Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard Announce Joint Project

Mark Pritchard and Thom Yorke have joined forces to release their first collaborative album, Tall Tales, due out on May 9. This partnership between the celebrated British electronic musician and the Radiohead frontman is the culmination of nearly five years of work. Their creative synergy was previously showcased in their 2016 collaboration on the track “Beautiful People.”

In the lead-up to the album's release, Pritchard and Yorke have unveiled a new track, “This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice,” complete with a captivating black-and-white music video directed by Jonathan Zawada, who has been described as an unofficial third member of the group due to his significant contributions to the project’s visual elements.

The collaborative spirit between Yorke and Pritchard has been long-standing, dating back to when Radiohead toured Australia in 2016. However, it was the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 that intensified their musical exchanges, leading to the development of Tall Tales. Yorke described receiving a large file of MP3s from Pritchard during lockdown, filled with inspiring musical ideas. Impressed by the creative potential of the material, Yorke was compelled to delve into the project, quickly setting aside other commitments to focus on the music. The album represents a new artistic journey for Yorke, who expressed how he had “not been anywhere like this before,” emphasizing the novel experience of working so closely with Pritchard and Zawada.

The track “This Conversation is Missing Your Voice,” the second single from the album, showcases Yorke's signature feathery falsetto layered over Pritchard's unique blend of sustained electronic drones and krautrock-style rhythms. This production style aligns closely with Yorke’s previous solo endeavors, blending emotional lyrics with compelling electronic beats. The accompanying music video by Zawada is part of a larger feature-length film that has been developed alongside the album over the years. Both this single and the previously released “Back in the Game,” which debuted during live performances at the Sydney Opera House, will be featured in this film. They have planned a one-night-only screening of the film in select theaters worldwide, giving fans a chance to fully experience the visual and auditory elements of the project as intended.

Apart from this project, Yorke is involved with The Smile, another musical endeavor with fellow Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood. Pritchard, on the other hand, has continued to contribute to the electronic music scene since the early 1990s, having released music under multiple aliases such as Global Communication and Harmonic 313. Their joint effort on Tall Tales has piqued interest among fans and critics alike, eager to hear how their distinct musical styles coalesce.

Tall Tales will feature an eclectic mix of 12 tracks, including “A Fake in a Faker’s World,” “Bugging Out Again,” “The Spirit,” and “Wandering Genie.” As a highly anticipated release, this album not only highlights the duo's musical chemistry but also promises to be a significant addition to their discographies. Pre-orders for the album are currently available, with fans eager to secure their copies as the release date approaches.

Check Out Thom Yorke/Mark Pritchard's “This Conversation is Missing Your Voice” Here: