Radiohead lead vocalist Thom Yorke and British producer Mark Pritchard, who have worked together creatively over many years, are now stretching their relationship further. The duo has officially announced Tall Tales, their debut-length collaborative album, and the debut of a new track, “This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice,” after a series of joint work on singles and remixes over the last few years.
The relationship between Yorke and Pritchard goes back years, with the pair initially causing a stir together in 2016 with the release of single “Beautiful People.” Pritchard’s collaboration with Yorke’s work, however, goes back even further, having remixed several Radiohead songs in the past. Both acts have a long-standing presence in the electronic and experimental music genres, with catalogs dating back to the early ’90s. Their own contributions to the genre have been hailed as revolutionary, and together their work holds out the promise of a thrilling new development.
Following on the heels of their recent single, “Back In The Game,” which emerged last month, coming early to provide a sneak peek at what Tall Tales has in store, this latest news is sure to thrill fans. The record is a major milestone, as this represents Yorke’s first time to work on a full-length project with a producer. His previous solo LP, Anima, came six years ago, and he’s been fully immersed in his work with The Smile, his band with Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner, ever since. The upcoming double LP expands his sonic explorations even further, merging his distinct vocals with Pritchard’s intricate production.
Yorke shared some insight into the creative process behind Tall Tales, reflecting on how the album came together during the pandemic:
Mark sent me a large file of MP3s of ideas during lockdown.
There were so many good ones I knew immediately that I had to leave what I was doing.
It was so much that I hadn’t been anywhere like this before, both as soon as I put my headphones on and began searching for the vocals, words, and sounds, but also, as it went on, observing Jonathan [Zawada] react so freely and spontaneously with all his video and artwork concepts.
It was mental, and I feel fortunate to have been a part of it.
*I can’t wait for this to be released, *Tall Tales* means the world to me.*
I hope people understand it and get to hear it!
The new track, “This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice,” showcases the chemistry of the duo, blending Pritchard’s off-center signature production with Yorke’s ethereal, delicate falsetto. The song includes atmospheric drones, hypnotic beats, and krautrock-influenced drum patterns, building a soundscape that is both intimate and otherworldly. Yorke’s vocals glide effortlessly over the music, adopting a soulful tenderness that recalls some of his earlier solo material from the 2000s.
Aside from the music, Tall Tales also features a robust visual aspect, with longtime collaborator Jonathan Zawada having been closely involved in crafting the album’s look, supplying surreal and emotive visuals that complement the sonic landscape of the record. His contributions to the cover art and product banners for the accompanying music videos mirror the ad-hoc and free-flowing approach of the project, further enriching the listening experience.
The expectation for Tall Tales is amplified by the creative collaboration between Yorke and Pritchard. Both artists are renowned for extending creative frontiers, and this album is likely to be an experimental fusion of their respective styles. Yorke’s poetic lyricism and characteristic voice combined with Pritchard’s dense and unorthodox production render a musical journey that defies genre conventions.
Yorke’s ongoing creative development has been compelling to watch. Though Radiohead is still one of the most iconic bands of our time, his solo career has enabled him to venture into fresh sonic landscapes, experimenting with electronic soundscapes, ambient textures, and avant-garde elements. Pritchard, meanwhile, has always been venturing into the crossovers of electronic music, ranging from ambient and IDM to jungle and experimental beats. Their partnership is a match made in heaven among these two realms, with both artists’ individual strengths complemented by the other.
For both sets of fans, Tall Tales is an interesting chance to experience Yorke’s voice in a completely different setting. Although his collaborations with The Smile have demonstrated his capacity to create raw, guitar-based songs, this album returns him to the world of electronic experimentation. Pritchard’s production offers a rich and dynamic landscape for Yorke’s vocals, creating a sound that is both retro and progressive.
As the release date for Tall Tales nears, anticipation remains high. The album is more than a musical partnership—it’s a product of creative spontaneity, created in an uncertain period when art offered a way of communication and discovery. With the duo’s past and the quality of the singles thus far, Tall Tales is set to be a highlight release in both acts’ catalogs.
Fans can take a peek at what’s next by immersing themselves in “This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice” for now. Coupled with Zawada’s evocative photographs, the track sets the tone for an album that will be riveting, unpredictable, and deeply moving. Mark Pritchard and Thom Yorke have made Tall Tales, an exploration of music and feeling that exceeds all expectations, that is at once timely and timeless.
Take in the haunting loveliness of “This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice” in the meantime as you await more news on the release of the album and future singles.
