TV On The Radio - Careful You

TV on the Radio are the types to put their lyrics at the very forefront, in fancily packaged booklets or, if they’re pushed to do it, they might even upload the bloody words on Songmeanings themselves.

There’s a purpose to it all - as life trudges on and the band go through their own personal tragedies, these words cut like a knife. “You’ve done a number on my heart, and things will never be the same,” is the standout on ‘Careful You’, an admittedly indecisive track that defies the pitfalls of a relationship by screaming “I will care for you” until a repeated mantra starts sounding believable.

It’s all declared on top of a bulbous, wobbling wall of synth, probably the most formidable delving into electronics they’ve happened upon to date. It’s bold, bellowed out from the off, whether sung in French of the everyday tongue. And ‘Careful You’ is an impressive example of TV on the Radio continuing to experiment - a closing section of the track dives headfirst into blog-friendly dance territory, like Flume’s been invited for a guest spot at the last minute.

Lyrics are all well and good - and they barely make a mis-step here - but it’s what’s under the surface that makes ‘Careful You’ a strong contender for ‘Seeds’’ standout track.