From the studio to the stage
Rather than chasing global stadium runs with a single narrative, Radiohead has shifted focus toward the artistry of sound itself. The group seems to value creative impulse over commercial calculation, a stance that mirrors their broader exploration of music as an enduring craft rather than a touring machine. When the band paused after A Moon Shaped Pool in 2016, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood did not simply wait: they expanded their horizons, channeling energy into The Smile, a new project that invited freedom from the familiar dynamics of the parent group. The partnership with drummer Tom Skinner, known for his work with Sons of Kemet, added a fresh heartbeat to the collaboration, signaling a fresh path while preserving the DNA of Radiohead’s adventurous spirit. This evolution demonstrates how two core voices can push into new sonic territories without abandoning the essence of their earlier work.
From the laboratory to the real world
Wall of Eyes invites listeners into a journey that feels daring yet approachable. The record carries bold textures and moments of unease, but beneath the tension lies a melodic warmth that steadying the listener’s pulse. Compared with the debut album A Light to Call Attention from 2022, this newer release reads as more lived-in and human, even when it veers into the uncanny. The opening track introduces a lo-fi bossa nova mood that gently frames Yorke’s exploration of loneliness within a crowded environment, hinting at how individuality persists in crowds and how private longing can surface in public spaces.
The album wanders across a spectrum of textures, weaving abstract guitar riffs with moments of dissonance that punctuate tracks like Read the Room and Under Our Pillows. There are sections where math rock tendencies echo the jagged edges heard in classic avant-garde rock, yet the record never loses sight of emotion as its center. A simple piano-based piece arises with subtle percussion and strings, transforming into a larger tapestry that foregrounds human connection against a brisk musical backdrop. The collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra adds a cinematic layer, using orchestral colors to explore relationships and the masks people wear in social interaction. The overarching mood remains intimate, even when the arrangements push toward broader sonic landscapes.
The climactic moment, Bending Hectic, unfolds with a long, ascending arc that evokes a sense of ascent and escape. The imagery of gliding down mountain roads at high speed suggests a desperate liberation, a moment when the music seems to outrun the day while inviting listeners to slow down and take stock. Cathedral, another centerpiece, embodies the project’s exhilaration and sense of emancipation from external expectations. In these arcs, The Smile projects an ethos of creative freedom, inviting audiences to hear Blooming moments of joy amid moments of existential reflection. The band’s willingness to depart from conventional expectations becomes a statement about artistic autonomy and the joy of making music for its own sake.