New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Seven years in the making, Ed O'Brien of
Radiohead is proud to finally release his debut album under the EOB moniker: Earth; out today across all digital and physical platforms via Capitol Records/Universal
Music Canada, the country's leading music company. Physical configurations of Earth are available now - including 180 gram 12" vinyl LP and CD versions, and more.
The story of Earth begins in Brazil, where O'Brien relocated with his family just after Radiohead's 2012 tour supporting The King of Limbs—specifically Carnivale in Rio in 2013, where Ed's chance attendance proved life altering: "Truly the greatest show on Earth," Ed recalls in a letter to fans. "An explosion of light, melody, rhythm and love… For me, one of those musical eureka moments."
Reinvigorated and brimming with new inspiration, Ed began recording immediately upon his return home to Wales. Handling vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion and programming, Ed enlisted the help of legendary music producer Flood, with assistance by apprentice turned master Catherine Marks.
Three decades in
Radiohead had instilled in Ed a high standard for musical collaborators. So it was that Earth's songs were brought to life by a diverse and stellar array of musicians including an appearance by O'Brien's
Radiohead bandmate Colin Greenwood,
Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley,
Wilco drummer
Glenn Kotche, drum legend Omar Hakim, masterful bass player Nathan East,
Laura Marling,
David Okumu of The Invisible, Adam 'Cecil' Bartlett, Richie Kennedy, and Marcelo S. Silva.
A masterful collection of vibrant, colorful songs with occasionally dark undertones, Earth is a confluence of grim realities processed during everyday life in Wales, refracted through the kaleidoscopic, optimistic lens of Ed's time in Brazil. Earth's release week will culminate with the first ever network television appearance of EOB on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, April 23rd. In a performance pre-recorded during Ed's February visit to Los Angeles, EOB performed Earth opener and first single "Shangri La," in a live configuration featuring Dishan Abrahams, Hinako Omori, Ross Chapman, and Alvin Ford Jr..
Earth's release has been preceded by multiple warmly received advance offerings, including the Top 10 AAA single "Shangri La" ("shimmies with elastic Arthur Russell-ian movement before going full-on Brit pop guitar, complete with handclaps"—NPR Music), "
Brasil" ("a nine-minute shapeshifting epic"—Stereogum), "Olympik" ("Psychedelic ear worm"—Rolling Stone) and "Cloak of the Night" ("beautiful…simple and heartwarming"—Consequence of Sound).
"These songs were created in a spirit of love, with the best wishes for a global community," Ed says. "It's my sincere hope that during these strange and difficult times, some people might find a little light and consolation in them."
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