An electronic surveillance article (EAS) tag has an articulated body, or housing, having an articulating joint joining two portions, or pods. In one embodiment a first portion, or sensor pod, encloses EAS elements and a second portion, or retention pod, contains a retention mechanism. In one embodiment, the retention pod and sensor pod are connected by a swivel joint. In one embodiment the retention pod encloses a ball clutch. An aperture in the retention pod gives access to an aperture in the ball clutch. A shaft on an attaching element inserts into the clutch to attach the tag to an object. In one embodiment, the attaching element is a lanyard having one end terminating in a shaft and the other end terminating in a connector for forming a loop in the lanyard. Other attaching elements may be used.