Gangs of Ballet burst onto the SA music scene in 2011 and have not looked back since with their eclectic mix of alternative rock, melodic harmonic and experimental rhythms that have endeared them to a wide audience.
The band is currently back in the music scene with a bang after a short break and recently released their song, ‘Something’ to critical acclaim. The band consists of brothers, Brad and Josh Klynsmith and Jonny Rich. Brad is on vocals and electric guitar, while Josh plays the drums. Rich is on keyboard duty.
5. Something
Gangs of Ballet’s latest single probably has one of the stranger music videos that actually works well with the nature of the song. The track is more electronically influenced than their previous songs, but the band showcases their versatility nicely with this one. The use of the piano gives it an almost 80’s Journey feel but it definitely works as the beat truly sticks in your head. The drumbeat is also brilliantly executed. The lyrics focus on love and the different elements that are so fascinating. ‘There’s something about you’ are lyrics that will stay in your brain for a long while. This will also be a great song to play live with its great sing-along nature. Originality at its best.

4. Don’t Let Me Go
This is probably one of the most heart-warming acoustic songs in the band’s catalogue with an enduring music video showcasing true love through two elderly people’s perspective. The opening lyrics are delivered brilliantly and set the scene for the rest of the song, ‘It was the strangest thing I’ve seen. I looked at her, she looked like me. Although our heads were separate parts we gave ourselves, we fused two hearts. We knew tomorrow would be our new day.’ The chorus is also one of the highlights of the song, ‘With the world outside of our doors. I’ll be safe here in your arms. I said please don’t let me go. Don’t let me go.’ The piano melody sticks in your head, along with the same sounding woo-oohs that become a signature part of the song. Brad’s voice truly shines in this song as he hits a variety of notes that are pure honey to a listener’s eardrum.

3. Always
This is how a sweet love song should sound. The warm-hearted emotion involved in this song is emphasised throughout with fantastic lyrics such as ‘Always, I’m waiting here for you’ as well as ‘By some strange miracle a spark chooses you. We don’t know quite how, just do. At some point, that spark becomes a part of you.’ The drumming from Josh is also like a constant heartbeat yearning for love. The use of the hi-hat cymbal in this song is majestic and adds tremendous rhythm and musicality to the song. There are also a lot of different electronic elements involved that keep the song fresh throughout. One of their very best.

2. This Love
The opening intro is one of the best in South African music this decade with a raunchy guitar riff and precise drumming that sets the song into motion. One of the best songs to relate to lyrically as love is looked at from various angles and concepts. ‘Love is a fire, don’t let it burn out. This love will guide us,’ are great lyrics as love has the power to set the world on fire. A really fantastic song that is both lyrically and musically deep while still keeping its easy listening style. The instrumental section is also another reason to start jumping.

1. Hello Sweet World
This is Gangs of Ballet’s magnum opus – a terrific song that has so many gorgeous elements and musical sections with piano dominating throughout.
The drums and Brad’s vocals supplement this melody with great lyrics in the verses that build into the chorus. The verse has a melancholy tone in the beginning but gradually gets more positive as the sun seems to shine brighter as the song progresses. ‘Someone’s got to fight for you,’ is a great line in the bridge of the song that has a great instrumental distorted section, before it segues back into the chorus where Brad softly sings, ‘Hello, sweet world. Yeah, hello sweet world.’