There is an obvious temptation to compare any new Radiohead albums to previous releases, yet every time they find a new creative direction. The King of Limbs is unlike any of their past releases, yet feels naturally Radiohead. From the opening notes of “Bloom” to the Pac-man like artwork, this album will send chills running down your spine.
The album is meant to be listened to from start to finish and it takes a few run throughs to really grasp their aesthetic. Synth and piano are heavy with guitar taking the backseat on many songs. Thom Yorke’s falsetto is in fine form in leading single “Lotus Flower.”
They are already in a category of their own when it comes to moving piano ballads, but “Codex” brings things to a new level being simultaneously hauntingly dark and beautiful.This album will possibly divide fans of Radiohead as there are only eight songs over 38 minutes and it is one of their least accessible releases.
With that said, it is undeniably a work of art and if given a fair chance, even haters can appreciate the masterpiece that it is. While it might not stand out in Radiohead’s impressive catalogue, it is an incredible album that continues to set a tone of greatness.