TV On The Radio - Crying

Coming across like a long-lost Prince B-side, TV On The Radio get funky on their new single, ‘Crying’, imploring you to at least dance a bit while the world is burning. With lyrics that more than hint at the horror found in contemporary headlines, the band doesn’t seem to be too encumbered by their surroundings to keep them from creating an uptempo anthem for these turbulent times. The vocals are handled in tandem by Kyp Malone, who takes the low end at the start of the track, and Tunde Adebimpe, who chimes in on the high pitch of the chorus. The moody synths and snarling guitar riff punctuates the earnestness and the urgency of the track, which seems to build and build until its inevitable release in a cacophony of horns and musical flourishes.

With astute lyrics like ‘Gold is another word for Culture, leads to fattening of the vultures, until this bird can barely fly,’ this song has a deeper layer than the typical dance floor fillers. And that is indeed what separates TVoTR from most bands, their uncanny ability to move a crowd while also providing something insightful and poignant to think about after you’re done dancing. The production, again handled by guitarist David Andrew Sitek, is flawless, and allows for different elements of the song to shine through at opportune moments, all the while maintaining an organic, as opposed to electronic, feel. The group continues to push sonic boundaries with their music while never managing to repeat themselves, and are constantly coming up with something innovative and challenging to both the band and the listener. If TV On The Radio are indeed providing us with a soundtrack for the coming apocalypse, ‘Crying’ proves to be a much better alternative than the news.