The Smile discovered themselves, each actually and figuratively, taking part in a beautiful Tiny Desk Live performance for NPR.

In keeping with producer Bob Boilen, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Tom Skinner “arrived early, together with saxophonist Robert Stillman, to check out a number of tunes and work out simply what made sense behind my desk — minus the quantity and results that form the album’s sonic panorama. For roughly 90 minutes, the Tiny Desk crew was handled to an informal rehearsal, witnessing the band’s artistic companionship work itself out, deciding on 4 songs.”

Not all made the ultimate broadcast, with one of many songs falling sufferer to the band’s relentless perfectionism. “For eager eyes, you’ll see Thom Yorke being handed a guitar for the second tune however swiftly he’s taking part in bass whereas Jonny Greenwood’s bass is out of the blue a guitar. They’d recorded one other tune earlier than “The Smoke,” nevertheless it didn’t make the ultimate reduce; they weren’t pleased with their efficiency.”

The outcomes would possibly go away you shocked, and never simply due to Yorke’s alternative of orange sun shades and blue hat. The Smile performed three songs — “Pana-vision,” “The Smoke,”  and “Skrting On the Floor” — with an ethereal lightness that contrasts with their extra tightly scripted 2022 album, A Mild for Attracting Consideration. Try the set beneath.

Nonetheless need extra The Smile? Final month, the band introduced the reside album The Smile at Montreux Jazz Pageant, July 2022, which you’ll stream now.