Who doesn’t enjoy free parking? Well, prepare to embark on a whimsical journey through the sonic realms of "Free Parking," the enchanting release by Brighton's art-rock funsters, Youth Sector. Like a kaleidoscope of musical colors, this boisterous and cheeky opus beckons with open arms.
Within the lyrical tapestry lies a metaphorical voyage, where fears of growing old and losing the spark of life intertwine. It evolves into a surreal tale of seeking elusive parking spaces in an imaginary toy village, a testament to the playful spirit within us all. With each note, Youth Sector weaves a tapestry of infectious joy and jerky rhythms, a vibrant mosaic of sound that resonates with the echoes of Devo fed on a diet of pop supplements.
"Free Parking" dances with a radiant charm, its melodies like sunbeams casting their enchanting spell. As the music surges, it becomes a testament to the boundless possibilities of imagination and the refusal to succumb to the mundane. Let Youth Sector guide you through this sonic odyssey, where pop meets indie to infuse every moment with an irresistible zest for life.
So surrender to the whimsy, surrender to the poetry, and allow the melodic waves of "Free Parking" to transport you to a realm where youth and adventure intertwine in harmonious celebration.
“This one comes from the bones of an old song that got started years ago but it wasn't quite there. I always liked the riff and I had the "four miles, five miles" sections so never quite tossed it out, and eventually in 2021 had another stab at it and overhauled most of the original song. In all its iterations though, the song has always been about the fear of getting old and boring, and the "four miles, five miles for free parking" line refers to those dull exchanges grumbling about how far you had to go to find somewhere to park. In the final version, the metaphor took a life of its own and morphed into a surreal town planning session where I deal with the logistical issues of finding parking for the residents of a toy village: "these plastic people's plastic permits only work in the week / how will they meet their plastic pals if they can't park on the cheap?" - Youth Sector
Review by Thomas Imposter