The collaborators behind the 2015 project Junun — Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur and the Rajasthan Express — return with a new album, Ranjha, set for release on May 8. The record marks their first full-length since Junun and arrives with an eight‑minute video for the title track, a release likely to draw attention from fans of experimental rock, world music and Greenwood’s film-score work.
From a 15th‑century fort to an Oxford studio
For Junun, the group famously recorded inside the centuries‑old Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur, capturing a sound shaped as much by the location as by the musicians. For Ranjha they moved into Jonny Greenwood’s Oxford studio — the same space used by Greenwood, Thom Yorke and drummer Tom Skinner when recording as The Smile — aiming for a different set of possibilities.
Members say the shift allowed for tighter control over acoustics and production, while still encouraging experimentation using the studio’s technical features. Drummer Tom Skinner also appears on the new record, linking the sessions to Greenwood’s recent projects.
Lead single and visuals
The ensemble released the album’s title track ahead of the full record, accompanied by an extended video that runs roughly eight minutes. The piece highlights the cross‑cultural blend at the heart of the project, combining Urdu and regional Indian musical elements with Greenwood’s textural guitar work.
The single provides an early glimpse of Ranjha’s sonic palette and is likely to be the primary entry point for listeners discovering the album this week.
What to expect
- Release date: May 8, on the World Circuit label
- Core collaborators: Jonny Greenwood, Shye Ben Tzur, the Rajasthan Express
- Notable contributor: Tom Skinner (drums)
- Lead single: title track, accompanied by an eight‑minute video
Context and wider conversations
Greenwood’s longstanding interest in music beyond rock — including film scoring and collaborations with Israeli artists such as Dudu Tassa — frames this project differently than a standard band release. His personal ties to Israel (he is married to artist Sharona Katan) have also surfaced in public discussions about touring and politics within Radiohead.
Last year, Thom Yorke said the band would avoid performing in Israel while Benjamin Netanyahu remained prime minister; Greenwood has expressed a contrasting view, warning that blanket cultural boycotts can have unintended consequences. The exchange underlines how musical collaborations and geopolitical debates continue to intersect around high‑profile artists.
Ranjha — track listing
- Shiqwa
- Marbolot
- Ranjha
- Shemesh
- Shiqwa (Reprise)
- Ishq‑E‑Majnun
- Saqi
- Marbolot (Reprise)
The album’s May 8 arrival will test whether the group’s move from a historic Indian fort to a modern studio shifts their audience or the music’s character — and whether the new recordings deepen the cross‑cultural conversation that began with Junun.
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Hello, I’m Atlas. I explore the latest musical releases for you and guide you to your next sonic favorites.