Free in the Knowledge
"Free in the Knowledge" | ||||
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Single by the Smile | ||||
from the album A Light for Attracting Attention | ||||
Released | April 20th, 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:12 | |||
Label | XL Recordings | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Nigel Godrich | |||
The Smile singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Free in the Knowledge" on YouTube |
"Free in the Knowledge" is the fifth single released by the English rock band the Smile from their debut studio album, A Light for Attracting Attention. It was released on April 20, 2022 by XL Recordings.[1] The track was first played live by Thom Yorke on October 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall.[2] The song was also played on December 2, 2021 on a live Instagram post featuring the band rehearsing new tracks with one of these being "Free in the Knowledge".[3][4]
Music Video
The music video was directed by Leo Leigh and features a group of people in a forest, the first half shows them the group of people in extreme distress and anguish until around the half-way point, when small clips of exposition play showing glimpses other people and a form of ritualistic ceremony. The video has been described as unsettling & haunting among other things.[5][6]
Reception
Writing for Consequence, Alex Lake enjoyed the track describing as a "extremely successful attempt at evoking a misty-eyed thousand-yard stare" and praises the backing band calling them "extremely overqualified".[7] Nathaniel Fitzgerald of Tuned Up also enjoyed the track noting how the track takes a break from the "hyperactive jazz drums and angular guitar in favor of a delicate acoustic, electric piano, and wash of strings", as the track doesn't have any percussion until the 3 minute mark. He also describes the track as a line between hopeless and romantic.[8] Writing for Beatsperminute.com, Rob H. described the track as an "acoustic dreamer" that features Thom Yorke reflecting on "horrors experienced in modern life", noting the slow buildup of strings and horns from the London Contemporary Orchestra.[9] The lyrics on the track as Thom reflecting on a changed world by multiple critics.[10][9]
Track listing
The song, on specific streaming services and digital storefronts, also contains the four previously released singles from the band:
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Free in the Knowledge" | 4:13 |
2. | "The Smoke" | 3:39 |
3. | "Pana-vision" | 4:08 |
4. | "You Will Never Work in Television Again" | 2:48 |
5. | "Skrting on the Surface" | 5:31 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from album liner notes.[11]
The Smile
- Thom Yorke – vocals, synthesizer, acoustic guitar
- Jonny Greenwood – piano, bass
- Tom Skinner – drums
Production
Additional musicians
- London Contemporary Orchestra
- Hugh Brunt – orchestration
- Eloisa-Fleur Thom – violin
- Alessandro Ruisi – violin
- Zara Benyounes – violin
- Sophie Mather – violin
- Agata Daraskaite – violin
- Charlotte Bonneton – violin
- Zoe Matthews – viola
- Clifton Harrison – viola
- Oliver Coates – cello
- Max Ruisi – cello
- Clare O’Connell – cello
- Jason Yarde – saxophone
- Robert Stillman – saxophone
- Chelsea Carmichael – flute
- Nathaniel Cross – trombone
- Byron Wallen – trumpet
- Theon Cross – tuba
- Tom Herbert – double bass
- Dave Brown – double bass
References
- ^ "The Smile Detail Debut Album, Share New "Free in the Knowledge" Video". Pitchfork. 2022-04-20. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Richards, Will (2021-12-20). "Watch Thom Yorke play The Smile's 'Free In The Knowledge' at Royal Albert Hall". NME. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "Watch Thom Yorke Play the Smile's "Free in the Knowledge"". Pitchfork. 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (2021-12-03). "Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood's new band The Smile rehearse on Instagram". NME. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Helms, William Ruben (2022-04-21). "New Video: The Smile Shares a Gorgeous and Unsettling Visual for "Free In The Knowledge"". The Joy of Violent Movement. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Promonews. "The Smile 'Free In The Knowledge' by Leo Leigh | Videos". Promonewstv. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Siroky, Mary (2022-04-22). "Song of the Week: The Smile Embrace Dramatic Balladry on "Free In the Knowledge"". Consequence. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "The Smile – Free In the Knowledge | TUNED UP". 2022-04-20. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ a b H, Rob (2022-04-20). "Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood's The Smile announce debut album and share the anthemic "Free In The Knowledge" | Beats Per Minute". beatsperminute.com. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "The Smile's A Light for Attracting Attention Is a Heady, Groove-Filled Debut for Radiohead Veterans". pastemagazine.com. 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ A Light for Attracting Attention (liner notes). The Smile. London, England: XL Recordings. 2022. FXL1196LP.
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