Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien Details 2nd Solo Album ‘Blue Morpho’ & Shares Title Track

Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien will release his second solo album, Blue Morpho, on May 22 via Transgressive. O’Brien previewed the “deeply personal” record by sharing its title track lead single.

After issuing his 2020 debut solo album, Earth (released under the moniker EOB), O’Brien “entered the deepest depression of his life.” O’Brien worked through the depression, embracing Dutch motivational speaker Wim Hof’s breathing and cold-exposure techniques, which he combined with daily multi-hour guitar playing sessions at his London studio.

O’Brien connected with producer Paul Epworth through their children’s school and the pair worked on what became Blue Morpho over several years. The album was recorded with engineer Riley MacIntyre at O’Brien’s studio in Wales and in London at The Church Studios.

Shabaka Hutchings played flute and composer Tõnu Kõrvits arranged strings parts performed by the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. An accompanying short film, Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play, premiered this week at SXSW.

Watch the video for “Blue Morpho” and Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play trailer below:

Blue Morpho Tracklist

1. Incantations
2. Blue Morpho
3. Sweet Spot
4. Teachers
5. Solfeggio
6. Thin Places
7. Obrigado