On October 2, 2000 "Radiohead" released their 4th album "Kid A".
The album marked a bold and daring departure from the traditional rock sound that made "Radiohead" global superstars with "Ok Computer". Released in 2000, this album divided both critics and fans at the time, but it has since become a cornerstone in modern music, often regarded as one of the most influential albums of the 21st century.
From the outset, it's clear that "Kid A" is a different beast. The album opens with “Everything in Its Right Place,” an eerie electronic track driven by Thom Yorke's processed vocals and sparse synthesizer melodies. The conventional guitar-driven sound that dominated their earlier work is largely absent, replaced by ambient textures, glitchy electronic beats, and a sense of dissonance.
The title track, “Kid A,” follows in a similar experimental vein, with warped vocals buried beneath electronic rhythms, creating a distant, almost alien atmosphere.
As the album progresses, it's clear that "Radiohead" is drawing influence from a wide array of genres—Krautrock, ambient music, jazz, and even classical. Tracks like the monotonic "The National Anthem" with its chaotic brass arrangements, and "Idioteque," (which samples "Mild und Leise" by Paul Lansky) driven by jittery, apocalyptic beats, showcase a band willing to explore sonic territory beyond mainstream expectations.
Despite its heavy reliance on electronics, "Kid A" deliver songs like "How to Disappear Completely" which is an acoustic ballad with orchestral strings and guitar effects, rapped with elements of ambient music.
One of the things that keeps this album as a unified piece is its emotional core. Although singer, Thom Yorke, wrote impersonal and abstract lyrics, cutting up phrases and assembling them at random, Yorke’s plaintive, vulnerable vocals, capturing a profound sense of isolation and introspection. His singing across the album often delivers vibes of alienation, societal disintegration, and personal dislocation, reflecting a darker mood that complements the experimental soundscapes.
One of the album’s strengths is its sequencing. It ebbs and flows between cold, dystopian sounds and moments of fragile beauty. For example, the instrumental “Treefingers” acts as a serene, ambient pause before plunging into the frenetic energy of “Optimistic,” one of the few tracks on "Kid A" that features guitars in a somewhat traditional rock form.
At the time of its release, "Kid A" baffled many listeners expecting a continuation of "Ok Computer’s" alt-rock sound, but the band’s willingness to reinvent themselves has solidified their status as forward-thinking musicians. Over time, the album's influence has only grown, particularly in the realm of electronic and experimental music, and many now consider it "Radiohead’s" defining masterpiece. It is not for nothing that the album entered the "Rolling Stone magazine's" list of the "500 greatest albums of all times" and many other respectable ranking lists.
"Kid A" is not an album that seeks to please everyone, and its unconventional nature means it can be a difficult listen at first. However, its enigmatic quality and complex soundscapes reward repeated listens. For those willing to dive into its depths, "Kid A" offers a haunting, thought-provoking journey that challenges traditional rock norms and sets "Radiohead" apart as true pioneers in modern music.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
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