We’re no longer expecting a new album from Radiohead: the English group hasn’t released anything since A Moon Shaped Pool, in 2016, and there’s absolutely no question of them ending this silence. On the other hand, the members of the group, although in dispersed order, continue to be active. Two of them, and not the least (singer Thom Yorke, and guitarist Jonny Greenwood) assembled The Smile, a fairly exciting formation.
Barely two years after a remarkable first album, the trio (drummer Tom Skinner completes the trio) offers Wall Eyes, their new production. The compositions, free and airy, flourish in the inventive and often daring arrangements of the three musicians. Between guitars, drums and more evanescent sounds, the pieces are inhabited by the voice of Thom Yorke, who demonstrates very strong intensity throughout the record. Radiohead regulars will not be disconcerted, even if Nigel Godrich, producer of the previous album, has given way to Sam Petts-Davies, collaborator of Thom Yorke.
We are closer to the climates of kraut-rock than to English pop, even if we also detect some rhythmic elements present in afro-beat. This sounds less pretentious than Radiohead’s last albums, which suffered from a rather pontificating side. Here, the musicians seem to take pleasure in unsettling with atypical structures and a permanently present playful side.
Wall Eyes, 1 Cd ou 1 LP XL Records.
