Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien confirms he is “deep into” new solo album
After being relatively quiet on social media for a few months, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien has wished his followers a happy new year. He also shared his thoughts on the conflict in Israel and confirmed he is working on a new album.
O’Brien thanked fans for sticking with him, saying he needed a break before attempting to work on anything else. “I’m deep into my record,” he wrote, “and deep in the process. I will share some more soon… from music to influences to gear… all of it… it’s been and continues to be a journey.”
O’Brien has been criticised for not commenting on the current conflict in Israel. It’s not something the band is new to, as he and Radiohead received backlash from Palestinian activists in 2017 for their gig in Tel Aviv.
“Like so many of you I have found the events of October 7 and what has followed too awful for words…” he said, “anything that I have tried to write feels so utterly inadequate… Ceasefire now. Return the hostages.”
It’s been just under four years since O’Brien’s last solo album. In 2020, he released Earth, which featured appearances from Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood, Laura Marling, and Adrian Utley from Portishead.
The news comes as Thom Yorke and Jonny Grenwood’s Radiohead offshoot The Smile have announced a new title for their next album, Wall of Eyes. The album is set to come out later this month before the band embark on a UK and European tour.
Check out some of Ed O’Brien’s previous solo material below.
