GANS have blasted out of the blocks, the duo storming stages up and down the land since releasing their first track ‘WHAT YOU MEAN’ in December 2023. Euan Woodman (drums, vocals) and Thomas Rhodes (bass, guitar, vocals) now present their debut album GOOD FOR THE SOUL on 19 September released via Pete Doherty’s Strap Originals label and produced by Ross Orton. Signing to Strap Originals was particularly surreal for Woodman whose first album was The Libertines Up The Bracket. For GANS the album reflects their own experiences; relationships and growing up working class in the Black Country.
Opener ‘A FOOL’ has a rumbling slightly foreboding start as it repeats “GANS is good for the soul” in various languages. Anyone who has seen the West Midlands pair perform already knows this is the case, and it’s reinforced by the energy in the track which inevitably arrives. Thematically it is sadly prescient reflecting on the “Little England” mentality and the actions and attitudes of Reform supporters.
‘IN TIME’ follows, arguably GANS breakthrough track deservedly playlisted on BBC Radio 6Music. It was one of those “who IS this?” moments, travelling like a runaway train, the listener holding on as it rattles along. The combined vocal of both creates such an explosion of exuberance alongside the guitars and drums, all thrown into the mix and creating a thrilling cohesive whole.
‘IT’S JUST LIFE’ is impossible to ignore, it’s bobbing and weaving utterly captivating. Its bounds along at a pace which welcomes every single person. The guitars and drums set a raucous pace and the lyrics strike a chord, considering the meaning of life. However this being GANS its wrapped within instrumentation which manages to make us smile:
“Money, work, power, freedom,
prison, school, success, legion,
living, dying, driving, surviving.
Better or worse, it’s just life.”
‘NIGHTWALKING’ shifts the mood completely with its more considered and thoughtful atmosphere. GANS are not just boisterous energy and here they deliver a track full of understated tension. ‘NIGHTWALKING’ deserves a full brass section live at some point. Indeed Rhodes’ musical journey began playing in Big Band jazz bands at aged 14. Perhaps the sonic inspiration came from this experience. “A reason to be bad” is on repeat, expressing how tough it is to handle the turmoil of contemporary life with individual struggles and challenges, as well as the disturbing concerns about external events.
“outside lost in the ocean,
inside confusion, emotion.”
‘FAR AND WIDE’ lightens the mood and brings the funk, GANS style. Woodman’s impassioned lyrics are accompanied by a disco beat alongside bleeps and beats which add to the party vibe. It’s edgy as well as raucous and utterly infectious in terms of danceability. As already acknowledged GANS have more depth in their music than the rollicking, raucous first impression they give. The duo provide the unexpected on ‘EVERYTHING IN EXTREMES’, bringing a quiet moment, measured and contemplative. It reflects a long term relationship of Rhodes that came to an. He admits they feel deeply as people, which can lead to pain and this track recognises “a relationship that’s had, intense extremes, highs and lows in one song.” There is a depth to this track, the heavy and troubled laden atmosphere is slow and considered, with a hint of the disappointed and sense of loss.
‘I THINK I LIKE YOU’ continues with the honesty but in a completely different vein. The funky stomping pace somehow creates humour within the music. The lyrics of GANS are worth paying attention to. Woodman is constantly creative, its part of his being. Not only does he write poetry, but he also paints, some of which are disturbing Francis Bacon-like images of animals dressed as humans. There’s a goose smoking a cigarette. Ironically this is where the band got their name, GANS is “goose” in German.
“Cause are you mental? Have you just lost the plot?
I find you special in such ways that you have lost but not forgot.
Cause I think I like you. I think you’re something else.
I think I’d break my every finger to donate my mental health”
Is that a cowbell at the start of ‘THE KINGS HEAD’! No matter, what a track on GOOD FOR THE SOUL, a highlight with its manic tempo and pulsating electronica vibe alongside the sharp guitar and pounding drums. “We all find ourselves in the PUB”. This track is a pure mood buster, and is followed by ‘THIS PRODUCT’ with its disco grooves. Contemporary life is dominated by consumerism, indeed it requires a conscious decision to push it away and get into the real world of connections, experiences and nature. “He has everything you could want.” Shake those shoulders and stomp those feet, resisting is futile. The urgent vocal delivery along with the metronomic beat is hypnotic.
‘OH GEORGE’ may be based on one person who Woodman knows but listen closely to the lyrics, the theme is universal. In a recent interview with Clash he explained:
“My brother had really bad mental health. So when I wrote the lyrics for ‘OH GEORGE’, it was actually from a poem that I’d wrote called ‘Bill’. It’s more the concept of it – it’s not about the person, it’s more about the family. Most musicians write songs about people who are suffering with poor mental health. That song is more written from the perspective of people that are looking after them. I’ve looked after a lot of people with really bad mental health. When we perform that song, it’s always quite emotional, because it’s just, you know, the anger and the despair, and also the love that you feel for that person that’s going through that. George can be anyone, and I think George relates to anyone. If you listen to it, and you think, “Oh, this makes me think of that person”, then that’s the person that we’re on about. That’s George.”
GOOD FOR THE SOUL ends with ‘WELL DONE’. An intriguing piece which emits a slice of nostalgia, sounds from childhood perhaps. The keyboard throughout is delicate and accompanies the spoken segments which are distorted, as if ghosts from the past reminding us of their existence.
GANS expand on the background to GOOD FOR THE SOUL: “The ethos behind the record is we may never get a chance again so let’s showcase all aspects of our brains and our lives and our friendship and our personality in this record.” Clash.
This they have accomplished, and then some. GANS want to bring about connection, their generation is at times lost in mobile phones and online worlds. Their music attempts to make sense of their world yes, but its the world we all live in. They want to create a sense of community around their music and gigs. How can you not be delighted to lose yourself in GANS and their debut album, bursting with infectious energy and exuberance. GANS are a band we need right now for the sake of our own well being.
For more information on GANS please check their facebook and instagram.
Review: 9 out of 10