By: Langan Kingsley
Emails From Radiohead’s Label Trying To Get Them To Change The Album Name
Radiohead released their new album, A Moon Shaped Pool, to critical acclaim. These leaked emails between the band and their label ‘s marketing director show it wasn ‘t the first name they considered ‘

From: josh@XLrecordings.com
Subject: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Hey Dudes,
Josh from the label here–just wanted to check in and see if there was any update on the titles of your new album. Super psyched to see what you guys are gonna come up with!
Peace,
Josh

From: radioheadtheband@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Hey Josh,
Thanks. Though we liked your suggestions we ended up going with the one we had discussed internally: ‘A Moon Shaped Pool. ‘
Best,
Thom, Jonny, Colin, Ed, and Phillip

From: josh@XLrecordings.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Hey Players,
Whoa, first off, glad you took my advice and signed up for the ‘Radiohead ‘ google group I created–isn ‘t this a much easier way to send emails? Pretty tight.
Second up, I totally understand that you guys really dug that ‘Moon Shaped Pool ‘ title, but I don ‘t think it ‘s giving us the edge we want. Lemme just run these by you real quick:
‘Radiohead: WE ‘RE BACK, BABY! ‘
‘Radiohead LIVE ‘
‘Hardcore Radiohead ‘
‘Radiohead: Loud n ‘ Fast ‘
‘Roadio Head ‘ (do you get this one? It ‘s a play on road head, which is when someone gives you oral sex while you ‘re driving)
Lemme know what you think!
Adioski,
Josh

From: radioheadtheband@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Hi Josh,
Again, thanks for sending along those suggestions but we are sticking with ‘A Moon Shaped Pool. ‘
Best,
Thom, Jonny, Colin, Ed, and Phillip

From: josh@XLrecordings.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
My Brahs,
Look, I love music and I love you guys as artists–that ‘s why I got into this business in the first place. I have so much respect for you guys it ‘s crazy.
That said, I just wonder if the moon-shaped pool has to be moon-shaped, you know? Like maybe we could do heart shaped (romantic), star shaped (artsy), gun shaped (hardcore), or breast shaped (sexy)? Imagine swimming in a pool shaped like a great pair of knockers–pretty tight, right?
BLAM,
Josh

From: radioheadtheband@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Hey Josh,
Again, thank you for the input, but we ‘re going to stick with ‘A Moon Shaped Pool. ‘
Best,
Thom, Jonny, Colin, Ed, and Phillip

From: josh@XLrecordings.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Hello There My Main Men,
OK, message received. But it ‘s cool, I think this is gonna be a great summer album–everyone loves pool parties–diving boards, beers, blondes in bikinis. Our art department just mocked up a cover andI think you ‘re gonna love it:
Just give me an AOK and we ‘ll get this ball rolling!
Love You Each Like a Brother,
Josh

From: radioheadtheband@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Dear Josh,
We actually have cover art for the album illustrated by Stanley Donwood, who has worked with us since 1994.
Best,
Thom, Jonny, Colin, Ed, and Phillip

From: josh@XLrecordings.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Squad,
Whoa. Okay. Um. Gonna be honest: it looks like nothing and makes no sense. But if that ‘s what you ‘re feeling, I respect ya and I say go for it.
Maybe we can get someone AWESOME to direct your first music video. Like Michael Bay or McG or Quentin Tarantino??? Something with a lotta sexy dancing–maybe it takes place in a big mansion or palace and you ‘re pouring champagne everywhere? I ‘m loving how we ‘re vibing here!
J-Baby Out

From: radioheadtheband@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Dear Josh,
Actually we already enlisted Christopher Hopewell to help us with stop-motion animation film using the imagery of 1970s British Children ‘s Shows a la Trumpton Trilogy. Here ‘s a still so you get a sense of the aesthetic:
Best,
Thom, Jonny, Colin, Ed, and Phillip

From: josh@XLrecordings.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Um. Okay. Cool. Yea, that could be cool. What ‘s the name of the first single?

From: radioheadtheband@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Dear Josh,
It’s called “Burn the Witch.”
Best,
Thom, Jonny, Colin, Ed, and Phillip

From: josh@XLrecordings.com
Subject: Re: New Album–Brainstorm Thread!!!!
Damn. You guys are trying to make my job really hard, right? That ‘s so cool and I totally respect that. True artistry.
Now let ‘s talk about social media presence–we gotta get ya all over the web, baby!!!