The Smile Returns With New Single ‘Bending Hectic’
The new standalone track features strings by the London Contemporary Orchestra.
By Andy Kahn Jun 20, 2023 • 6:37 am PDT
The Smile – Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, along with Sons of Kemet’s Tom Skinner – released a new song entitled “Bending Hectic” through XL Recordings. The standalone track features strings performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra.
Recorded earlier this year at the storied Abbey Road Studios in London, “Bending Hectic” was produced by Sam Petts-Davies. The song made its live debut as part of The Smile’s set at the 2022 Montreux Jazz Festival but was left off the live album culled from that performance.
Advertisement
The Smile will embark on a tour of North America tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21 with their first show in Mexico City. Following the 16-date tour currently set to wrap with a July 21 headlining appearance at Chicago’s Pitchfork Music Festival, The Smile will head back to the studio “to continue working on new material.”
View the “Bending Hectic” lyrics here. Listen to The Smile’s new single below:
Loading tour dates
