Radiohead has become one of those few bands who change their sound in nearly every aspect and become even more successful. From their debut album Pablo Honey, success was brewing for this alternative grunge band. However, they decided to shift their sound to a more electronic, techno rock sound that has stuck with them since 1997. Their new sound paid off, giving them the number one spot on many lists of Top 100 Albums of the 2000s with Kid A. Continuing with this sound, Radiohead created even more daring and innovative work such as In Rainbows (my personal favorite) and Hail to the Thief. So with their new release, supposedly sounding like something they have never done before, a full album review will put those claims to the test, and see if Radiohead still has kept their sound.
Radiohead is most known for their song Creep, an edgy, Nirvana sounding grunge tune that has become their signature song. But since the change in music entirely, the instruments have had to make the biggest adjustment. With Kid A, the techno rock influence is overwhelming at times. In Rainbows was able to tone it down to much more alternative vibe, like a more complex and sophisticated Coldplay. A Moon Shaped Pool is able to expand on that jump with even more fluidity.
From the lead track, Burn The Witch, their "sound they have never done before" is almost evident. A few violins playing 8th notes with a steady climb of a simple drum beat makes the song very catchy immediately. What Radiohead are MASTERS at doing musically is the giving false tone in their music. Most notable in their song Reckoner, you expect the song to be very upbeat and harder like their grunge album days, you instead get soft guitar plucking and full falsetto vocals. This is very very VERY good. Radiohead can take a faster drum beat and give it a sad, depressing vibe that you don't expect, causing you to really pay attention and listen even more intensely. With A Moon Shaped Pool, false tone of a song is evident from the start. A majority of the songs sound like they are giving of one emotion, only to be trampled with a huge 180 degree turn and throw you for a loop.
The genius mindset of Radiohead is strongly seen in their melodic intertwining of vocals and lead instruments. My personal favorite song of this album is Indentikit, a falsetto vocal build with beautiful lead guitar and smooth drums, is a key example in this concept Radiohead has mastered. The majority of A Moon Shaped Pool is built on the perfect harmony connection between lead and backup vocals, and the instruments. During the verses most notably, the guitar and synth keyboards match flawlessly with the lead vocals. During the second verse, a background vocal is added to enhance the finer melodic details of the song. Nearly every song is filled with the layering of vocals on instruments just to give unreal harmonies that give of the best vibes.
Rating: 90/100
All in all, Radiohead still has it. They have yet to create an album that fails critically. Compared to their past studio albums, A Moon Shaped Pool is potentially their best work next to In Rainbows. In fact, this album is so good, it might be the album of the year for 2016.
