Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke – The Spirit

Just a day before the release of their collaborative album “Tall Tales,” electronic music maestro Mark Pritchard and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke have shared “The Spirit,” perhaps the most unexpected offering from their forthcoming project. The track arrives alongside a visually striking video directed by Jonathan Zawada, who’s earned his unofficial status as the duo’s “third member” through his creative direction of all the album’s visual components.

The song’s creation process reveals the unique collaborative method underpinning the “Tall Tales” project. Working primarily via email exchanges, the pair faced particular challenges with “The Spirit,” which Pritchard described as one of the album’s most difficult tracks. Initially constructed at a faster tempo with old-school drum patterns, the composition underwent a significant transformation when Yorke advocated for their removal to create space for his vocal performance. This led Pritchard to reimagine the rhythmic foundation, ultimately emphasizing bass and subtle percussion elements that complement rather than compete with Yorke’s distinctive delivery.

“The Spirit” joins previously released singles “Back in the Game,” “This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice,” and “Gangsters,” completing the preview cycle before tomorrow’s album release. Each track has been accompanied by Zawada’s visual interpretations, creating a cohesive aesthetic universe around the project.

To celebrate the album’s arrival, Warp Records has organized a special global cinema event where fans can experience “Tall Tales” alongside Zawada’s feature-length film accompaniment—a day before the official release. This unique screening event underscores the multimedia ambition behind the project, highlighting how the collaboration extends beyond just music into a rich visual domain.