Radiohead's Ed O'Brien Announces Second Solo Album 'Blue Morpho', Shares Title Track
Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Steve Gullick
Ed O'Brien has announced his second solo album.
The Radiohead guitarist will release 'Blue Morpho' on May 22 via his new label home, Transgressive. Produced by Paul Epworth, who is best known for his work with Paul McCartney and Adele, the deeply personal project was shaped during one of the most challenging periods of O'Brien's life.
In 2020, after releasing his debut solo album 'Earth' under the moniker EOB, O'Brien struggled with depression, but was encouraged by his wife to face his emotions. He spent four years playing guitar in his London studio and working through trauma, with 'Blue Morpho' emerging from that process.
Recorded during sessions with engineer Riley MacIntyre in Wales, the seven-song album was finished between O'Brien's studio in Wales and The Church Studios in London, with sequencing by Flood and mixing by Ben Baptie. Saxophonist and composer Shabaka Hutchings contributes flutes, while there are strings performed by the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and arranged by composer Tõnu Kõrvits.
Alongside the announcement, O'Brien has shared the album's uplifting, atmospheric title track, inspired by the healing effects of nature.
Additionally, the short film Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play, which premiered at SXSW yesterday, will be released alongside the album, with more details to be shared soon. In the meantime, check out the new song and a teaser trailer for the film below.
Radiohead toured Europe and the UK late last year, performing four nights each in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen and Berlin. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, O'Brien revealed the band plans to do a similar run of shows on other continents beginning in 2027.
"What we’re going to do is, every year we’re going to do a different continent, and we’re going to do 20 shows each year. No more, no less," he explained.
"We want to give absolutely everything each night. We do not ever want it to be like we’re going through the motions or we’re having to run on empty. We’ve got to be able to do it. And you know what? We’re not spring chickens anymore."
Radiohead released a live album, 'Hail To The Thief (Live Recordings 2003-2009)', last August, while their most recent studio album is 2016's 'A Moon Shaped Pool'.
In the time since then, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood formed the side project The Smile with former Sons Of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner. The trio have released three albums; 2022's 'A Light For Attracting Attention' and 2024's 'Wall Of Eyes' and 'Cutouts'. Additionally, Yorke put out 'Tall Tales' last year, a collaborative album with electronic producer Mark Pritchard.
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