The Smile Confirms Third Album ‘Cutouts’ After Cryptic Teasers

The Smile has officially announced Cutouts, their third LP, set for release on October 4th. “We lovingly submit our latest 45-minute (?) record Cutouts,” the band stated, “to be swallowed up by the fast running stream, down into the giant ever-growing river and on to the sea.” The album is now available for pre-order in various formats including compact disc, black or white vinyl, cassette, and digital.

Fans were recently treated to new videos for “Zero Sum” and “Foreign Spies.” The complete track listing and album artwork have also been revealed, inciting excitement among followers.

Internet detectives have been busy decoding clues from the supergroup, which includes Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead and Tom Skinner from Sons of Kemet. A particularly intriguing Instagram post was deciphered to seemingly spell out “three zero sum” using a Polybius cipher, leading fans to speculate these were song titles.

In early August, the Smile released a new single featuring a studio version of the 2024 concert staple “Don’t Get Me Started,” backed by “The Slip.” Astute fans, piecing together clues from a band tweet, correctly guessed that “Don’t Get Me Started” would be the sixth track on the album.

The single was produced and mixed by Sam Petts-Davies, who also worked on the Smile’s earlier acclaimed album Wall of Eyes, released this year. The video for “Don’t Get Me Started Again” followed a week later, adding to the anticipation.

Continuing their collaboration, Cutouts is also produced by Petts-Davies and features string accompaniment from the London Contemporary Orchestra. The album art was created during the recording process by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke.

This new release follows Wall of Eyes, which itself came after the Smile’s debut album from 2022, A Light for Attracting Attention. The band has also put out a couple of live recordings after their first LP hit No. 5 in the UK charts, namely The Smile at Montreux Jazz Festival July 2022 and Europe: Live Recordings 2022.

The Smile, ‘Cutouts’ Track Listing:
“Foreign Spies”
“Instant Psalm”
“Zero Sum”
“Colours Fly”
“Eyes & Mouth”
“Don’t Get Me Started”
“Tiptoe”
“The Slip”
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“Bodies Laughing”