Wall of Eyes acts like a loose continuation of the experimentation The Smile played with previously, only delving further into the creative depths they've put themselves in. It's a more adventurous, fun, loose, and experimental album that pushes the trio forward into new territory that even pushes into ways that Radiohead haven't done before.
There of course is no introduction needed for Radiohead but there possibly might be for The Smile. Consisting of Radiohead masterminds Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and jazz drummer / ex-Sons of Kemmet member Tom Skinner, The Smile busted the gates open with A Light for Attracting Attention, an album full of incredible moments that featured a looser, more fun Thom Yorke and some of the best songwriting and batch of songs and compositions we've heard from Yorke and Greenwood in years. Not only that but it also proved to be the best solo/side project from Radiohead yet. Now not too long after comes Wall of Eyes, the group's next studio album. Attracting Attention acts like a greatest hits compilation of sorts that flows well together either in order or on shuffle. Wall of Eyes acts like a loose continuation of the experimentation The Smile played with previously, only delving further into the creative depths they've put themselves in. It's an exciting transition that is hopefully only the beginning for what's to come in the future.
What Wall of Eyes lacks in radio appeal, accessibility, or catchiness only gains in lush detail, color, jamming, sonic surprises, and experimentation. Recorded at Abbey Road studios and with the London Contemporary Orchestra, Wall of Eyes has a lot of beautiful detail and richness to uncover. The opening track and lead single, the title track, is a hauntingly beautiful acoustic jam that steadily moves into a dark, moody abyss with influences of Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. "Teleharmonic" is another moody piece that also evokes a little bit of that jazz influence within the percussion (which comes as no surprise considering Skinner's wonderful jazz background) that has warm synthesizers, bright harmonies, and beautiful melodies from Yorke. "Read the Room" is when the album gets more energy with a brooding jam that features some mathy, repeating guitars that swirl around Yorke's punky vocals. The chorus is super sweet and dreamy, while the song ventures into a fantastic transition towards post rock that rises into a satisfying climax. "Under Our Pillows" continues the one-two punch that "Read the Room" started with even mathier guitars that churn in and out at a fast and breakneck pace (similarly to "Thin Thing" from their previous album) and also transitions into an intensely memorable finish, only this time it has these climactic cinematic strings that rise and rise into an ear-piercing volume.
"Friend of a Friend" is one of the simpler moments on the record stylistically. A classic rock piano ballad, it features excellent piano playing, bass, percussion, and singing in a stunningly hypnotic fashion. "I Quit" is another moodier piece that's pretty minimal with quiet whispery guitars and subtly sharp electronics that pierce through the instrumental. "Bending Hectic" is a dramatic, beautiful, and glorious eight minute epic that's full of twists and turns lyrically about an intense car crash. The finish is quite great and features some of the noisiest guitars we've heard from Yorke in a while. "You Know Me!" closes the album up in a graceful way with a memorably beautiful and classic piano composition from Greenwood and Yorke's soothing voice.
What may seem on the surface to be just leftover ideas from their previous album's sessions, Wall of Eyes certainly isn't that and strongly stands on its own as its own statement. It's a more adventurous, fun, loose, and experimental album that pushes the trio forward into new territory that even pushes into ways that Radiohead haven't done before. It rewards the listener with each new listen and is more inventive and bold while still being captivating and catchy, despite my previous description of it lacking accessibility. I can't wait to see what The Smile do next. They seem to be having so much fun just doing what they do, trying new things and overall just not taking things too seriously or methodically. I'm taking Wall of Eyes in and soaking it up, unknowing whether this will be The Smile's last venture or not. You should too.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Wall of Eyes," "Friend of a Friend," "Under Our Pillows," "Read the Room," "Bending Hectic"
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