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Ed O'Brien Drops Second Solo Album “Blue Morpho”

5/22/2026

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Summary

Ed O'Brien Album

Ed O’Brien released his second solo album Blue Morpho on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records.
Paul Epworth produced and co-wrote the album, which was recorded in Wales and London’s Church Studios.
The record features Phil Selway, Shabaka Hutchings, Tõnu Kõrvits, and vocalists ESKA and Awsa Bergstrom.
O’Brien says the album shows he is no longer hiding behind EOB, offered on CD, cassette, LP and as a SXSW short film.

Summary

O'Brien Tours

O'Brien will tour Europe this autumn in intimate venues, avoiding large rooms, and expects to break even.
Steve Gullick made the cover by leaving printed images in sunlight for three days, creating a weathered look.
O'Brien met producer Paul Epworth via a school-parent network, leading to a meeting that sparked collaboration.
He says his purpose as a father and husband is to create work, not music for its own sake.

History

Historical Context

During Radiohead’s 2004 hiatus, Thom Yorke released his solo debut The Eraser on XL Recordings in July 2006; the album entered the US Billboard 200 at No. 2, moving over 90,000 copies its first week. Two decades later, Ed O’Brien followed the same path with his 2026 Blue Morpho on Transgressive Records, showing how solo projects have become a regular outlet for Radiohead members to explore personal sounds.

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Ed O'Brien Album

Ed O’Brien released his second solo album Blue Morpho on 22 May 2026 via Transgressive Records.
Paul Epworth produced and co-wrote the album, which was recorded in Wales and London’s Church Studios.
The record features Phil Selway, Shabaka Hutchings, Tõnu Kõrvits, and vocalists ESKA and Awsa Bergstrom.
O’Brien says the album shows he is no longer hiding behind EOB, offered on CD, cassette, LP and as a SXSW short film.

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