Following their critically acclaimed debut album Black & White Movie, Liverpool-born singer-songwriter Andrew Gower and his band Gustaffson are back with their latest single, Dance To The Algorithm.
Produced in collaboration with Elbow’s Craig Potter, the track is an uptempo retro-funk anthem that questions how we consume music in 2025, provocatively asking: “Do you dance to the algorithm?”
Potter’s vibrant production draws inspiration from early Mark Ronson Motown sounds, perfectly complementing Gustaffson’s sharp, succinct delivery and cinematic storytelling.
A modern classic which gives us a taste of what’s to come from Gustaffson in 2026 as the band continues to explore how music connects us in a digital world, while maintaining their signature lush, widescreen sound.
Speaking on the track, Andrew said: “The best artists of years gone by have all proven you can writeabout 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 accompanying music video, directed by lead singer Andrew Gower, explores a lonely astronaut’s journey through Manchester in a quest to find real music in a confusing algorithmic world. It follows a long list of artistic Film & TV collaborations, creating stand alone and timeless vignettes for Gustaffson’s music.
Gustaffson was formed by Andrew Gower and lifelong friend James Webster (guitarist and co-writer).The band’s collaboration with Craig Potter began serendipitously on a film set, ultimately leading to the recording of Black & White Movie at Blueprint Studios in Manchester, the same studio where Potter recorded Elbow’s Mercury Prize-winning album The Seldom Seen Kid.
The debut album featured new band members David Gleave (bass), Liam Morson (keys), and Graham Bennett (drums).
Gustaffson will perform two special headline shows this November, appearing at Low Four Studio, Manchester on Friday 21 November, which will include a Q&A with BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and Elbow’s Craig Potter.
The Courtyard Theatre, London on Thursday 27 November, where the band will showcase Dance To The Algorithm alongside highlights from Black & White Movie, offering fans a glimpse into their evolving sound and creative vision.
Black & White Movie achieved critical and commercial success, reaching #14 in the Official Record Store Charts, being featured in Rolling Stone’s “7 Albums You Need To Hear This Week,” and earning praise from Jo Whiley, Chris Hawkins, Guy Garvey, and Gaby Roslin.
The band celebrated with a spectacular sold-out show at London’s Bush Hall in May 2025. In addition to his music career, Gower is renowned for his acting in acclaimed TV shows including
Black Mirror, Outlander, and Carnival Row. Gustaffson collaborated with some of film and TV’s finest talent, including Daniel Ings (The Gentleman), Sue Johnston OBE (The Royle Family), and BAFTA-winning director Andy Goddard (Downton Abbey), flying against the trend for short, throwaway social-media clips to create some truly moving, cinematic music videos.
LIVE DATES
Fri 21 Nov – Low Four Studio, Manchester (Q&A with Chris Hawkins & elbows Craig Potter)
Thu 27 Nov – Courtyard Theatre, London
Rolling Stone UK “The vivid musical world that Gower has created here is truly Technicolor”
Jo Whiley – BBC Radio 2 “I love the drama. I love the drama of this. So good.”
Chris Hawkins – BBC Radio 6 “This will stop you in your tracks. A thing of standout beauty”
1883 “Gower brings his cinematic storytelling to life through music”
Hunger “The kind of record that reminds you why people fell in love with music in the first place”
We spoke to Andrew about his gig prep’, thoughts on changes to the industry as well his advice for up and coming artists.
Preparing for a gig would usually involve a 2 hour train journey up to Manchester to rehearse with the rest of the band (they’re all based up there). It’s our go to city for songwriting, rehearsals and studio. I am the only one living south of Milton Keynes in London (for now).
Day of the gig – hopefully all the hard work is done. Load in, Manuka honey, talk through the setlist with the rest of the band and a drink or two before we go on stage.
What do you think of the changes of the music industry now turning to online streams for measures of success?
I think any streaming server that prides itself on numbers (quantity) and statistics over quality will never define success. But after all what is success? Who is successful?
Giles Martin (producer) puts it better than anyone “nowadays people hear music they don’t listen.”
I think the way we consume all art forms has changed. We should encourage music that requires the audience to actively listen. Whether that’s from lyrics, instruments or both – you should make people need to engage.
How are you feeling about your tour?
Very excited to be back on stage in London & Manchester. Our last sold out show was Bush Hall (London) in May, so it’s been awhile. Nothing beats playing live with Gustaffson & telling our stories.
What advice would you give to people wanting to perform live / getting into the music industry?
Find your tribe. The industry can be overwhelming if you go into it thinking
“who will want to work with me?”.
I always advise people to flip that narrative on its head … “who do I want to work with?”.
The producer of your favourite record, promoter of that great gig you went to see or the sound engineers assistant of the video you just liked … reach out to these people.
Send them your music. Find your own tribe.
Oh and when you’re writing a song, always write it for the audience. Not for yourself.
Review
Dance To The Algorithm, tells the story of people being so far removed from the realities of life, showcasing parts of the city of Manchester as a spaceman dances in the music video. You see the beauty of the place and start to appreciate the joys of stepping outside and being emerged in what our reality is.
The spacesuit shows that barrier, a reminder that you’re an alien to the world if you are out of it. ‘You need real life’ a verse that resonates with us all, ‘this machine doesn’t ask my opinion’ a thought provoking statement, and ‘I was born with a notebook power’ this hit home, is the art of writing dying out? Are we all just keyboard warriors trapped looking down at our phones.
Andrew’s mellifluous and soulful voice alongside the bands melodic charm gives a charismatic and enchanting feel to the track. Dance To The Algorithm makes you stop and think, we should all just look up, go outside and be human.
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Musik Magazine 2025
