Smalltalk

So this past week, Nigel Godrich, often known as the producer and "6th member" of Radiohead, announced a new side-project named Ultraísta, along with a new song Smalltalk. Besides using his musical genius to shape the sounds of bands like Radiohead and Beck, Godrich has ventured into writing and performing this past couple of years, from composing the soundtrack for the (awesome) Scott Pilgrim movie to performing with Thom Yorke's other band Atoms for Peace.

So it doesn't come as that big a surprise that he has his own project now. It's not entirely his own solo project, but a collaboration with London artist Laura Bettinson (whose solo work goes by the name Dimbleby & Capper) and drummer Joey Waronker, who is also part of Atoms for Peace. And yet it's kinda obvious that Nigel's the mastermind behind the sound of this new group, or at least the only song they are yet to put out.

The sound and feel of the track just seems to have "Nigel Godrich" stamped all over it, despite being dancier and catchier than anything he's ever done. The lush synths and that syncopated beat with the dry snare are such hallmarks of his sound, especially in his work with Thom Yorke's solo stuff like The Eraser. The track Hearing Damage is a great example. But Smalltalk does have a different vibe to it, almost with an 80's dance feel (helped by the video too, link below). Bettinson's vocals complete the track, effortlessly sexy and addictive at the same time.

Ultraísta - Smalltalk