Description
Ed O’Brien EOB – Earth – Vinyl Record
The debut album from Ed O’Brien of Radiohead
Earth is the debut solo album by Ed O’Brien, released under the moniker EOB on April 17, 2020. Best known as the guitarist and backing vocalist for Radiohead, O’Brien had long contributed to that band’s rich sonic textures, but Earth marks his first time stepping into the role of frontman. The result is a vibrant and exploratory album that reflects his global influences, personal philosophy, and love for rhythm-driven, immersive soundscapes. It’s not a “Radiohead-lite” album — nor is it a dramatic departure — but rather a deeply human, optimistic, and rhythmically expansive statement from an artist long in the background who finally lets his own voice shine.
Created over several years and largely inspired by O’Brien’s time living in Brazil, Earth is rooted in rhythm, groove, and an uplifting spiritual energy, with influences ranging from Afrobeat, dub, and electronic music to classic British rock and folk. The album was produced by Flood (known for his work with U2, Depeche Mode, and Nine Inch Nails), and features contributions from Omar Hakim (drums), Nathan East (bass), and Laura Marling (vocals on “Cloak of the Night”). The result is a textured, organic sound that feels far more communal than introspective — a contrast to the more cerebral, sometimes isolating feel of Radiohead’s catalog.
The album opens with “Shangri-La,” a shimmering track driven by propulsive percussion and bright, looping guitar lines. It sets the tone for the record: expansive, hopeful, and rhythmically infectious. O’Brien sings about letting go and stepping into the light — themes that recur throughout the album, tied to his broader view of connection and unity. His voice, while not as idiosyncratic as Thom Yorke’s, is warm and earnest, with a kind of unpolished charm that suits the album’s earthy aesthetic.
“Brasil,” the album’s centerpiece, is a nearly 9-minute journey that begins as a meditative folk song before transforming into a hypnotic, motorik groove reminiscent of Krautrock and electronic music. With its pulsating rhythm and gradually building layers, it reflects O’Brien’s love for movement — both physical and emotional — and showcases his ability to blend genres seamlessly. The track’s shift from acoustic intimacy to full-band euphoria is one of the album’s most thrilling moments, and it embodies the core of Earth: transformation, motion, and connection.
Other highlights include “Deep Days,” a wistful and melodic tune about memory and presence, and “Mass,” which leans into atmospheric electronic textures while exploring disorientation and faith. “Olympik” brings in a heavy, almost danceable rhythm with layered vocals and reverb-soaked guitars, creating a sense of forward momentum and cosmic unity. The album ends on a quiet note with “Cloak of the Night,” a gentle acoustic duet with Laura Marling that brings things full circle — from expansive soundscapes to intimate reflection.
Earth avoids political or dystopian narratives in favor of a more spiritual and hopeful perspective. Themes of nature, light, love, and the collective human experience run throughout the record. O’Brien has spoken openly about his desire to make an album that is “healing” and “open-hearted,” and that intent is felt in the album’s emotional warmth and rhythmic vitality. It’s music that invites movement, community, and introspection without ever becoming heavy or self-important.
Earth was well received for its sonic ambition and sincerity. Many praised O’Brien for crafting an album that stands apart from Radiohead while still bearing the hallmarks of their sonic experimentation. It may not have the stark innovation of Radiohead’s most groundbreaking work, but that’s part of its charm: Earth is not trying to shatter forms — it’s trying to bring people together, to reconnect with rhythm, nature, and joy.
In the context of solo projects by Radiohead members, Earth stands as a unique statement. While Thom Yorke’s solo work tends to be introspective and digitally fragmented, and Jonny Greenwood’s leans toward classical and cinematic realms, Ed O’Brien’s debut is soulful, earthy, and outward-looking. It celebrates the physical world, the body in motion, and the beauty of being alive. For fans of rhythmic, genre-blending, emotionally open music, Earth is a rewarding listen — one that grows deeper with each spin.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Shangri-La
Brasil
Deep Days
Long Time Coming
Mass
Banksters
BSail On
Olympik
Cloak Of The Night
