This song seems to discuss fear of the other in a really interesting way. Just like the music video confirms, the entire analogy of the witch hunt dominates the material, while an ongoing subtext pushes a related narrative.
Overall, I'm most interested in the production. The horror film strings keeping time, the reverb drenched chorus, the whole thing is beautiful. I think the song's release timing is also interesting. 2016 continues the trend of positioning further into one of the most conservative era of humankind—this song seems to examine the shallow missteps of exclusionary society laying waste to alien (other) "withes".
Propaganda is easier to disseminate than ever before and elite, exclusionary lifestyle is trendy. Though groups have scapegoated each other for generations and will continue to do so—in 2016 we financially, verbally and fictionally "burn the witches". Look at the Syrian refugee situation for instance:
In early 2016, three million children (millions more adults) are displaced (their homes destroyed) or are refugees (they are fleeing their home country) by/to the Syrian civil war. However, many countries claim it would be financially insane to help these people and it's seen as rational to accept that mindset. The most extreme of these unhelpful people see it as dangerous. Many do not fully understand what they are condemning, they simply follow the popular opinion they relate to most.
Radiohead have written about this society before, from different perspectives. This song isn't overstated or musically their most complicated but it leaves a lot to be extrapolated and its meaning, specifically it's inspiration likely comes from several places.
This song seems to discuss fear of the other in a really interesting way. Just like the music video confirms, the entire analogy of the witch hunt dominates the material, while an ongoing subtext pushes a related narrative.
Overall, I'm most interested in the production. The horror film strings keeping time, the reverb drenched chorus, the whole thing is beautiful. I think the song's release timing is also interesting. 2016 continues the trend of positioning further into one of the most conservative era of humankind—this song seems to examine the shallow missteps of exclusionary society laying waste to alien (other) "withes".
Propaganda is easier to disseminate than ever before and elite, exclusionary lifestyle is trendy. Though groups have scapegoated each other for generations and will continue to do so—in 2016 we financially, verbally and fictionally "burn the witches". Look at the Syrian refugee situation for instance:
In early 2016, three million children (millions more adults) are displaced (their homes destroyed) or are refugees (they are fleeing their home country) by/to the Syrian civil war. However, many countries claim it would be financially insane to help these people and it's seen as rational to accept that mindset. The most extreme of these unhelpful people see it as dangerous. Many do not fully understand what they are condemning, they simply follow the popular opinion they relate to most.
Radiohead have written about this society before, from different perspectives. This song isn't overstated or musically their most complicated but it leaves a lot to be extrapolated and its meaning, specifically it's inspiration likely comes from several places.