First Review

Radiohead’s New Album Covers Familiar Ground

But will please fans and critics.

The first reviews of Radiohead’s new album The King of Limbs, whose release surprised everyone when it was announced on Monday, are coming out. The Guardian’s Tim Jonze pens an admittedly provisional one—his opinion will likely change with repeated listens, he says—but even on a first listen you can tell it’s classic Radiohead, with Philip Glass-like piano loops, electronic beeps, and abstract lyrics. “There is much here that will please the 'Head faithful, who will delight in the claustrophobic likes of 'Morning Mr Magpie' and 'Little By Little,'” Jonze writes. “But you don't have to be a diehard fan to see the worth in 'Codex,' a beautiful melody brought into focus by the band's decision to dispense of the usual trimmings in favour of piano and ghostlike effects.” However, Jones says it’s disappointing that the band stuck to what they’re known for rather than striking out in a new direction, as they did in each of their earlier albums.