Radiohead - 'Nude'

The second single to be taken from 'In Rainbows', ‘Nude’ showcases Radiohead’s ability to piece together dazzling down-tempo numbers.  Warm yet minimalistic, the single opens  in a seductive haze of strings and Yorke’s plaintive murmurs, before cutting to the gentle pulsing of bass and percussion to accompany a melodic line that assures, "Don’t get any big ideas, they’re not going to happen." 

Lyrically characteristic of Radiohead’s pessimism, ‘Nude’ is musically quite the opposite.  Layers of glimmering guitar work and softly-spoken vocal texture create a soundscape almost tangible in thickness, that gains momentum into the accusatory vocal climax: "You’ll go to hell." The drifting elements then pull together into a swelling finale that hangs in the ether, ultimately understated and effortlessly lovely. 

Released 31/03/08 on XL Recordings.