If you are a fan of Thom Yorke and his work with Radiohead or The Smile, you probably know he does not stop. He is always creating. This past week brought us a fresh piece of his music, a theme song called "Dialing In" for a new Apple TV+ series called Smoke. It is a track Yorke has performed live before, sometimes under the name "Gawpers." Now it is out for everyone to hear, adding another unique item to his long list of musical projects.
The series Smoke sounds pretty intense. It follows a detective named Jurnee Smollett and an arson investigator, Taron Egerton. They are trying to catch a pair of serial arsonists causing fires all over the Pacific Northwest. I can see why a show like that would want Yorke's music. His sounds often have a certain unsettling mood that fits dark stories. It is one of those unexpected collaborations that makes you take notice.
Dennis Lehane, the creator and executive producer of Smoke, had some strong words about working with Yorke. He said working with Yorke was as big an honor as working with Clint Eastwood or Martin Scorsese. That is high praise if you ask me. Lehane said Yorke took a basic idea and gave them a song that "perfectly embodies the show and absolutely crushes." Hearing praise like that from a creator always makes me think the music truly connects with the visuals and story.
Thom Yorke's Expanding Musical Projects and Recent Collaborative Ventures Showing His Continued Creativity
From Solo Works to New Albums and Film Scores, Yorke Keeps Pushing His Artistic Boundaries
This new theme song for Smoke is just one piece of Yorke's busy schedule. He recently put out a new collaborative album with electronic producer Mark Pritchard. That album is called Tall Tales. It shows Yorke's willingness to work with other artists and explore different sounds. His solo work and projects outside of Radiohead have always been interesting. They give him a chance to experiment in ways that might not fit with his main bands.
Critics of Tall Tales noted how it still carried some of that serious, sometimes gloomy, tone that people associate with Radiohead. But they also pointed out that Yorke seems to find a strange kind of fun in playing with different voices and electronic sounds on the album. He uses affected and synthetic voices almost like disguises. It sounds like he is letting go of some inhibitions. This is a contrast to his work with The Smile, which has a more jazzy, prog-rock feel and sometimes lets a little light shine through. It is clear that Yorke is not afraid to try new things and keep his music fresh.
For a long time, Yorke has been known for music that can be quite dark or abstract. His work has covered everything from rock to electronic music and film scores. It is impressive how he keeps finding new ways to express himself. This new song for Smoke is another example of that. It reminds us that he is not just resting on his past successes but continues to push himself creatively. That is something I always respect in an artist.
Thom Yorke Breaks His Silence and Addresses the Israel-Gaza Conflict with a Public Statement
After Facing Criticism, The Artist Explains His Stance and His Thoughts on Public Pressure
Beyond his music, Thom Yorke made headlines recently for something much more serious: a public statement about the conflict in Israel and Gaza. This came after some online criticism. He also had a tough moment during a solo show in Melbourne last year. A fan in the audience shouted at him about the issue, which put him on the spot. He explained that it did not feel like the right time to talk about such a big, heartbreaking issue while he was on stage alone with his guitar.
Yorke said he was shocked that his quietness was being seen as taking a side. He found it hard to figure out how to respond and continue with his tour. He finally shared his thoughts on Instagram and Bluesky. In his statement, he reaffirmed his opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, and his government. He had done this before during Radiohead's shows in Israel back in 2017. He believes Netanyahu and his team of extremists are "totally out of control and need to be stopped." He thinks the world should push them to stop.
Yorke went on to say that Israel's "excuse of self-defence has long since worn thin." He feels it has been replaced by a "transparent desire to take control of Gaza and the West Bank permanently." He also spoke out against Hamas, calling their actions on October 7 "horrific." He wondered why Hamas chose those terrible acts. He believes Hamas also hides behind the suffering of its people for their own gain. It is a complicated situation and Yorke seems to acknowledge that without shying away from his own strong feelings.
Yorke's Thoughts on Social Media, Public Statements, and Finding Common Ground
The Musician Expresses His Discomfort with Online "Witch-Hunts" and Calls for More Understanding
A big part of Yorke's statement was about his feelings on social media and the pressure on artists to make statements. He felt that online "witch-hunts" on either side, pushing artists and others to speak out, do "very little except heighten the tension, fear and over-simplification of what are complex problems." He believes these issues need face-to-face debate by people who truly want the killing to stop and understanding to be found. I agree with him on that point. Online debates often become shouting matches instead of real conversations.
Yorke understands the desire to "do something" when people see such terrible suffering on their devices every day. He says that feeling makes complete sense. However, he thinks it is "a dangerous illusion" to believe that reposting or short messages are truly meaningful. Especially, he added, if it is to condemn "your fellow human beings." He warned that these actions can have unintended consequences. He hopes that the world can move past these dark times by rediscovering what people share in common. He wishes the extremists would go back to where they came from. He is praying that people can collectively regain their humanity and dignity.
Yorke admitted that his statement might not satisfy everyone. He expects some people will still try to find flaws and reasons to keep criticizing him or those he works with. It shows he is aware of the intense scrutiny public figures face when they speak on such sensitive issues. His Radiohead bandmate Jonny Greenwood has also faced calls for boycotts because he continued to play shows in Israel. It is a tough spot for artists to be in. They often get caught in the middle of these heated debates.
Looking Ahead: Thom Yorke's Continued Artistic Presence Amidst Global Challenges
Balancing Creative Output and Speaking Out on Important World Events
Thom Yorke's recent activity shows he is navigating both his creative life and the complicated world we live in. He is still making new music, exploring different sounds, and collaborating with other artists. At the same time, he is willing to speak his mind on difficult global issues, even when he knows it will not please everyone. It is a balancing act that many public figures face.
His new song for Smoke reminds us of his unique musical voice. His statement on Israel and Gaza reminds us that he is a human being with strong convictions, not just an artist. It is good to see him continuing to create. It is also important that he feels he can speak out on what matters to him. I think his fans appreciate both sides of his public presence. He remains a significant voice in music and beyond.