The Thom Yorke & Co. Deep Dive: 5 Must-Know New Projects And The Smile's Surprise Third Album, 'Cutouts'

The artistic output of Thom Yorke continues to defy categorization, with the visionary frontman and songwriter consistently launching new projects that challenge and reward his global fanbase. As of late 2024, his focus remains sharp on his primary side project, The Smile, which has just delivered a significant and unexpected new body of work, cementing its status as more than just a temporary diversion. This deep dive uncovers the most current and essential projects, collaborations, and personal developments from the Radiohead icon.

The phrase "Thom Yorke and" has never been more relevant, representing a constantly evolving network of elite musicians and producers. From a surprise third album with The Smile—released just months after their second—to a new electronic collaboration and a venture into fashion, Yorke remains one of the most prolific and influential artists in modern music, ensuring his work is always fresh and essential.

Thomas Edward Yorke: A Brief Biography and Essential Entities

Thomas Edward Yorke, born on October 7, 1968, is an English musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the rock band Radiohead. His distinct falsetto, introspective lyrics, and experimental approach to music have made him one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary music. Outside of his core band, his career is defined by a relentless exploration of electronic and experimental sounds through various side projects and solo efforts.

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• Full Name: Thomas Edward Yorke
• Born: October 7, 1968 (Age 56 as of late 2024)
• Place of Birth: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England
• Primary Band: Radiohead (formed in 1985)
• Key Side Projects: The Smile, Atoms for Peace
• Solo Albums: The Eraser (2006), Tomorrow's Modern Boxes (2014), Anima (2019)
• Spouse: Dajana Roncione (m. 2020)
• Children: Noah Yorke (b. 2001) and Agnes Yorke (b. 2004) with his late partner, Rachel Owen.
• Key Collaborators: Nigel Godrich, Jonny Greenwood, Tom Skinner, Mark Pritchard, Burial, Four Tet, Flea.

The Smile's Third Surprise: The 'Cutouts' Album and Discography Update

The most significant and current news surrounding Thom Yorke is the rapid-fire release schedule of his trio, The Smile, featuring Radiohead bandmate Jonny Greenwood and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner. The band has quickly established itself as a formidable force, moving from a "side project" to a primary vehicle for Yorke and Greenwood's most experimental ideas.

The Smile’s discography has grown at an astonishing pace since their debut, A Light for Attracting Attention, in 2022. This was followed by the critically acclaimed Wall of Eyes, which was only released in January 2024. However, the biggest surprise of the year is the announcement and release of their third studio album, Cutouts, which arrived on October 4, 2024.

This quick turnaround, less than nine months after their previous album, showcases a period of intense creativity and a desire to release music as soon as it's completed, a stark contrast to Radiohead's often lengthy album cycles. The release was accompanied by new singles like "Foreign Spies" and "Zero Sum," demonstrating the band's continued exploration of krautrock rhythms, post-punk energy, and electronic textures.

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The trio's chemistry, often facilitated by longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, has been lauded for its spontaneity and raw energy, which is particularly evident in their live performances and the subsequent studio recordings. The *Cutouts* album solidifies The Smile as a major entity in Yorke’s career, arguably the most important one outside of Radiohead itself.

Essential 2024 Collaborations and Projects Beyond The Smile

While The Smile dominates the headlines, Thom Yorke’s desire to collaborate and explore different artistic mediums remains strong. His recent partnerships highlight his versatility, moving fluidly between electronic music, fashion, and film.

The Return of Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard

One of the most notable recent collaborations is the reunion with electronic music polymath Mark Pritchard. The duo released a new single, "Back in the Game," a track that had been previously performed live during Yorke's 2024 tour. This collaboration sees Pritchard digitally distorting Yorke's distinctive vocals over a complex electronic soundscape, continuing the experimental path they first explored on Pritchard's 2016 album, *Under the Sun*, and the joint project *Tall Tales*.

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This work is a testament to Yorke's deep roots in the electronic music scene, a genre he has often embraced in his solo work, such as The Eraser and Anima, and his work with artists like Burial and Four Tet.

Thom Yorke and Dajana Roncione: A Personal and Artistic Partnership

Yorke's personal life occasionally intersects with his artistic endeavors. He married Italian actress Dajana Roncione in 2020 in a ceremony in Sicily. More recently, Yorke has offered his support to his wife's own foray into music. Roncione, who is also a Sicilian actress, released a song for which Yorke provided assistance on the music video, showing a supportive artistic partnership that extends beyond their personal life.

Thom Yorke and Jun Takahashi: The UNDERCOVER Collection

In a surprising move that bridges music and high fashion, an UNDERCOVER x Thom Yorke Collection was released in November 2024. This collaboration with Japanese designer Jun Takahashi, a longtime admirer of Yorke’s work, underscores the musician's cultural influence that extends far beyond the recording studio. The collection’s aesthetic often mirrors the dark, introspective, and slightly unsettling themes found in Yorke’s music.

The Legacy of Side Projects and Topical Authority

Understanding "Thom Yorke and" means recognizing the foundational side projects that paved the way for The Smile's success and established his topical authority outside of Radiohead. These projects demonstrate his commitment to collaboration and his drive to push musical boundaries.

Atoms for Peace

Formed to perform material from his 2006 solo debut, The Eraser, Atoms for Peace was a supergroup featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, producer Nigel Godrich, drummer Joey Waronker, and percussionist Mauro Refosco. Their 2013 album, Amok, was a significant exploration of electronic and funk-infused rhythms, proving Yorke could successfully front a band outside of the Radiohead framework.

Film Scores and Solo Work

Yorke has also developed a strong reputation as a film composer, most notably for his acclaimed, unnerving soundtrack to the 2018 horror film Suspiria. His solo albums, including Anima (2019), often serve as a canvas for his most experimental electronic ideas, frequently accompanied by visual elements and short films directed by the likes of Paul Thomas Anderson.

The constant evolution of Thom Yorke’s career, from the stadium-rock of Radiohead to the intricate rhythms of Atoms for Peace, and now the highly prolific output of The Smile, ensures that every new release or collaboration is an event. With the October 2024 release of Cutouts, and his continuous stream of collaborations, Thom Yorke continues to be one of the most vital and forward-thinking figures in music.