A new They Might Be Giants EP is definitely something to shout about. The announcement that one was coming only came out late last week and now it’s here. Behold Eyeball. It’s so TMBG but also pushes in new directions. Title track “Eyeball” has all their usual hallmarks: a distinctive medley of sometimes-competing, sometimes-overlapping vocals, a unique array of instrument choices, and – always – a solid hook thrown in somewhere. And yet some elements of the melodic arc that play out here sound like nothing I’ve heard the duo do before.  Certainly multi-playable, even in one sitting! The EP contains two other originals “The Glamour of Rock” and “Peggy Guggeheim,” the former an example of the band’s stylistic flexibility – jazzy, a bit western, and stagey – very musicalish, while the latter is a horn-based instrumental workout. It’s a combo you won’t get anywhere else. The EP also includes a stripped-down version of “Eyeball” that really allows the song to breathe. As an EP it’s not really very extended, running to just 9 minutes. But I don’t think TMBG fans really mind because the band behind ‘dial a song’ never phone it in. Every note that makes the cut of any TMBG release has been carefully chosen and lovingly rendered. They might be the most serious band to not take themselves seriously. All this is a teaser prelude to their 24^th full album of original tunes, due out sometime this spring.

Yes, They Might Be Giants have done it again, delivered a hooky little marvel just when we needed it most (these days, that’s just about any time). Give in to the genius that is TMBG!