Going on their fourth decade of releasing music, Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke, previously of Radiohead fame, are still finding ways to push boundaries in their respective musical spaces and create sounds that are still turning heads. Combining elements of electronica, chamber rock, post stylings and a sense of grandiosity to experiment further with a sound that’s ever-developing. 

And with the involvement of veteran drummer, Tom Skinner, the band’s members hold a sound that still remains unique in the culture and genre which they pioneered almost 40 years ago. 

“Cutouts” is an album which carries a weight and presence similar to the previous efforts of the Smile, such as “Wall of Eyes” released earlier this year, and their debut “A Light For Attracting Attention,’ released in 2022. Although “Cutouts” provides a much more electronic and colder front, the experience within the band really shines within this album.

Thom Yorke’s unaging voice is just as serene, haunting and powerful as it was 30 years ago; Jonny Greenwood’s guitar work is excellent with all of its frantic delay patterns and inventive melodies, as well as his dazzling string and synth arrangements which are on full display throughout the album; and lastly Tom Skinners’ incredibly intricate and detailed drumming provides a strong form behind the myriad of complex rhythms and time signatures. 

With “Cutouts,” The Smile are able to move past the pressures of expectations, embracing experimentation and exploring sounds that challenge conventional boundaries.

Released: October 4, 2024

Genre: Alternative Rock, Post Rock, Art Rock, Experimental