Gustaffson: Dance To The Algorithm
(One Boat Records)
DL/Streaming
Out Now
Gustaffson release their first new music, Dance To The Algorithm since their acclaimed debut album, Black & White Movie back in March.
When Gustaffson’s Black & White Movie arrived Louder Than War’s Nigel Carr declared it the perfect antidote to the tsunami of negativity, disruption and despair hitting our shores… a tour de force of an album; so full of brightness, emotion, and love, that it washes all the darkness away (full review here).
Dance To The Algorithm, as with the album, is produced in collaboration with Elbow’s Craig Potter. Like all of their releases to date there is a timeless quality to it, on this occasion an up-tempo retro-funk anthem.
There is a definite Mancunian bass sound in there courtesy of Dave Gleave and the vibrant production draws inspiration from early Mark Ronson Motown sounds, complementing Gustafsson’s sharp, succinct delivery and cinematic storytelling, questioning how we consume music in 2025, provocatively asking: ‘Do you dance to the algorithm?’
Speaking on the track, Andrew said: “The best artists of years gone by have all proven you can write about profound and important worldly subjects yet still entertain your audience. I was lucky enough to attend a screening of a Beatles 64 documentary last year around the release of our debut album. During the Q&A Giles Martin spoke about modern music and how audiences digest art in 2025; there was one line that stuck with me, ultimately inspiring me to write this single.”
The excellent video, Gowers directorial debut juxtaposes the ‘normal’ with the otherworldly, a lonely astronaut’s journey through Manchester in a quest to find real music in a confusing algorithmic world, which is worth the price of admission alone…
Gustaffson will perform two special headline shows this November to showcase Dance To The Algorithm alongside highlights from Black & White Movie. The band will be appearing at Low Four Studio, Manchester on Friday 21 November, which will include a Q&A with BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and Craig Potter, followed by an evening at The Courtyard Theatre, London on Thursday 27 November.
INTERVIEW
Louder Than War: Hi Andrew, how are you doing?
Andrew Gower: Very well thanks Iain. It’s a sunny Autumn day today. Perfect jacket weather. My favourite season.
LTW: We’re going to talk about your new single, Dance To The Algorithm, but just before that can you tell me a little about the band?
AG: We are a 5 piece northern band called Gustaffson. We write, record and rehearse our music in Manchester. I started the band in 2022 as a home for my song-writing with my old school pal Webbo (James Webster). Three years later we’ve recorded our debut album and this will be our first stand alone single.
LTW: As well as being a musician you’re a successful ‘jobbing’ actor, making a number of appearances on TV, I remember you in Being Human, and Black Mirror however you’re probably most known to many in Outlander and Carnival Row… Is it easy to balance the two careers?
AG: It’s still a work in progress balancing acting and music. With the debut album I really enjoyed bringing the two worlds together. We’ve done that again with this single. I always say I’m very lucky with acting I get to tell stories written by other people. Gustaffson and our music, it’s my opportunity to share my own tales.
LTW: I’ve known your bass player, Dave Gleave for the best part of 35 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so excited about something he’s played on as he is with your new single Dance To The Algorithm…
AG: Well that is good to hear … as Dave has definitely played on some cracking tracks. When we finished at recording at Blueprint Studios and we were all nursing a pint at the Eagle Inn pub, Dave did actually say: “This isn’t a new Gustaffson sound. It’s a different dimension”. I’ve enjoyed chucking that phrase around when promoting the track. We might even have to make it into a T-shirt.
LTW: How did this track come together?
AG: I’m forever jotting words down in a notebook. The week before the debut album was released I was invited to the 64 Beatles Doc screening in London. The film ended with a Q&A with producer Giles Martin (son of the late George Martin). When asked about the way we digest music in 2025 and how that differs to 1964, he said: “Nowadays people hear music. They don’t listen to it.” I went home that night and wrote Dance To The Algorithm. A play on words: dancing to the rhythm of the algorithm.
The next band rehearsal Dave came in with bass riff and the words melted onto it. We had our track.
LTW: You work closely with Elbow musician and producer Craig Potter, how central is he to your sound?
AG: Craig’s ears have listened/played on over 30 years of music production that comes before Gustaffson. He can hear things in the journey of a track from demo to studio that we don’t as a band. So when we sent him this latest demo and he latched onto the intention behind the song – we knew we had something exciting. We are very lucky that this is our third time recoding with him and the collaboration is just going from strength to strength. He’s definitely part of the Gustaffson tribe now.
LTW: Dance To The Algorithm is about how we consume music in the digital age, are you a digital or a vinyl man?
AG: I’m a vinyl man. But not everyone in the band is (mentioning no names…he plays drums).
LTW: As with many of your releases, has a timeless quality to it. What music did you ‘grow up’ with? It feels like you have a broad spectrum of influences.
