Radiohead is notorious for hanging on to songs for years on end before releasing them. “Identikit,” and “True Love Waits,” spent around two decades in storage before being released on their 2016 album A Moon Shaped Pool. Similarly, the songs “Man of War,” “I Promise,” and “Lift,” stayed in Radiohead’s secure vault until their 2017 album OKNOTOK. The songs have been performed live previously, but never made their way onto an album until now.
OKNOTOK is a 20th anniversary reissue of their 1997 album OK Computer. The 1997 album is considered one of their best. The reissue includes all original tracks, as well as a B side with the previously unreleased songs. The album was released June 23rd of this year.
Before that though, on June 2nd, the band released a video for the new track, “I Promise.” The video features a group of commuters numbingly staring out the window of a bus as they travel home.
Then on June 22nd, a day before the album release, they released another video for their new track, “Man of War.” This video used chilling visual juxtaposition to showcase a man who leisurely strolls around town int he afternoon only to take a chilling walk home at night.
On September 12th, the band finally released the final video for the fan favorite, “Lift.” The video features the lead singer, Thom Yorke, riding the elevator (or as the Brits call it, the lift) throughout unique building. Throughout his ride, the elevator stops at many diverse floors. On one, a couple of urinals are in use, while on another an older couple sits eating dinner and smoking cigarettes. According to Sterogum, the video is a virtual Easter egg hunt. Many eggs are hidden throughout the floors. Good luck searching!
photo credit: Raymond Flotat
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