Free in the Knowledge

"Free in the Knowledge"
Single by the Smile
from the album A Light for Attracting Attention
Released	20 April 2022
Genre	Art rock psychedelic folk
Length	4:12
Label	XL Recordings
Songwriter(s)	Jonny Greenwood Nigel Godrich Thom Yorke Tom Skinner
Producer(s)	Nigel Godrich
The Smile singles chronology
"Pana-vision" (2022) "Free in the Knowledge" (2022) "Thin Thing" (2022)
Music video
"Free in the Knowledge" on YouTube

"Free in the Knowledge" is a song by the English rock band the Smile. It was released on 20 March 2022 as the third single from the Smile's debut album, A Light for Attracting Attention, by XL Recordings.[1]

The song was first performed by the singer, Thom Yorke, in 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 ritualistic ceremony in a forest. The video has been described as unsettling and haunting.[5][6]

Reception

Writing for Consequence, Alex Lake described "Free in the Knowledge" as an "extremely successful attempt at evoking a misty-eyed thousand-yard stare", and praised the band calling them "extremely overqualified".[7] Nathaniel Fitzgerald of Tuned Up wrote that it broke from the album's "hyperactive jazz drums and angular guitar in favour of a delicate acoustic, electric piano, and wash of strings". He described 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 Yorke reflecting on "horrors experienced in modern life", noting the slow buildup of strings and horns from the London Contemporary Orchestra.[9]

Personnel

Credits adapted from album liner notes.[10]

The Smile

• Thom Yorke – vocals, synthesiser, acoustic guitar
• Jonny Greenwood – piano, bass
• Tom Skinner – drums

Production

• Nigel Godrich

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

1. "The Smile Detail Debut Album, Share New "Free in the Knowledge" Video". Pitchfork. 2022-04-20. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
2. 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.
3. "Watch Thom Yorke Play the Smile's "Free in the Knowledge"". Pitchfork. 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
4. Aubrey, Elizabeth (2021-12-03). "Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood's new band The Smile rehearse on Instagram". NME. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
5. 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.
6. Promonews. "The Smile 'Free In The Knowledge' by Leo Leigh | Videos". Promonewstv. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
7. Siroky, Mary (2022-04-22). "Song of the Week: The Smile Embrace Dramatic Balladry on "Free In the Knowledge"". Consequence. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
8. "The Smile – Free In the Knowledge | TUNED UP". 2022-04-20. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
9. 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.
10. A Light for Attracting Attention (liner notes). The Smile. London, England: XL Recordings. 2022. FXL1196LP.