The name “Radiohead” is often synonymous with terms like ‘indie’, ‘super-hipster’, and ‘Creep’. Admittedly, as big of a music fan as I am, I had never really given Radiohead enough of a chance. I had heard about them and generally knew that they were a critically acclaimed, genre bending alt-rock band from the 90s, spawning the likes of Oasis, Blur, and Coldplay.
With their two most recent singles, “Burn The Witch” and “Daydreaming”, the band had been generating all types of publicity for their upcoming album, only no one knew when it would drop or where it would be sold. Then, on Mother’s Day 2016, the British rockers made headlines with their latest release “A Moon Shaped Pool”. Due to all of the hype, I decided to give it a legitimate, dedicated listen.
After listening to their latest release a few times it is safe to say that I am quickly becoming addicted to their music, and am sad that I waited this long to give them the time they deserve.
First of all, this album isn’t necessarily what you’re going to be hearing on the radio anytime soon. It is also an album intended to be listened to in-order.
“Burn the Witch”, the first track, is the most likely to get some airplay. Its heart pumping and full of adventure with a very large soundscape. It keeps you on the edge all the way to the end of the track and make you feel as if you’re being brought to life. Then, with “Daydreaming”, you immediately lose consciousness and fall into a rhythmic and audible landscape.
These two tracks set the story for the album: it feels as if you’re about to break out of a prison that is somehow holding you back from life, and you get all the way to the front door, but at the last second you are stopped and thrown back into your cell before you can rethink your strategy. The rest of album aims to plot your escape.
Following is “Decks Dark” in which they sing, “We are helpless to resist in our darkest hour”. This signals going back to the 'drawing board'- both in the metaphorical prison, and in real-world terms for Radiohead, themselves, going back to the drawing board for their own music.
Towards the middle of the album comes the blissful “Glass Eyes.” Listening to this can only make you feel as if you have begun to over think every single aspect of your life; your plans, your goals, your intentions. Maybe this was Radiohead’s way of almost over thinking the production of this album or the iconic style that has made the band one of the most acclaimed in all of music.
This flows into “Identikit”, a sheer audible powerhouse that transports the listener. It has a much more hopeful tone that inspires you to get over your past in singing, “Broken hearts make it rain”: You’ve overcome whatever obstacles were in your way, your goals are clearer than ever, and you are ready to plan your attack.
After this comes “The Numbers”, which is a beautifully constructed spirit-raiser, singing, “The future lives inside us, its not somewhere else”. The final inspiration one needs to break out of the prison that is holding them back from their true potential and life, whatever that may be.
Finally comes the absolutely intoxicating “True Love Waits”. This track was typically one of their ‘live only’ songs, but was finally released in a studio format. Its absolutely magical and haunting, and I find myself constantly pressing 'repeat' as the track comes to a slow burning, breathless end.
After diving deep into this album I have realized that this is more a piece of art than anything else. This isn’t one of those albums that you just listen to on a whim; you really have to pay attention. That may be off-putting to some listeners, and that’s completely understandable. But this is the kind of music that makes you question life, sanity, and even your own destiny and fate.
If you truly want to sit down, close your eyes, and fly away to a new world for at least a little while, give “A Moon Shaped Pool” a listen.
