REVIEW: YOUTH SECTOR – ADULT CONTEMPORARY EP (2022)

According to their social media page Youth Sector are a Brighton art-rock five-piece lovingly combining beeps with boops since 2018. The comprise Nick Tompkins (lead vocals / guitar), Bradley Moore (lead guitar), Josh Doyle (bass), Nick Smith (synth / keys) and Steve Ray (drums).  They have released a few singles, a four track EP `Mundanity` in 2020 and have a new four track EP `Adult Contemporary’ due out this month which they relate takes aim at a particular sort of societal ill, drawing on the stubborn side of human nature, wayward nationalism, and the climate crisis.

This extended play opens with `Self Exile` which is a delightfully fast paced angular piece with a steady bass line and drums laying a foundation for the guitars to really trade off each other. It had the irregular guitar riffs that to me placed it somewhere between the post punk offerings of Gang Of Four and The Au Pairs. The lyric “That should do it this time” is a cracking earworm and will have you mumbling it all day long. Lead guitarist and vocalist Nick Tompkins explains the track is about feeling self-destructive, cutting your nose to spite your face, and wanting to push yourself away from those around you as punishment. We have a similar vibe with `No 1 Bestseller` which is a cynical reflection on the wellness industry. Again, lead vocalist Nick Tompkins says: “The song is about the pursuit of ‘wellness’, and how it seems as though the industry and culture around wellness is pushing the onus of mental wellbeing onto the individual by selling us books, yoga programs, diet plans and anecdotal fixes.” The track rolls along with a wonderfully mesmeric texture that will really capture you in its musical refrains. There was a slight nod to Talking Heads at times throughout.

`Always Always Always` is another captivating listen which races along at times but does have some brief passages throughout where the pace is less frantic and more thoughtful and reflective. It seems to be a contemplative analogy on the environment and life. A composition relating that life / the ecosystem has / will always been the same and will continue that way unless you decide to make changes, unless that is actually how you want it. I don`t know why but the momentary synth colour at the end added a superb poignancy. This release closes out with `Is Blood` which the band have said is “an attempt to weigh up ‘patriotism’ with the fact that this country, our wealth and our position in the world was built on the suffering of others – we are not deserving of it and it shouldn’t be a source of pride and entitlement”. Again it`s a more probing and questioning number that`s shared over a quite feverish musical backdrop. There`s an interesting phase around the half way mark where the drums beat and the bass strums away as the vocals relay a heartfelt opinion for our consideration.

`Adult Contemporary’  is a cracker and mixes some enthralling post punk / art rock tones with some challenging, examining and possibly uncomfortable lyrical content. I`ve given up predicting as to how far bands could go but if there`s any justice Youth Sector should be up there. These guys are out on the road for a Spring Tour during March and April get along and make your own minds up.

Rating 9/10