The Smile is a British rock project formed by Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, partnered with Tom Skinner from Sons of Kemet. The group is preparing a follow up to its debut album, and the members confirmed in an email newsletter that additional performances have been lined up as part of a North American summer tour. The note hinted at ongoing work on new material, though specific details about songs or release dates were not disclosed in that message. A publication outlet known for music coverage described the update as signaling a coming wave of new recordings from the trio.
During the height of the 2020s lockdowns, The Smile began as a side project that quickly established its own identity beyond the members’ primary bands. The project emerged in the coronavirus era and first gained attention with performances tied to the Glastonbury festival’s virtual edition. The group released its debut studio album, A Light for Attracting Attention, on May 13, 2022, a collection that fused Yorke and Greenwood’s familiar atmospheres with Skinner’s drumming style and a broader experimental edge. The reception highlighted the band’s ability to translate studio ambition into a palpable live presence, expanding the spectrum of what a side project could become.
Fans and critics have noted the unusual yet intuitive chemistry among the members. Yorke is known for his melodic instinct and political lyric sensibilities, Greenwood brings intricate guitar textures and sonic layering, and Skinner adds a supple rhythmic backbone that can swing from meditative ambience to kinetic propulsion. Together, they have cultivated a sound that sits somewhere between intimate piano-driven passages and expansive, guitar-driven crescendos. The North American circuit for this summer is expected to showcase that range in a live setting, with performances that may feature new material alongside the ensemble’s established catalog.
Looking ahead, industry observers anticipate that the group will balance studio time with touring as they move toward new recordings. The team behind the project has historically emphasized a careful approach to releasing music, prioritizing sonic clarity and artistic cohesion. Even as the exact form of the forthcoming material remains under wraps, the project’s momentum suggests a deliberate push to share fresh work with audiences in the near future. The update in the newsletter aligns with this trajectory, signaling ongoing creative development and a commitment to expanding the band’s catalog with ambitious new pieces.
Earlier statements from associates connected to Radiohead, including Phil Selway, hinted at continued material output from The Smile in the coming years. Those remarks contributed to a growing sense that the band would maintain an active pace in releasing music, balancing studio sessions with live appearances. As the group proceeds, fans can expect a careful blending of experimental textures and accessible melodies that has come to define The Smile’s appeal.