Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien has addressed growing speculation about the band’s future, revealing that despite recent activity involving the group, there have been no conversations about recording a new album.
The comments come at a time when excitement around Radiohead has been building. Earlier in 2026, reports emerged that the members had reunited for rehearsal sessions, leading many fans to wonder whether the acclaimed British band was preparing to return with its first studio album since 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool.
However, according to O’Brien, those expectations may be running ahead of reality.
Speaking about the band’s current situation, O’Brien explained that while the members remain close and recently spent time together musically, the idea of making a new Radiohead record has not yet been discussed. He emphasized that there has been no formal planning regarding another album and suggested that fans should not interpret recent rehearsals as evidence that a new project is already underway.
The guitarist’s comments highlight the unique way Radiohead has operated for much of the past decade. Since releasing A Moon Shaped Pool in May 2016, the band has largely focused on individual projects rather than traditional band activity.
During that period, Thom Yorke remained highly active through solo releases, film scores, and collaborations. Yorke also launched The Smile alongside fellow Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner, releasing multiple critically acclaimed albums and touring extensively.
Greenwood has similarly maintained a busy schedule, continuing his celebrated film-composing career while balancing work with The Smile. Meanwhile, O’Brien released his debut solo album Earth in 2020, and drummer Philip Selway has continued to pursue solo music and soundtrack work.
Despite those separate creative paths, O’Brien made it clear that Radiohead remains a functioning band rather than a closed chapter. He noted that the members still enjoy playing together and that the recent rehearsals were a positive experience. The gathering reportedly marked one of the band’s first opportunities in years to reconnect in a rehearsal environment.
Those sessions reignited hopes among fans who have spent nearly a decade waiting for another Radiohead release. Since A Moon Shaped Pool debuted in 2016, the band’s future has frequently been the subject of speculation, especially as Yorke and Greenwood’s work with The Smile gained momentum.
O’Brien’s latest remarks suggest that while the possibility of future Radiohead music remains alive, there is currently no roadmap in place. The guitarist appeared comfortable with the uncertainty, implying that the band has always preferred to let projects develop naturally rather than force a timetable.
That approach has defined Radiohead throughout much of their career. Rather than following predictable release cycles, the band has often disappeared for extended periods before returning with new ideas and unexpected creative directions.
For now, Radiohead’s status remains somewhere between reunion and hiatus. The members have proven they are still willing to come together, but according to O’Brien, any discussion about a new album remains a conversation for another day.
For fans hoping that recent rehearsal reports signaled an imminent announcement, O’Brien’s update may not be the answer they wanted. At the same time, the fact that the band is spending time together again offers its own reason for optimism.
The door remains open—but as of now, Radiohead haven’t even started talking about what might come next.
