Radiohead's New Single: Reaction to 'Lotus Flower'

So, here it is. Radiohead's first new album-bound material since 2007's In Rainbows, one day ahead of schedule, just six days after it was announced. Difficult bastards.

On first listen, it seems pretty much what was expected. A snaking, bassy intro is eventually met by Thom Yorke's meek, patient vocal while Kid A synths wobble and whirr. 'Lotus Flower' is incredibly deliberate; you get the feeling that every lingering bass note, every echo-tracked vocal has been surgically prepared rather than bound together with double-sided tape and willpower.

Though the album's electronic intelligence references Kid A and Amnesiac heavily, it updates the sound to an extraordinary extent; those albums hardly sound outdated even today, but there is undeniable progress evident on this, the album's lead single. The relentless, swinging bass is reminiscent of the xx's more upbeat moments, if more pervasive, more aggressive.

All in all, this track is typical Radiohead, which is no bad thing. It's a smoother Hail to the Thief, a more adventurous In Rainbows, Ok Computer with a black cover.

Or that's how I see it. Why not let it 'slowly unfurl' for you, and tell me what you think?

Beyoncé and Sleigh Bells to Team Up

Today brings the exciting, if slightly bizarre news that Beyoncé and Sleigh Bells are currently in studio under the Jerk-spiced wing of Major Lazer man Diplo. This unusual pairing is the latest example of a hookup between massive US R'n'B stars and their nerdier, whiter indie cousins.

Jamie Smith's decision to remix Gil Scott-Heron's latest LP, I'm New Here, was a fruitful one; the resulting shady eroto-funk was genuinely different and uplifting, even at its darkest. Jamie of The xx is also collaborating with mega-selling smooth-O Drake, with Florence Welch also rumoured to be involved.

The most daring (and best-praised) R'n'B/Rock hybrid album to emerge in recent-ish times, however, is surely Danger Mouse's The Grey Album, the now-famous merging of Beatles instrumentals with bars from Jay-Z's Black Album. It's well worth a listen: try this mashup of 'Yer Blues' and 'Moment of Clarity'.

Despite the recent form of crossover albums, I simply cannot see this latest collab working. Mixing bold American rap with understated British schmindie is easy enough, but Sleigh Bells, are a different proposition. They are genuinely, bowel-emptyingly loud. Despite her undoubted mastery of the pop song ('Crazy in Love' stands out), Beyoncé's last attempt to confound expectations, the lacklustre I Am...Sasha Fierce met with a tepid reception. Why should her joining forces with the maddest, noisiest shitslingers around be any different?