It’s gonnna be a Free Love on the Freelove Freeway type of Friday. David Brent, the Office alter ego of British comedian Ricky Gervais, has returned with a new demo: “Slough,” honoring the UK town where the Wernham-Hogg Paper Company of the show’s setting was stationed. The song, which was debuted live by Brent/Gervais last year (and covered by Toro Y Moi!), will be part of the upcoming mockuentary Life on the Road, which follows a now 53-year-old Brent as he attempts to resuscitate his long-dormant musical career (“Still trying to be a pop star and trying to get Simon Cowell‘s eye and trying to have his own YouTube channel,” the actor explains to NME).
Many’s of the geographical and cultural references that pepper the song (“More convenient that a Tesco express / Close to Windsor but the property’s less”) will likely be lost on us Yanks, and it’s just not the same without the mid-song interruptions from Gareth and Tim (“She’s dead!” “She’s NOT dead!”). But as far as fictional songs go, it’s a top-notch production–heavy on the strings, very pretty and gently anthemic, like a post-Britpop hit from Travis or Embrace. Texas would have been proud to have this David Brent opening for them.
