David Byrne Shares New Single “T-Shirt,” Co-Written with Brian Eno

David Byrne, photo by Shervin Lainez

As he continues to wind around the country with his high-concept live show, David Byrne has shared “T-Shirt,” a new studio single. The Talking Heads frontman’s latest offering follows his ninth solo studio album Who Is The Sky?, which arrived to widespread acclaim in September, and has been a setlist staple on the tour supporting his release.

“T-Shirt” was co-written by Byrne and Brian Eno, whose relationship as oddball confidants and collaborators has transformed the musical mainstream since 1978’s More Songs About Buildings and Food. Like the material that made it onto Who Is The Sky?, it turns Byrne’s quirky introspection outward, yielding curiously insightful musings on human behavior. This time around, he’s turned his critical eye on the slogans printed on graphic t-shirts, gesturing wildly at the absurdity of clothing as a mode of communication. “Look at my shirt, my love,” he sings. “It’s the only way that I can talk to you.”

Sonically, Byrne’s latest is a jittery and infectious pop-funk anthem that’s right at home among the eye-popping shades of idiosyncratic art pop that color Who Is The Sky? In his meticulously choreographed stage show, the artist and his ensemble of jumpsuit-clad dancers and instrumentalists perform the song before a series of common identity graphics, which also rotate in the official music video.

“T-Shirt” is available on all streaming platforms now. Find more information on Byrne and his ongoing tour here.