The Smile Excel for the Third Time

The Smile cannot escape comparisons with the legendary Radiohead – it's no wonder since the central duo of Yorke/Greenwood forms the basis of the now iconic formation. In The Smile, however, they are both free to explore music without being tied down by the past and the pressure to make a better record than Kid A or In Rainbows. The Cutouts thus retains a moment of surprise, as the songs were written in a short time frame during tours and random jams.

"Zero Sum" stands out among the tracks with its energetic rhythm and distinctive guitar passages reminiscent of Radiohead. Another track, "Colours Fly," combines elements of desert blues with complex rhythms, while "Instant Psalm" brings an acoustic melody complemented by a string arrangement.

What makes Cutouts so special is its ability to balance between complexity and accessibility. The Smile aren't afraid to experiment, yet they manage to keep the listener engaged throughout the entire album. Tom Skinner's drumming is brilliant – his rhythmic layering and sense of dynamics are the backbone of the record. Yorke and Greenwood prove their musical chemistry once again, bringing moments that can both move and surprise.

One of the album's most interesting moments is the track "Tiptoe," which begins with a gentle, almost whispered introduction dominated by delicate piano chords and barely audible ambient background noise. Tom Skinner contributes subtle percussive elements that evoke the sound of raindrops – his percussion playing sets the atmosphere rather than the rhythm. Gradually the song develops, adding melancholic strings and York's voice, which feels both vulnerable and urgent.

In a similarly neurotic vein, the song "The Words" combines art rock and avant-garde elements. The piece begins with an unsettling, intermittent rhythm that resembles a mechanical ticking. Jonny Greenwood's bass guitar sounds dark and pulsates at irregular intervals, creating tension. Drummer Tom Skinner demonstrates his flair for dynamics – instead of traditional rhythms, he treads a fine line between free-form and structure, giving the track its unique groove.

"The Slip" is just as entertaining, led by mechanical synths, minimalist guitar riffs and a melodic vocal performance from Yorke, who sings light-heartedly about human failure and loss of self-control, ending in an almost surreal and dreamlike mode.

The album closes with the track "Bodies Laughing", which is based on a hypnotic groove. It consists of Jonny Greenwood's minimalist bass and Tom Skinner's drum beat. Their interaction is precise yet relaxed and organic. Subtle guitar lines and synthetic sounds enter the mix, creating a dichotomy between the mechanical and the human.

What can you appreciate about the album as musicians?

The production of the album is clean, yet retains a rawness that adds authenticity to the music. Every note, every whisper and burst of energy has its place. Listening to Cutouts is like travelling between genres – from art rock to jazz influences to ambient surfaces.

The Smile excel not only in energetic and rhythmically complex songs but also in minimalistic and emotional ones. The songs linger in your head long after the last note has faded, and their strength lies in their simplicity and emotional honesty.

Cutouts proves that The Smile still have a lot to offer. It's a joy to listen to – an album that demands attention and rewards every focused listen.

The Smile – Cutouts

Self Help Tapes, 00:44:03

art rock/jazz/elektronic/ambient

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