Listen to the track here
What do you get when you mix the imposing beats and gravel-voiced rhymes of DOOM (formerly MF DOOM) with the claustrophobic production technique of the two laughing boys of Radiohead, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood? Well, you get exactly what you'd imagine. Taken from a forthcoming compilation celebrating 10 years of Lex Records, the unfortunately titled Retarded Fren is a clattering, densely produced slice of ice-cold hip-hop, Greenwood's influence perhaps most obvious around the 90-second mark when a lovely, dancing bass line – which sounds like it's been plucked on a double bass – winds itself around a scratchy beat. Unfortunately, Yorke's mournful croon never materialises, but there's enough of him here to feel his influence. Brilliantly, the song ends with DOOM rapping the details for his forthcoming London gig at the Roundhouse, giving the date, the lineup (Ghostface Killah will be there) and the demand to "stay up". Helpful.
• Retarded Fren is available to download now.
