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.
Production and release The EP was recorded at a SiriusXM 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). On 10 March, the band released their cover of Wilco's "Shot in the Arm" as part of the session.
On 20 May, the band performed their song "Forbearance" live on American late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. 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".
The cover artwork was designed by Melbourne-based graphic director Bradley Pinkerton. 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".
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".
Track listing All tracks stylised in all-lowercase.
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
References