Ed O’Brien’s ‘Blue Morpho’: Inside the Radiohead Guitarist’s Second Solo Album
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike... The album was shaped by personal struggles and reflection, recorded between Wales and London wit...
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike...
The album was shaped by personal struggles and reflection, recorded between Wales and London with contributors including Shabaka Hutchings, Dave Okumu, and Dan See.
A companion short film premiered alongside the album, and O’Brien has said Radiohead are planning a limited global touring strategy beginning in 2027.
What is Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien’s new solo album “Blue Morpho,” when was it released and under which label, how does it differ from hEd O’Brien’s 2026 solo album “Blue Morpho” marks a new phase in the Radiohead guitarist’s independent work.
AI Prompt
Create a landscape editorial hero image for this Studio Global article: What is Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien’s new solo album “Blue Morpho,” when was it released and under which label, how does it differ from h. Article summary: Ed O’Brien’s new solo album is Blue Morpho, his second solo LP, released on 22 May 2026 under Transgressive Records, with the copyright line listing it as “Ed O’Brien under exclusive licence to Transgressive Records Ltd.. Topic tags: general, general web, user generated. Reference image context from search candidates: Reference image 1: visual subject "“It’s how The Beatles must have felt” – Stephen Street on recording The Smiths’ The Queen Is Dead" source context "Page 3 – UNCUT" Reference image 2: visual subject "Two men with beards and glasses are shown in a close-up, with the text "Ed O'Brien" and "blue morpho" superimposed over their faces." Style: premium
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Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien returned to his solo work in 2026 with Blue Morpho, a reflective and collaborative album that expands on the sonic territory he began exploring with his debut solo record Earth in 2020. Released on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records, the project marks both a musical evolution and a symbolic shift in how O’Brien presents his solo identity.
Release details and label
Blue Morpho is O’Brien’s second solo studio album. It arrived on 22 May 2026 under the Transgressive Records label, credited as “Ed O’Brien under exclusive licence to Transgressive Records Ltd.” on digital platforms.
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What is the short answer to "Ed O’Brien’s ‘Blue Morpho’: Inside the Radiohead Guitarist’s Second Solo Album"?
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike...
What are the key points to validate first?
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike... The album was shaped by personal struggles and reflection, recorded between Wales and London with contributors including Shabaka Hutchings, Dave Okumu, and Dan See.
What should I do next in practice?
A companion short film premiered alongside the album, and O’Brien has said Radiohead are planning a limited global touring strategy beginning in 2027.
Ed O’Brien’s ‘Blue Morpho’: Inside the Radiohead Guitarist’s Second Solo Album
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike... The album was shaped by personal struggles and reflection, recorded between Wales and London wit...
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike...
The album was shaped by personal struggles and reflection, recorded between Wales and London with contributors including Shabaka Hutchings, Dave Okumu, and Dan See.
A companion short film premiered alongside the album, and O’Brien has said Radiohead are planning a limited global touring strategy beginning in 2027.
What is Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien’s new solo album “Blue Morpho,” when was it released and under which label, how does it differ from hEd O’Brien’s 2026 solo album “Blue Morpho” marks a new phase in the Radiohead guitarist’s independent work.
AI Prompt
Create a landscape editorial hero image for this Studio Global article: What is Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien’s new solo album “Blue Morpho,” when was it released and under which label, how does it differ from h. Article summary: Ed O’Brien’s new solo album is Blue Morpho, his second solo LP, released on 22 May 2026 under Transgressive Records, with the copyright line listing it as “Ed O’Brien under exclusive licence to Transgressive Records Ltd.. Topic tags: general, general web, user generated. Reference image context from search candidates: Reference image 1: visual subject "“It’s how The Beatles must have felt” – Stephen Street on recording The Smiths’ The Queen Is Dead" source context "Page 3 – UNCUT" Reference image 2: visual subject "Two men with beards and glasses are shown in a close-up, with the text "Ed O'Brien" and "blue morpho" superimposed over their faces." Style: premium
openai.com
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien returned to his solo work in 2026 with Blue Morpho, a reflective and collaborative album that expands on the sonic territory he began exploring with his debut solo record Earth in 2020. Released on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records, the project marks both a musical evolution and a symbolic shift in how O’Brien presents his solo identity.
Release details and label
Blue Morpho is O’Brien’s second solo studio album. It arrived on 22 May 2026 under the Transgressive Records label, credited as “Ed O’Brien under exclusive licence to Transgressive Records Ltd.” on digital platforms.
Studio Global AI
Continue your research
This page includes a source-backed answer you can continue inside Studio Global.
What is the short answer to "Ed O’Brien’s ‘Blue Morpho’: Inside the Radiohead Guitarist’s Second Solo Album"?
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike...
What are the key points to validate first?
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien released his second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records; the seven‑track record marks his first solo release under his own name rather than the EOB monike... The album was shaped by personal struggles and reflection, recorded between Wales and London with contributors including Shabaka Hutchings, Dave Okumu, and Dan See.
What should I do next in practice?
A companion short film premiered alongside the album, and O’Brien has said Radiohead are planning a limited global touring strategy beginning in 2027.
The record runs seven tracks and approximately 38 minutes, making it a compact, focused follow‑up to his debut.
From EOB to Ed O’Brien
When O’Brien released Earth in 2020, he used the EOB moniker. For Blue Morpho, however, he chose to release the album under his full name, marking his first solo project credited directly to Ed O’Brien.
This change signaled a more personal presentation of his music and coincided with a period of artistic reinvention as he continued developing his solo identity outside Radiohead.
Production and collaborators
The album was produced by Paul Epworth, known for work with artists such as Adele and Paul McCartney, with Riley MacIntyre involved in the production and engineering process.
O’Brien assembled a diverse group of collaborators, including:
Shabaka Hutchings – flutes
Dave Okumu – guitar contributions and musical direction
Dan See – drums
Tõnu Kõrvits – string arrangements performed by the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Recording sessions took place between O’Brien’s studio in Wales and The Church Studios in London, combining intimate songwriting with orchestral and experimental textures.
Personal experiences and influences
The creation of Blue Morpho was shaped by a difficult personal period. O’Brien recorded the album after experiencing depression and emotional upheaval, and he has described the music as emerging from a “dark night of the soul.”
A daily practice of playing guitar without expectations became the foundation for many of the songs. Nature and reflective writing—along with influences such as the work of writer Wendell Berry—helped guide the album’s themes of healing and transformation.
Full tracklist
The album consists of seven songs:
Incantations
Blue Morpho
Sweet Spot
Teachers
Solfeggio
Thin Places
Obrigado
The concise structure was designed to create an intimate listening experience while moving between psychedelic folk textures, atmospheric electronics, and orchestral elements.
Companion film: Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play
Alongside the album, O’Brien released a short film titled “Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play.” The film premiered at the SXSW festival and was planned to accompany the album’s launch.
The project expands the album’s themes of transformation and introspection through a visual narrative tied to the music.
What O’Brien said about Radiohead touring in 2027
In interviews surrounding the album, O’Brien also discussed Radiohead’s future touring plans. He indicated that the band intends to return to the road beginning in 2027 with an unusual strategy: approximately 20 shows per year on a single continent, rotating regions annually.
According to O’Brien, the limited schedule is meant to keep performances focused while avoiding the burnout that can come with large‑scale world tours.
A new chapter for O’Brien’s solo work
With Blue Morpho, O’Brien continues building a distinct creative voice outside Radiohead. The album blends introspective songwriting with collaborative experimentation—and, by releasing it under his own name, he signals a deeper personal investment in his solo path while the band prepares for its next phase.
stereogum.com
Ed O'Brien Announces New Solo Album, Teases Radiohead Tour
The record runs seven tracks and approximately 38 minutes, making it a compact, focused follow‑up to his debut.
From EOB to Ed O’Brien
When O’Brien released Earth in 2020, he used the EOB moniker. For Blue Morpho, however, he chose to release the album under his full name, marking his first solo project credited directly to Ed O’Brien.
This change signaled a more personal presentation of his music and coincided with a period of artistic reinvention as he continued developing his solo identity outside Radiohead.
Production and collaborators
The album was produced by Paul Epworth, known for work with artists such as Adele and Paul McCartney, with Riley MacIntyre involved in the production and engineering process.
O’Brien assembled a diverse group of collaborators, including:
Shabaka Hutchings – flutes
Dave Okumu – guitar contributions and musical direction
Dan See – drums
Tõnu Kõrvits – string arrangements performed by the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Recording sessions took place between O’Brien’s studio in Wales and The Church Studios in London, combining intimate songwriting with orchestral and experimental textures.
Personal experiences and influences
The creation of Blue Morpho was shaped by a difficult personal period. O’Brien recorded the album after experiencing depression and emotional upheaval, and he has described the music as emerging from a “dark night of the soul.”
A daily practice of playing guitar without expectations became the foundation for many of the songs. Nature and reflective writing—along with influences such as the work of writer Wendell Berry—helped guide the album’s themes of healing and transformation.
Full tracklist
The album consists of seven songs:
Incantations
Blue Morpho
Sweet Spot
Teachers
Solfeggio
Thin Places
Obrigado
The concise structure was designed to create an intimate listening experience while moving between psychedelic folk textures, atmospheric electronics, and orchestral elements.
Companion film: Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play
Alongside the album, O’Brien released a short film titled “Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play.” The film premiered at the SXSW festival and was planned to accompany the album’s launch.
The project expands the album’s themes of transformation and introspection through a visual narrative tied to the music.
What O’Brien said about Radiohead touring in 2027
In interviews surrounding the album, O’Brien also discussed Radiohead’s future touring plans. He indicated that the band intends to return to the road beginning in 2027 with an unusual strategy: approximately 20 shows per year on a single continent, rotating regions annually.
According to O’Brien, the limited schedule is meant to keep performances focused while avoiding the burnout that can come with large‑scale world tours.
A new chapter for O’Brien’s solo work
With Blue Morpho, O’Brien continues building a distinct creative voice outside Radiohead. The album blends introspective songwriting with collaborative experimentation—and, by releasing it under his own name, he signals a deeper personal investment in his solo path while the band prepares for its next phase.
stereogum.com
Ed O'Brien Announces New Solo Album, Teases Radiohead Tour
