Gustaf are a Brooklyn band who, pre-pandemic, were building up a reputation for rambunctious live shows and whip-smart songs. While their live show is on hold, they’ve now been signed by Royal Mountain Records, who have put out their debut recorded song, “Mine”. Vocalist Lydia Gammill explains:
“This song is about having a false sense of entitlement. Someone who feels attacked or like they’re being pushed out of their own world and not getting the credit they deserve. Someone with a delusional sense of self whose anger and frustration is humorous like the superintendent in a college frat movie. The opening lines make it seem like the narrator is being criticizing by someone else and their retaliation is like “you’ve got to be kidding me, you can’t say that about me! I invented water you punk!” …. sort of. “
“Mine” comes bouncing out with a joyously angular gait, reminiscent of Talking Heads or B-52s – and only made more so as Gustaf head into a call-and-response portion later in the song. But they’ve got plenty of their own sardonic character in there, Gammill embodying the delusional and arrogant mindset with sneering comedy that finds perfect foil in the band’s dynamic interplay. Gustaf show the tightness they’ve built up across their live shows, as they together guide “Mine” through moments of outspoken attitude and into a quietly seething breakdown, before coming springing back as one with taut push-pull sonics that are enthralling.
Watch the video for “Mine”, directed by Joey Chriqui, below.
Gustaf’s “Mine” will be released as a 7″ with a b-side called “Design” on December 4 through Royal Mountain (pre-order). You can follow the band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
