Radiohead
In Rainbows (XL)
Amsterdam-born/Los Angeles-based artist Jaïr Faria told us about his love for a Radiohead gem...
In Rainbows by Radiohead is probably my favorite album of all time. I discovered it when I was in high school and was just starting to realize how much I loved alternative music. My best friend kept telling me I had to listen to Radiohead, but at the time I only really knew “Creep,” so I remember telling her, “I’m not listening to that band — that song is so basic.” During lockdown, I was staying at her house and there wasn’t much we could do, so one night around 1 a.m. we went for a walk. She put on In Rainbows, and we listened to the entire album from beginning to end. I completely fell in love with it. Ever since then, I don’t think there’s been a day where I haven’t listened to at least one song from that record.
What I love most about In Rainbows is how cinematic it feels. It’s rock, but the songs don’t rely on obvious pop structures or hooks — somehow they’re incredibly catchy simply because of how beautiful they are. Music that feels cinematic immediately makes me think visually, and that’s something I’m really drawn to in my own music as well. Two of my favorite songs ever, “All I Need” and “Nude,” are on that album. It means so much to me that I even have the opening line from “Nude,” “Don’t get any big ideas,” tattooed on my right arm.
Jaïr Faria's "Georgia" single is out now. An EP will follow November 6...
Photo by Cameron Driskill
