Photo: wenn
Radiohead's longtime collaborator and artist Stanley Donwood has given some insight into the band's upcoming new album - hailing it as a "work of art".
After announcing a world tour last week alongside some massive festival appearances (before headline tickets were snapped up, much to Thom Yorke's own dismay), it is hoped that the band's ninth LP should drop before the summer - especially as they've been working on the follow-up to 2011's King Of Limbs for a few years now.
Just as they did before releasing The King Of Limbs and In Rainbows, the band formed their own company with Dawn Chorus LLP earlier this year - suggesting that its release could be imminent.
Now Stanley Donwood, who has collaborated with the band on all of their artwork since 1995's The Bends, has suggested it's not quite ready for release yet.
When DIY asked if he'd heard it yet, he replied “I have. Is it done? Not yet…” and said "It's a work of art."
Currently working alongside the band in the studio, he revealed “there’s quite a lot I still have to do,” and when asked about his personal favourite Radiohead collaboration, he responded: “I’ve just had a think about this, and I think it’s the one that no-one’s seen yet. It was made by the strong warm winds of southern France.”
When pushed for an answer if the record would be released this year, he retorted with a tight-lipped "ha ha."
We also got our first taste of new material when the band unveiled their alternative James Bond theme song 'Spectre' (much to Sam Smith's dismay).
Now, fans are wondering if new artwork that's appeared on Radiohead's official W.A.S.T.E artwork is to be involved in the new album. The site is regularly updated with art by their collaborator Stanley Donwood, and it does look very much like his style and in keeping with Radiohead's sleeve work:
Back in October, the band revealed that they were adding the finishing touches to the record - having been working with collaborator Robert Ziegler on orchestration and arrangements.
Radiohead's full dates are below, with tickets available here.
Radiohead will play:
MAY 20 AMSTERDAM, HEINEKEN MUSIC HALL
MAY 21 AMSTERDAM, HEINEKEN MUSIC HALL
MAY 23 PARIS, LE ZENITH
MAY 24 PARIS, LE ZENITH
MAY 26 LONDON, ROUNDHOUSE
MAY 27 LONDON, ROUNDHOUSE
MAY 28 LONDON, ROUNDHOUSE
JULY 26 NEW YORK, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
JULY 27 NEW YORK, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
AUGUST 4 LOS ANGELES SHRINE AUDITORIUM
AUGUST 8 LOS ANGELES SHRINE AUDITORIUM
OCTOBER 3 MEXICO CITY PALACIO DE LOS DEPORTES
OCTOBER 4 MEXICO CITY PALACIO DE LOS DEPORTES
Meanwhile, the band are also set to appear at the following festivals:
JUNE 1 LES NUITS DES FOURVIERES, LYON, FRANCE
JUNE 3 PRIMAVERA SOUND, BARCELONA, SPAIN
JUNE 17 SECRET SOLSTICE, REYJKAVIK, ICELAND
JULY 2 OPENAIR ST GALLEN, SWITZERLAND
JULY 8 NOS ALIVE FESTIVAL, LISBON, PORTUGAL
JULY 29-31 OSHEAGA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL, MONTREAL, CANADA
AUGUST 20 SUMMERSONIC FESTIVAL, OSAKA, JAPAN
AUGUST 21 SUMMERSONIC FESTIVAL, TOKYO, JAPAN
SEP 11 LOLLAPALOOZA FESTIVAL, BERLIN, GERMANY
