Free in the Knowledge

The music video was directed by Leo Leigh and features a group of people in a forest, the first half shows them the group of people in extreme distress and anguish until around the half-way point, when small clips of exposition play showing glimpses other people and a form of ritualistic ceremony. The video has been described as unsettling & haunting among other things.[5][6]

Writing for Consequence, Alex Lake enjoyed the track describing as a "extremely successful attempt at evoking a misty-eyed thousand-yard stare" and praises the backing band calling them "extremely overqualified".[7] Nathaniel Fitzgerald of Tuned Up also enjoyed the track noting how the track takes a break from the "hyperactive jazz drums and angular guitar in favor of a delicate acoustic, electric piano, and wash of strings", as the track doesn't have any percussion until the 3 minute mark. He also describes the track as a line between hopeless and romantic.[8] Writing for Beatsperminute.com, Rob H. described the track as an "acoustic dreamer" that features Thom Yorke reflecting on "horrors experienced in modern life", noting the slow buildup of strings and horns from the London Contemporary Orchestra.[9] The lyrics on the track as Thom reflecting on a changed world by multiple critics.[10][9]

The song, on specific streaming services and digital storefronts, also contains the four previously released singles from the band:

Credits adapted from album liner notes.[11]

The Smile

• Thom Yorke – vocals, synthesizer, acoustic guitar
• Jonny Greenwood – piano, bass
• Tom Skinner – drums

Production

• Nigel Godrich

Additional musicians

• London Contemporary Orchestra
  • Hugh Brunt – orchestration
  • Eloisa-Fleur Thom – violin
  • Alessandro Ruisi – violin
  • Zara Benyounes – violin
  • Sophie Mather – violin
  • Agata Daraskaite – violin
  • Charlotte Bonneton – violin
  • Zoe Matthews – viola
  • Clifton Harrison – viola
  • Oliver Coates – cello
  • Max Ruisi – cello
  • Clare O’Connell – cello
• Jason Yarde – saxophone
• Robert Stillman – saxophone
• Chelsea Carmichael – flute
• Nathaniel Cross – trombone
• Byron Wallen – trumpet
• Theon Cross – tuba
• Tom Herbert – double bass
• Dave Brown – double bass