8/10

Over the last few years, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has been particularly focused on his solo work as opposed to the material with his formative band. Since Radiohead's last studio album 'A Moon Shaped Pool' in 2016, the frontman has been releasing a flurry of solo singles, unveiled his soundtrack to last year's suspenseful horror film 'Susperia', and now returns once again to deliver his third solo offering 'ANIMA'. And much like all of his other work in recent years, this sees the artist pushing the boundaries ever further in his attempt to discover more about himself.

Adopting a distinctly electronic direction this time around, 'ANIMA' seems to have more in common with his debut full-length 'The Eraser' than anything else he has been producing of late. With a uniquely ethereal tone, reminiscent of 'A Moon Shaped Pool'-era Radiohead, the frontman has chosen to pepper this release with a mixture of bold and brash electronica that gives the record a wonderfully warm and at times dark aesthetic. With the majority of the tracklist each running over the 5minute mark, this gives him the opportunity to fill each composition with as much flair and dexterity as he can possibly muster, making for fresh and atmospheric return.

In all, this feels like Thom Yorke 2.0. Adventurous and experimental as always, but with a intention that still manages to separate it from anything else we have heard from him before. 'ANIMA' may have its odd slow moments, but in all we are hearing a man that still looks to be having fun with his sound, branching away from expectation and delivering a warm and vibrant full-length.