Ed O'Brien says Radiohead have found their swagger

Ed O'Brien tells NME that the mood in Radiohead is brilliant after the frosty sessions for Kid A and Amnesiac, and that the new songs have space, sunshine and energy in them. You know that time when bands begin to swagger, like when the Stones got in a groove from '68 to '73? In the last two years, I think we've done that.¹ He rates the sixth album as the best of The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A and Amnesiac rolled into one.

Phil Selway said at New Year that the recording itself took only eight weeks, in Los Angeles and Oxford, though the band had been preparing since April 2002, and that the short sessions were meant to keep a live feel. Many of the songs have already been heard, on tour last year and in a webcast from the band's website shortly before Christmas.

Recording is finished, and the mixing runs until mid-February at least. The album is due in mid-June, for now under two working titles, “2+2=5” and “Are You Listening”.

In Q's new March issue Selway says the standout is Thom Yorke's singing, which reminded the others that he is in a league of his own. I don't think we've ever felt so self assured in the studio. This time no shit hit the fan.¹