Label: XL Recordings
By George Ward
The Smile is made up of Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner of jazz outfit Sons Of Kemet. Their debut album ‘A Light For Attracting Attention’ brilliantly fused all three members’ unique skills into an experimental, hypnotic and surprisingly fresh project.
Now, less than two years later, we have their second album, ‘Wall Of Eyes‘. Luckily, their debut was not a one-off. A more meditative album, ‘Wall Of Eyes‘ builds its own wonderful, unnerving world and keeps you fascinated by its surroundings for its entire runtime.
The title track ‘Wall Of Eyes’ is just as odd a choice for an opener as it was for a single. With a simple acoustic guitar backing Yorke’s characteristically haunting vocals, the track crawls its way under your skin, slowly building with eerie strings, glitchy guitar tinkles and almost inaudible rumbling drums.
‘Teleharmonic’ maintains this eerie tone with another slow-build that is more than worth the wait. Thom Yorke’s vocals are truly sounding just as strong as ever, completely controlled and deliberate on every word. As it unfolds layer by layer, we’re treated to some of the most gorgeous textures of the album; wear good headphones and let the flutes, drones and Skinner’s subtle drums wash over you.
‘Read The Room’ is where this record comes into its own and separates itself from the Radiohead expectations. Yorke’s vocals are just as confident and sassy as they were on their debut; as much as I love his angelic falsetto, it’s a treat to see him experimenting with his vocals so playfully.
The central riff is so sinister and theatrical, as is the final build, which constantly keeps you on your toes, tiptoeing into optimism before turning 180 degrees into dread once again. The drums here remind me of Squid’s Ollie Judge, with complex rhythms and just as full of character as the guitars, bass and vocals. Skinner’s presence on this album is absolutely essential and his style is integral to The Smile’s identity; don’t let the bigger names distract you from that.
Continuing this playfully dark streak is ‘Under Our Pillows,’ which sees Greenwood experimenting once again with exaggerated guitar delay, in a very similar way to the previous album’s ‘Thin Thing’. While this track does not hit quite as hard as the former, this style of guitar still sounds so fresh and unique that I would happily listen to a whole album of it. It creates an otherworldly uncanny effect that is very difficult to describe.
‘Friend Of A Friend’ brings the pace back down with a deceptively simple, ballad-like sound similar to that of Father John Misty. The chord progression is so romantic and the way Yorke plays with it is a joy to listen to. The string arrangements and piano part fuse together into one of the most beautiful moments of the record.
‘Bending Hectic’ is undoubtedly the highlight overall. This is the most exciting a Radiohead side project has ever sounded and makes us calling The Smile that seem completely reductive. The way the track builds in its lengthy intro, with Yorke’s hushed, fragile vocals, Greenwood’s emotional and exaggerated guitar bends and Skinner’s understated drums is masterful.
Then, with an insanely tense build up of discordant strings, the track explodes into one of the most satisfying climaxes of the last few years. It is far heavier than anything that these musicians have written for years and feels completely liberating, exciting and cathartic to listen to.
While ‘Bending Hectic’ does seem like the natural conclusion to ‘Wall Of Eyes‘, ‘You Know Me!’ takes us back to the opener’s eerie peacefulness, rounding off the project satisfyingly.
If their debut hadn’t convinced you, ‘Wall Of Eyes‘ certainly will; The Smile is entirely its own beast and is more than capable to make records as complex, experimental and exciting as Radiohead. To see these musicians create music like this so late into their careers is such a pleasure and is extraordinarily impressive.
Listen to ‘Wall Of Eyes’ here: