Radiohead's Ed O'Brien Talks About His New Album, 'Earth'

Enlarge this image toggle caption Eliot Lee Hazel/Courtesy of the artist Eliot Lee Hazel/Courtesy of the artist

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There's a new solo album coming from Radiohead's Ed O'Brien called Earth. It's his first under the moniker EOB and will be out on April 17. On this edition of All Songs Considered, I talk with Ed O'Brien about the inspirations behind Earth. It's an album that feels both boldly colorful and intimate — one that reflects the two landscapes that underlie this record: Brazil and Wales.

Mark Ellis, who works under the name Flood, largely produced this album. He has not only a long history of working on big productions from U2 to PJ Harvey, but also has a child in the same school as Ed O'Brien's and so the two have become close friends.

That friendship accounts for the warmth on this record. There are also some extraordinary players, including Radiohead bandmate Colin Greenwood, guitarist Adrian Utley from what Ed calls the other "head" band, Portishead, drums from Omar Hakim and Wilco's Glenn Kotche, bassist Nathan East, singer and guitarist Laura Marling and the list goes on.

On March 23, Ed O'Brien posted on social media that he most likely had the coronavirus but was expecting a full recovery. Our conversation on April 2 begins with an update on his health.

Album Trailer for EOB's Earth

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Featured Track: EOB's "Brasil" from Earth

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Featured Track: EOB's "Shangri-La" from Earth

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Featured Track: EOB's "Olympik" from Earth