The angel of 8th Ave.

A stirring new track from Gang of Youths and some top early fall picks

Pick-me-ups exist, in my mind and in the real world, in many forms (and not just in the lyrics of an AC/DC song, either). A pick-me-up was just what I needed after a very busy handful of days at New York Fashion Week, and catching up from said fashion week festivities with deadlines aplenty (my main beat is menswear, after all). That’s where a crucial bit of early afternoon reading helped me as I drafted this dispatch. I came across a stellar, very insightful interview by UPROXX cultural critic Steve Hyden with Dave Le’aupepe, lead singer of the positively massive-sounding Australian rock band Gang Of Youths (there’s our guys at the top of the page). Despite a standout 2017 record and some incredible live shows (including a blow-your-doors-off February 2017 show I saw at NYC’s Mercury Lounge), they still fly under the radar just a little bit. Well, one listen to today’s featured song, “the angel of 8th ave.,” released earlier this summer, should be enough to change your mind if you need a new favorite band.

This track provided just the pick-me-up I needed after knocking out plenty of Monday deadlines. I’ve often found through the years that the life-affirming, fist pump-inducing, spellbinding rock delivered by Gang Of Youths is a perfect pick-me-up, in fact. If that sounds like the kind of music you could use to get yourself out of bed on this Tuesday morning, you’re in for a treat. And if you check out the music video for the soul-stirring track, you’ll also see Le’aupepe and co. are pretty sharp, stylish and rock n’roll-inspired dressers. To me, that’s the ultimate combination. Your latest pick-me-up of music and menswear awaits here at The Style Guide In Brief.

What To Listen To This Week: “the angel of 8th ave.” By Gang Of Youths

There’s much to love about Gang Of Youths, especially if you favor the at-times optimistic and at-times heartbreaking optimism of the best sort of soaring, propulsive indie rock (as Le’aupepe states, fans of The National will love this particular new track). It’s a market that Gang Of Youths cornered though, with thundering drums and a chugging rhythm section that all comes together nicely in an explosive live show. It’s been a long time since I crowded into a sweaty club to see Gang Of Youths play, but I know this song will take off like gangbusters when the time does come again. And if this is your first introduction to the band, I have no doubt you’ll love the band’s 2017 effort “Go Farther In Lightness,” an absolute triumph packed with heart-wrenching songs that dive deep into the depths of human emotion. It’ll leave you standing on your feet proudly when the dust clears, as all great Gang Of Youths songs tend to do. That being said, back to what I mentioned earlier: It’s pretty cool to me that this approach is packaged up with a rock n’roll wardrobe that reminds you that rock music should fun, classy and elegantly presented (a la The National). Want to channel that same energy this week? Look no further than my next pick.

What To Shop This Week: Todd Snyder Chambray Buttondown Shirt

If you’ve kept up with this newsletter, you know the drill: A song selection, some menswear, some beer to keep you sipping on the side later in the day. It helps, of course, that this rugged denim shirt is A) Absolutely perfect for early fall, best worn with black or blue denim and B) Not unlike a shirt you should wear, well, just about anywhere (and yes, eventually to that Gang Of Youths show when they hit your town). Todd Snyder toes the line between casual, dressy and cool, kind of like the sharply dressed yet elegantly rumpled gentlemen from a certain band Down Under. That’s never a bad thing, is it? Not in the slightest.

What To Sip This Week: Foster’s Premium Lager

When I recommend a preferred beverage for you to sip on later this week, I often try to nod towards either the beer in my fridge at the moment or perhaps, a connection to our featured band. Well, here we are with what I think is actually a highly enjoyable, crisp, cold lager from Down Under: Foster’s Premium Lager. Is that a little too spot-on? Perhaps. Do I believe the guys wouldn’t mind a cold one if these in hand? I don’t think they’d mind one bit. Do yourself a favor and refresh your beer fridge with Drizly yourself in the meantime.

The Final Pick: Todd Snyder Slim-Fit Stretch Jeans

One of these days, I’d love to chat with guys like Gang Of Youths about their menswear preferences on and off the stage. But right now, I’m going to suggest you do yourself a favor and get a tailored pair of blue jeans for a bit of expert everyday style that’s going to elevate any look (even a humble T-shirt). You can’t go wrong with Todd Snyder denim, the kind you can wear to the office and a rock concert (as I often recommend). Dress the part, feel the part… and channel some Aussie rocker style? Sounds ideal to me.

I’d say we’ve more than covered all the bases, at least as far as your start to Tuesday is concerned. Get ready to stock up on Foster’s Premium Lager for happy hour later, preferably as a reward for a hard day’s work. Powering said work all the while? The pick-me-up, relentlessly moving rock of Gang Of Youths. No doubt about it. Throw in Todd Snyder denim and a rugged denim shirt into your digital shopping cart and start counting the days until your next show (as I’m doing today). Lastly: Be sure to hit Subscribe and forward this along to a friend if you know someone who could just a jolt through the power of rock n’roll, menswear and beer. Like said, that’s what we do here at The Style Guide In Brief. We’ll see you back here on Saturday. Cheers!