The Radiohead drops Lyrical Depth and Emotional Resonance.
**Review: The Smile’s *Cutouts* – As Intricately Crafted as Radiohead, but with Added Groove**
The Smile, the experimental trio featuring Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood alongside Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner, has continued to push musical boundaries with their latest release, *Cutouts*. Following their acclaimed debut *A Light for Attracting Attention*, *Cutouts* blends the intricate craftsmanship fans expect from Yorke and Greenwood with an infectious, driving groove courtesy of Skinner’s polyrhythmic mastery. The result is a collection of tracks that are as cerebral and sonically rich as Radiohead’s best work, yet also surprisingly danceable, a rare combination that sets *Cutouts* apart.
### Complex and Intricate Soundscapes
From the very first track, *Cutouts* showcases the band’s ability to craft layered, intricate soundscapes. Greenwood’s signature guitar work—angular, eerie, and sometimes soothing—blends seamlessly with Yorke’s haunting vocals and Skinner’s complex drumming patterns. Tracks like “Edge of the Knife” and “Simulacrum” demonstrate the band’s technical prowess, with shifting time signatures and unusual chord progressions that keep listeners engaged, dissecting each layer of sound.
But unlike the brooding and often sparse arrangements of Radiohead’s more minimalist records, The Smile injects a rhythmic energy that gives the music a sense of propulsion. Skinner’s drumming isn’t just a background framework but a driving force, weaving intricate beats and grooves that provide a dynamic counterbalance to the ethereal nature of Yorke’s vocals and Greenwood’s guitar work.
### The Groove: A New Dimension
Where Radiohead is often known for introspective, at times claustrophobic soundscapes, *Cutouts* lets the music breathe with moments of groove and rhythm that are more visceral and immediate. Tracks like “Sinewaves in the Dust” and “False Windows” are prime examples of this, combining Yorke’s haunting, melancholic melodies with irresistibly tight, syncopated grooves that border on jazz and afrobeat influences.
Skinner’s contributions stand out especially here, bringing a looseness and improvisational feel that pulls the music in a more rhythmic direction without sacrificing its complexity. His background with the jazz-leaning Sons of Kemet gives The Smile an edge in terms of sheer rhythmic dexterity, allowing the band to experiment with beats and time signatures in ways that feel fresh and unpredictable.
On “Fragmentary,” for example, Skinner’s drumming starts with a syncopated groove before expanding into a kaleidoscopic pattern that pushes Yorke’s falsetto vocals into new territory, creating a moment that’s as emotionally charged as it is physically engaging. This balance between heady introspection and an irresistible groove is where *Cutouts* truly shines.
### Lyrical Depth and Emotional Resonance
As with much of Yorke’s work, *Cutouts* doesn’t shy away from tackling big themes—alienation, identity, and the tension between humanity and technology are recurring motifs. Tracks like “Mirrors” and “Static Reflections” see Yorke at his most poetic, delivering abstract yet emotionally charged lyrics that are open to interpretation. The sparse, sometimes cryptic nature of his words gives listeners space to project their own meanings, a hallmark of his songwriting that invites deep emotional investment.
Despite the sometimes dark subject matter, *Cutouts* maintains a sense of energy and drive that sets it apart from the more introspective mood of Radiohead’s *A Moon Shaped Pool* or *The King of Limbs*. Even at its most melancholy, the album never feels stagnant; there’s always a pulse, a rhythm pushing things forward, reminding listeners that the music exists not just to be pondered, but to be felt.
### The Smile’s Unique Identity
While The Smile inevitably invites comparisons to Radiohead, *Cutouts* proves that the group is far more than just a side project. There’s a distinct identity emerging here, one that’s not afraid to blend genres and push boundaries in new ways. The interplay between Yorke, Greenwood, and Skinner feels effortless, as if the three musicians have tapped into a new kind of synergy.
Greenwood’s multi-instrumental brilliance is on full display, incorporating elements of classical composition and electronic manipulation in tracks like “Tessellations,” while Yorke’s voice, as ethereal and vulnerable as ever, feels more grounded by the rhythmic backbone Skinner provides. The end result is music that’s as intellectually stimulating as anything Radiohead has done, but with a new emphasis on groove and momentum that adds an exhilarating dimension.
### Conclusion: A Masterclass in Experimental Groove
With *Cutouts*, The Smile has created something that feels both familiar and entirely new. The intricate craftsmanship of the music will appeal to longtime Radiohead fans, but the added groove and rhythmic complexity give the album a sense of urgency and vitality that feels distinctly their own. It’s a record that invites both deep listening and physical movement, a rare combination that makes it one of the most compelling releases of the year.
The Smile proves that experimentation doesn’t have to come at the expense of accessibility—*Cutouts* is a masterclass in balancing complexity with groove, and it’s a journey that is as rewarding as it is challenging.
