TV on the Radio Find Ignorance in Bliss in New Song ‘Happy Idiot’
TV on the Radio have just issued “Happy Idiot,” the first song from their upcoming fifth studio album, Seeds, which is due out November 18th. A skittery, new-wavey beat and nimbly clanging guitar line provide a soundtrack for lyrics about enjoying simplicity (“I’m a happy idiot, waving at cars”) but its theme is “ignorance is bliss” – especially when coming off a recently ended relationship. “I’m a happy idiot to keep my mind off you,” sings co-vocalist Kyp Malone.
Seeds will be TV on the Radio‘s first album since the 2011 death of bassist Gerard Smith. The group issued its last album, Nine Types of Light, eight days before the 36-year-old musician lost his battle with lung cancer, a disease he had been diagnosed with just the previous month. “We’ve been through a lot of stuff in the past few years that could have stopped the band cold,” vocalist Tunde Adebimpe said in a statement regarding Seeds 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 record is, 1,000 percent, without a doubt, the best thing we’ve ever done.”
Last year, the group put out two new songs: “Million Miles,” a ballad with an ecologically themed video, and the upbeat, dance-rock number “Mercy.”
In addition to putting out Seeds in the fall, the group is embarking on a North American tour, beginning with an appearance at Denver’s Riot Fest. The band is offering people who preorder Seeds through its official online store the opportunity to begin buying tickets for some dates of the tour before they go on sale.
TV on the Radio Tour Dates:
September 21 – Denver, CO @ Riot Fest
October 17 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl (Supporting Massive Attack)
October 18 – Big Sur, CA @ Henry Miller Library
October 19 – San Francisco, CA @ Treasure Island Music Festival
October 22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Regent
October 24 – Joshua Tree, CA @ Pappy & Harriets
October 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ Life Is Beautiful
November 12 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix
November 13 – Montreal, QC @ Corona
November 14 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
November 16 – Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
November 17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
November 18 – New York, NY @ The Apollo Theater
November 21 – Brooklyn, N Y @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
November 22 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg