The Smile – ‘Cutouts’ album review: an unstoppable trio
THE SKINNY: In the years since Radiohead released their latest album, A Moon Shaped Pool, fans have been desperate for a follow-up. Instead, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood decided to team up with Tom Skinner from Sons of Kemet and form The Smile. You can hardly complain — The Smile have already released two highly impressive records, and with their third, Cutouts, they’ve proved that their genius hasn’t gone anywhere.
The album is a relentless and bold instrumental journey through frantic riffs and Skinner’s tight drumming, with the band even drawing from Eastern psychedelic influences and, like their previous album, Wall of Eyes, it features beautiful compositions performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra. It has been less than a year since The Smile released Wall of Eyes, a stunning collection of tracks, yet it seems like the band were simply too full of ideas not to share another body of work.
There is no slip in quality here, the group continue to demonstrate their innate ability to make songs that are consistently engaging, emotive, and richly textured. With every song, they give us something fascinating to grip on to, whether that be a pulsating electronic beat or a high-octane guitar riff that demands we brave eroding our corduroy and dance.
Throughout the record, there are elements of old Radiohead tracks that show face, like the electronic layers of Kid A or the cinematic elements of A Moon Shaped Pool. While The Smile are very much their own band, it is interesting to find these sonic continuations in their sound. The fact that Yorke and Greenwood are able to take ideas they’ve honed in Radiohead and use them in a fresh and alternative way in The Smile, which is buoyed by Skinner’s signature drumming style, is a mark of their brilliance.
Over 10 songs, The Smile proves to listeners that they’re only capable of making songs of the highest quality. It is an immersive and all-encompassing record that is at its best when you play it loud, allowing all of the vast textures of sound to wash over you. In its quietest moments, the album is still full of beauty, which simmers beneath the surface, beckoning us closer.
Some songs are ostensibly better than others; for example, ‘Instant Psalm’ stands out like a beacon of light, shining over the rest of the songs with its tremendous gloriousness. Still, there is hardly a moment here that isn’t less than spectacular.
For fans of: Pretending you know a lot more about music than you actually do.
A concluding comment from a diehard Radiohead fan: “Maybe a tenth Radiohead album can wait…”
Cutouts track by track:
Release Date: October 4th | Label: XL Recordings | Producer: Sam Petts-Davies
‘Foreign Spies’: Despite being the opening track, this is arguably one of the weaker songs on the album. Beginning with melancholic synths, it isn’t the most engaging welcome to the record, although it soon picks up and heads towards a more sonically interesting landscape. [3.5/5]
‘Instant Psalm’: This is easily one of the best songs The Smile have ever made. It is so rich with emotion, evoking a nostalgic and contemplative atmosphere that is emphasised by gorgeous strings and flutes that flutter in the background. [5/5]
‘Zero Sum’: Jolting guitars pierce the soundscape, instantly drawing us into a fast-paced world of delightful chaos. You can’t keep still when listening to this one, and as Yorke repeats “that’s another red flag, red flag,” and brass chimes in, you might find yourself needing to pause for breath after listening. [4.5/5]
‘Colours Fly’: Dripping with Eastern influence, the guitars are smooth and buttery, playing over a subtle bassline that helps to bring everything together. “You can change your mind,” Yorke sings. There is mystery here, and you are left needing more – despite the song being almost five minutes long. [4/5]
‘Eyes & Mouth’: As intricate guitars jump and dance over fast drums, the band welcomes some potent keys that give the song a jazz-influenced feel. Yorke’s voice is soulful and rich, making for addictive listening. [4/5]
‘Don’t Get Me Started’: The Smile takes things to a more mellow, synth-led area for the start of this one, which relies on subtle textures and builds to create a full and cinematic atmosphere. [3.5/5]
‘Tiptoe’: This is a particularly beautiful song, with most of the track centring on strings and piano rather than guitars. Yorke’s voice shines in between these gorgeously tender moments of pure sublimity. [4.5/5]
‘The Slip’: The synths that power through this one are strangely danceable, and while this isn’t the most upbeat track on the record, it possesses a groove that will make you want to move. [4/5]
‘No Words’: You can definitely hear sonic parallels with A Moon Shaped Pool on this one, with deep guitars plodding alongside synths at a steady pace. This is a very catchy number that sums up their propensity for imbuing each song with an air of uncertainty and ambience. [4/5]
‘Bodies Laughing’: This is a spectacular closer, which features a perfect blend of evocative synths, moody backing vocals, and Yorke’s unmistakable vocals. He placed emphasis on the corporeal here, with lyrics like “tongues lashing” and “falling on your ass, falling through the glass.” [4/5]
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