lowercase) is the third extended play by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths, surprise released on 20 May 2022. It contains re-recorded acoustic versions of three tracks from their preceding third studio album Angel in Realtime, as well as a cover of "Shot in the Arm" by Wilco.

Immolation Tape
EP by Gang of Youths
Released	20 May 2022
Recorded	March 2022
Studio	Sirius XM United States
Genre	Indie folk baroque pop
Length	18:05
Label	Mosy Recordings
Producer	Gang of Youths
Gang of Youths chronology
Angel in Realtime (2022) Immolation Tape (2022) Triple J Like a Version Sessions (2022)
Singles from Immolation Tape
"Shot in the Arm" Released: 10 March 2022[1]

Production and release

The EP was recorded at a Sirius XM studio in March 2022 for the station's Spectrum Sessions program in the United States following the release of their third studio album, Angel in Realtime (February).^[2] On 10 March, the band released their cover of Wilco's "Shot in the Arm" as part of the session.^[1]

On 20 May, the band performed their song "Forbearance" live on American late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live.^[3] Without any prior announcement, Immolation Tape was released digitally on the same day. In a press release, the band said they "just wanted to chuck it out there for a laugh".^[4]

The cover artwork was designed by Melbourne-based graphic director Bradley Pinkerton.^[5] In an interview with NME, frontman David Le'aupepe revealed the EP was originally to be titled This Is Fucking SiriusXM, but "it didn’t really work" and "was too on the nose".^[6]

Reception

Music publication TotalNtertainment wrote the "stripped back approach" on the EP "provides a fresh warmth and intimacy to these already emotionally charged songs". On the Wilco cover, the writer claims it is "both fresh and respectful to the original".^[7]

Track listing

All tracks stylised in all-lowercase.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"In the Wake of Your Leave – Alternate"	David Le'aupepe Donnie Berzestowski Jung Kim Max Dunn Tom Hobden	3:58
2.	"Forbearance – Alternate"	Le'aupepe Berzestowski Kim Dunn Hobden	5:02
3.	"Spirit Boy – Alternate"	Le'aupepe Berzestowski Kim Dunn Hobden Shane Mclean	5:53
4.	"Shot in the Arm"	Jay Bennett Jeff Tweedy John Stirratt	3:10
Total length:			18:05

Personnel

Gang of Youths

• David Le'aupepe – vocals, rhythm guitar, writing
• Donnie Borzestowski – drums, writing
• Jung Kim – keyboards, writing
• Max Dunn – bass guitar, writing
• Tom Hobden – violin, writing

Other musicians

• Richard Woodcraft – engineer
• Nick Etwell – trumpet^[8]

References

1. Robinson, Ellie (10 March 2022). "Listen to Gang Of Youths' enchanting cover of Wilco's 'A Shot In The Arm'". NME. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
2. Robinson, Ellie (20 May 2022). "Gang Of Youths remake 'Angel In Realtime' songs, cover Wilco on surprise EP 'Immolation Tape'". NME. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
3. Kennedy, Jade (20 May 2022). "Gang of Youths make 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' debut". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
4. Bruce, Dave (22 May 2022). "Gang Of Youths share the new EP Immolation Tape recorded for Sirius XM's Spectrum Sessions". Amnplify. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
5. Pinkerton, Bradley (9 September 2022). "Bradley Pinkerton on Instagram: "Cover art for @gangofyouths EP 'immolation tape' released earlier this year 🌱"". Instagram. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
6. Moore, Sam (14 July 2022). "Gang Of Youths talk 'Angel In Realtime', covering Wilco and Mad Cool Festival 2022". NME. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
7. "Gang of Youths share the 'immolation tape' EP". TotalNtertainment. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
8. "gang of youths on Twitter: "We had a really really fun time recording some alternative versions of our songs along with a Wilco cover with our friend Richard Woodcraft and Nick Etwell"". Twitter. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.