AG: Yes! a VERY broad spectrum. I grew up in a house built on the Beatles. With a family full of music lovers, from all genres: Simon & Garfunkel, George Michael, The Stone Roses, Tony Bennett, The Verve, The Doors and the list goes on. My two older brothers are definitely music tastemakers for me. Sending them a new Gustaffson track is always a little nervy moment.
Other influences … 18 year old me at drama school heard David Bowie for the first time. Musical discoveries like that keep happening. Just the other month I FINALLY sat down and delved into The Cure. Wow.
LTW: At this point it’s worth mentioning the video too which you directed… where did the idea of the astronaut come from?
AG: My inspiration was to create juxtaposing images of an extraordinary astronaut (iconic modern suit) amongst the everyday Manchester commute we all know so well. What a backdrop. Technology vs Real Life. I like films and videos that paint pictures in one shot. Wide world building, with physicality and movement. But MOST importantly we hope the film just makes people feel good.
LTW: Your debut album, Black & White Movie, came out back in March to great acclaim, were you happy with the reception?
AG: To release an album as an unsigned band was a huge achievement for us. Something I never thought I’d do. An amazing reception from the folks who listened to it. We made the record for an audience and the incredible thing is … it’s there for everyone to listen to now/to be discovered. Just like any ‘industry’ there are gatekeepers & tastemakers who decide what people should or shouldn’t listen to.
LTW: The track ‘Flowers’ is a collaboration with Emmy-winning composer Bear McCreary and ‘Closer’ features the legendary Sir Ben Kingsley. Who is the most famous person in your phone?
AG: Dave Gleave (Mr Manchester). Followed by my Mother – she is bombarded with love at Gustaffson gigs.
LTW: You’ve had the wonderful Sue Johnson and three times Olivier-winning Sharon D. Clarke appearing in your videos. Are they willing participants? How much of it is it a ‘job’ for them as opposed to doing it because you’ve built up relationships over a long period of time?
AG: The beauty of working with Sue, Sharon and all music video collaborators was that they all bought into the story of the song/project. What I always tell everyone in the arts is … it’s about finding the people you want to work with. Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough that they will want to work with you too. Sue & Sharon live and breathe music. I’d say they both seek the truth and stories that modern day music has been missing for some time.
LTW: I can imagine when you make music it’s got a very visual element, meaning you can ‘see it’ as well as feel and hearing it. Do you have a ‘wish list’ of actors or people would you’d love to appear in a video?
AG: There’s not a list (as such), however we will be looking to make a TV programme or Film that features music solely composed by Gustaffson. That will be the next step. I think there’s a huge hole in the world for more music lead original drama. The Gustaffson films have given us good practice.
LTW: Just going back to Dance To The Algorithm, following on from Black & White Movie is does feel like a slight development / change in direction…
AG: Yes. A continuation from the themes of the album. But this is definitely something different for peoples ear lobes. Retro soul Motown. Pure entertainment. We wanted to say something about the world but entertain. It’s a nice way to end the year with a toe tapper.
LTW: You’ve got a couple of gigs coming up in November in Manchester and London, are you looking forward to playing live again?
AG: Buzzing to play live again. In two completely NEW venues. Low Four Studio (Manchester) being an old TV studio set and Courtyard Theatre (London) not too far from me in East London – a traditional black box theatre. We’ve got one hell of a set ready to play. Tracks from the album and SO much brand new material. We’ll have a Q&A with Elbow’s Craig Potter hosted by BBCRadio 6 DJ Chris Hawkins in Manchester. Award-winning spoken word artist Hussain Manawer will be supporting us at our London show.
LTW: Before I let you go, you’re an Evertonian. Have you been to the Hill Dickinson Stadium yet and with your local rivals dip in form, do you think there’s a chance you may finish above them this season?
AG: Our guitarist Webbo would say NO (he’s a Kopite). I think it might be a season too soon for Everton to be pushing top 6 (after the torture of the last four seasons). I think most Evertonian’s would take a mid table finish and a stress free season. One thing though … when we do win something (anything) the scenes in Liverpool will be iconic. Because we all know Merseyside is blue.
For more Gustaffson visit their Facebook, X/Twitter and Official Website
Band photo supplied by Andrew Gower
REview and Interview conducted by Iain Key. See his author profile here or find him via his LinkTree
A Plea From Louder Than War
Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team, and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly. Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write, or hungry shareholders. We know times are tough, and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases, the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy. We are not driven by profit, just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about.
To us, music and culture are eveything, without them, our very souls shrivel and die. We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many, what we do is absolutely vital. Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute, and each sign-up makes a huge impact, helping to keep the flame of independent music burning! Please click the button below to help.
John Robb – Editor in Chief
Leave a Reply