Brighton art-rock quintet, Youth Sector, have just released their epic new EP, Quarrels. Bursting with whip-smart bangers, the band fizz with kinetic energy, while “lovingly combining beeps with boops since 2018.” Each track on the EP feels like a ready-made hit, rich with sing-along anthems from the funk-laden riffs of ‘The Ball’,’ reflecting recent political scandals, to ‘A Definitive Guide to Easy Living,’ giving a social commentary on anti-homeless architecture. The track juxtaposes the themes with a high-octane energy that could easily fit in a Talking Heads or DEVO album.
Like a coiled spring, their lyrics offer “a sense of catharsis for the confusion of modern adult life.” Tinged with new wave, retro charm, their electric anthems have had audiences enthralled. Their rapturous set at The Prince Albert in Brighton was woven with wit and showmanship at their sold-out EP launch show. It was flawless, propulsive, professional and technically dazzling, creating a high-voltage circuitry between the audience and the band that could light up a stadium.
The coastal five-piece have been gaining huge momentum, whipping up a devoted fan base with sold-out shows across the board, becoming one of the South’s most buzzed-about bands, recently completing a highly-hyped run of shows at The Great Escape and SXSW. The last two years have seen them appear on a string of tours with the likes of Goat Girl, Darwin Deez, Cheap Teeth, Our Girl, Courting and Walt Disco, seeing extensive support from BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1 and many more.
After releasing the immense singles ‘A Definitive Guide To Easy Living’, ‘The Ball’ and ‘Benign Fire In A Small Room’, the new EP Quarrels is accompanied by a released visualiser for ‘Won’t Stop the Wheel.’ Rich with swung groove, this track was made to be sung live with the repetition of ‘Won’t Stop the Wheels from Turning Round and Round” and ‘Life is just a hill and we are all just rolling down.’ Despite the inevitability of the theme, there is energy and unity in a room full of people singing at the top of their lungs.
Speaking about their latest EP, Youth Sector said,
“We recorded Quarrels in Leeds which is quickly becoming a bit of a second hometown for us. We worked with producer Matt Peel for the first time which was a delight – working with Matt taught us to rethink our approach to recording in a lot of really positive ways. Alongside our amazing friend and artist Annie Mackinnon (who did all the artwork) we settled on the medieval theme for the artwork/EP title.
It felt appropriate because the themes of the EP songs portray such a regressive, post-Brexit reflection of British life and society at this moment in time. It can feel a little like we’ve moved backwards to a very hostile, brutal country that’s totally out of step with modern aspirations. Not to mention it was also loads of fun commissioning a painting of Nick T being literally murdered by the other band members and an assortment of medieval beasts. The songs feel stronger and more decisive stylistically and lyrically than anything we’ve done before and we’re really proud of the material.”
Following the EP release, Youth Sector will play their biggest shows and festivals so far this summer, with the current dates listed below. Catch them while you can!
Live Summer Dates 2023
June
30th – Engine Room, North Shields
July
1st – Munro Festival, Stockton on Tees
21st – Ludlow Castle (with Kaiser Chiefs)
22nd – Warwick Castle (with Kaiser Chiefs)
28th – Trebur Open Air Festival, Germany
Quarrels is out now. See here for EP details and show tickets: Youth Sector | Linktree
