Photo Credit: Sumner Dilworth
After 10 years of waiting, TV On The Radio have returned to celebrate the 20th anniversary edition of Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes. Set to release on Nov. 15 via Touch and Go Records, the pathbreaking indie-rock ensemble’s milestone reissue adds five bonus tracks, including two previously unreleased offerings, to the explosive 2004 debut project. To preview the collection, the band has shared “Final Fantasy,” recognizable as an early version of “Bomb Yourself.”
Alongside staples like “Dreams,” “Poppy” and “Staring at the Sun,” which now has an accompanying demo, the deluxe reissue also features “New Health Rock,” “Modern Romance,” “Final Fantasy” and “Dry Drunk Emperor.” The group’s latest release, the unheard demo “Final Fantasy,” proves the timeless quality of the Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes. While original tracks like “Bomb Yourself” were composed in response to the sociopolitical climate of the early 2000s, the charged lyrics of “Final Fantasy,” and the band’s timeless sonic fingerprint of buzzing synths and densely layered harmonies, feel very current.
Following the Nov. 15 release, TV On The Radio–now Tunde Adebimpe, Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton–is set for a series of live performances in late November and early December, marking the end of a five-year break from the stage. The Brooklyn-bred ensemble will re-enter the scene with a four-night hometown series at New York’s Webster Hall from Nov. 25 to Nov. 30. In early December, the band will head to the Golden State for a trio of performances at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on Dec. 4, 5 and 7 before closing out the year with three shows at London’s Islington Assembly Hall on Dec. 10-12. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 10:00 a.m. local time; visit tvontheradio.com for details.
“Final Fantasy” is out now, and the forthcoming reissue is available for pre-order. Read on for a full tracklist and list of upcoming tour dates.
Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes 20th Anniversary Edition – TV On The Radio
1. The Wrong Way
2. Dreams
3. King Eternal
4. Ambulance
5. Poppy
6. Don’t Love You
7. Bomb Yourself
8. Wear You Out
9. Staring At The Sun
10. You Could Be Love
11. Staring At The Sun (Demo)*
12. New Health Rock (single)*
13. Modern Romance (from the “New Health Rock” single)*
14. Final Fantasy (2004 recording)*
15. Dry Drunk Emperor (2005 recording)*
*bonus tracks
Upcoming TV On The Radio Tour Dates:
Nov. 25 – Webster Hall – New York
Nov. 26 – Webster Hall – New York
Nov. 29 – Webster Hall – New York
Nov. 30 – Webster Hall – New York
Dec. 4 – El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles
Dec. 5 – El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles
Dec. 7 – El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles
Dec. 10 – Islington Assembly Hall – London, England
Dec. 11 – Islington Assembly Hall – London, England
Dec. 12 – Islington Assembly Hall – London, England