On 2008's Dear Science, these Brooklyn artistes brought twitchy dance rock with an apocalyptic edge. Well, the end of all things must've been pretty bitchin', because the follow-up is pure heaven. "I'm optimistic, on overload," they sing. TVOTR's most accessible disc rolls out grand alt-rock and thwumping future funk that's warm and grabby — from the arena-Pixies "Caffeinated Consciousness" to the Prince-ly "New Cannonball Blues." Vocalists Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone still have capitalist enslavement and environmental chaos on the brain. But even the song that goes, "Beverly Hills, nuclear winter/What should we wear and who's for dinner?" has a gorgeous whistled refrain.

Exclusive Interview: TV on the Radio at SXSW 2011

Listen to "Will Do":

TV on the Radio Take Los Angeles With 'Nine Types of Light'

Spring Music Preview: Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne and Many More

“Youth Knows No Pain”

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”