Radiohead singer and songwriter Thom Yorke gave fans an acoustic sneak peek at some potential new Radiohead tunes, including “Silent Spring” and “Desert Island Disk” at the Pathway to Paris concerts in France. The shows were set up to coincide with the United Nations Climate Change Conferences being held in France currently. Yorke is a long time advocate for fighting man-made climate change, and speaks out on the subject whenever he can. He even took to Greenpeace‘s float in a London march before the conference opened to speak out and spin songs for the rally goers.
It’s hard to imagine what final forms the songs will take, as Radiohead is well known for layering hundreds of effects and distortions into their compositions, however, Yorke does hint that these songs are in the works for the upcoming album. At 2:28 of “Silent Spring”, he says, “This is Jonny [Greenwood]’s bit,” hinting that it is indeed a possible new Radiohead song.Â
The haunting opening line, “Hope is not a phantom”, in “Silent Spring” and the restrained yet powerful renditions had those in attendance spellbound. Any new material from one of the biggest bands in the world is a cause for fans to rejoice, and if these teases are anything to go by, the next Radiohead album will stand strong amid their already notable catalog. Check out the tunes below.
“Silent Spring”
“Desert Island Disk”
Earlier this week, Yorke and Flea reunited as Atoms For Peace in support of a stimulating conversation about climate change on a French television program. Watch their performance and interview here.
[H/TÂ Pitchfork]