Thom Yorke of Radiohead Releases Synth-Pop Single “Gangsters”

Thom Yorke, frontman of Radiohead, has joined forces with electronic artist Mark Pritchard to release “Gangsters,” a track blending sleek electronics with synth-pop flair. Yorke’s voice takes on an unfamiliar, almost elusive quality, veering into uncharted territory for longtime listeners.

Accompanying “Gangsters” is an animated music video with a peculiar edge. It depicts villagers donning eccentric costumes as they embark on a surreal, circus-like procession. Fans have noted in comments that, while striking, the video feels tame compared to the chaos of 2025. Australian artist Jonathan Zawada, known for his work with Coldplay and Flume, directed the piece.

“Gangsters” is a taste of Yorke and Pritchard’s forthcoming collaborative album, “Tall Tales,” set to arrive on May 9. The album will be paired with a visual companion directed by Zawada, described as “a fable of the modern world, woven with tides, kings and queens, Amazon logistics, and a robot’s hands beneath a shimmering sky.”

“Tall Tales” will be released through Warp Records, the renowned British electronic label home to luminaries like Brian Eno and Aphex Twin. According to the press release, the album is “a layered record brimming with rich textures, weaving together myriad stories and genres.” Pritchard is said to flex his expertise, coaxing new life from “archaic machines plucked from synthesizer archives” while charting unexpected creative paths. The album’s 12 tracks include February’s single, “Back in the Game.”

Radiohead’s last album, “A Moon Shaped Pool,” hit shelves nine years ago in May 2016. Lately, the band’s members have been drawn to side ventures. The Smile, featuring Yorke and Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, has already released three albums. When fans clamored for a Radiohead reunion in October, Yorke’s sharp retort made one thing clear: a return isn’t on the horizon anytime soon.