There’s a reason why we included the “always present threat for a new Radiohead album” in our recent “35 More Albums to Buy in 2010” list”: because there really is an always present threat for a new Radiohead album, a reality that guitarist Ed O’Brien again affirmed when he recently appeared on the BBC radio program Adam Buxton’s Big Mixtape.

“Ideally, it’d be great if it came out sometime this year. It’s got to. I hope so,” O’Brien answered when asked by Buxton when the band’s followup to 2007’s In Rainbows will be released.

He explained that “We’re at the studio at the moment… we’re in the heart of the record,” but added “the finishing line… it’s in touching distance” and, barring any last minute problems, the record will likely be completed in “a matter of weeks.”

O’Brien would give no real specifics, but did feel confident enough to say “I’m really excited… I feel like this is the best record we ever made. It really is genuinely exciting. It’s very different from what we did last time.”

[And breathe]

Radiohead has reportedly been working on its untitled eight LP since July 2009. In December, O’Brien told Rolling Stone that the band is in a “very different place, a very new place.” There have also been rumors that the album may feature some orchestral elements. All that said, no definitive description of the album’s sound has been offered.

Before any new Radiohead record is released, however, both frontman Thom Yorke and drummer Phil Selway have solo tour dates to attend to this summer. Below, you can find a full listing of these dates, as well as O’Brien’s interview in full (via at ease). The Radiohead guitarist also used the appearance to show off his personal mixtape, which includes David Bowie, Diplo, XTC, and of course Radiohead.

Thom Yorke 2010 Tour Dates:

08/01 – Niigata Prefecture, JP @ Fuji Rock *

08/06 – Herefordshire, UK @ The Big Chill

* = Atoms For Peace date

Phil Selway 2010 Tour Dates:

09/04 – Stradbally, IE @ Electric Picnic

09/11 – Isle of Wight, UK @ Bestival

09/12 – North Dorset, UK @ End of the Road

09/14 – London, UK @ Royal Festival Hall #

09/15 – Newcastle, UK @ Academy #

09/16 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowlands #

# = w/ Wilco