Cutouts
It’s been a busy year for Thom Yorke, even without any new Radiohead releases. Between his solo work and his projects with The Smile, he’s been putting out a ton of new music.
This latest album from The Smile actually surprised me a lot. “Foreign Spies” and “Don’t Get Me Started” felt a bit directionless (and to be real, they still do), while tracks like “Zero Sum” and “Bodies Laughing” had cool ideas but didn’t fully click as complete songs. But after running through the whole album, I realized that slightly scattered, disjointed vibe is intentional—and somehow, it works.
I’m not sure if these songs are B-sides from their last two records (the title hints at that), but the album definitely has that kind of feel. It’s a little messy, with some quick tonal shifts and weird pacing. But honestly? As a full experience, it still works. I will say, though, that the singles ended up being some of the weaker moments here, especially the first couple I mentioned.
Compared to Wall of Eyes from earlier this year, which I loved for its patient, atmospheric soundscapes, this album leans into a darker, groovier sound. “Instant Psalm” and “Colours Fly” stand out with their experimental vibes, and the organic instrumentation on those tracks is top-notch. Plus, Thom’s vocals on “Eyes & Mouth” are some of his best in recent memory.
Unfortunately, the second half of the album doesn’t hit quite as hard. “Don’t Get Me Started” works a little better in the context of the album, but it’s still too long for what it is, clocking in at nearly six minutes—the longest track here. “Tiptoe” is interesting if you’re into string arrangements (which I am), but it’s definitely rough around the edges. I feel the same about “The Slip” and “No Words”—they do their job, but they don’t really go above and beyond. “Bodies Laughing” as the closer works, though—no complaints there.
Overall, I went into this expecting to rate it somewhere around the earlier album, and maybe even lower based on the singles, but there’s enough creativity and cool ideas here to justify giving the whole thing a listen. It’s probably more of an album I’ll pull individual songs from than one I’ll revisit in full, but it’s definitely got some gems.
THE SMILE - CUTOUTS
RATING - 7.8/10
FAVORITE TRACK - Zero Sum
GENRE - Alt, Indie, Rock