New - TV On The Radio: Happy Idiot

It's been three years since TV On The Radio last released an album - with the group taking a much-needed pause after the death of bassist Gerard Smith (second from the right, above) from lung cancer.

"We've been through a lot of stuff in the past few years that could have stopped the band cold," said singer Tunde Adebimpe in a statement earlier this year. "But I'm glad we got it together and took stock of the unique connection we have between each other because the [new] record is 1,000%, without a doubt, the best thing we've ever done."

On the evidence presented here, he could be right. Powered by a nimble guitar riff and an energetic new-wave beat, Happy Idiot is a hymn to ignoring your problems in the hope they'll go away. "I'm a happy idiot waving at cars," sings co-vocalist Kyp Malone.

Of course, bottling up your feelings can only lead to trouble - and I suspect the new album, Seeds, will delve into the consequences... For now, though, enjoy three minutes of big dumb fun.

TV On The Radio - Happy Idiot

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