Radiohead finally reunites the twin albums that redefined their sound two decades ago
In short: In 2021, Radiohead released Kid A Mnesia, a comprehensive reissue of their landmark 2000 and 2001 albums. By combining the original records with a third disc of previously unreleased material, the band invited listeners to revisit the dense, experimental sessions that once challenged the boundaries of rock and electronic music.
Recorded simultaneously between 1999 and 2000, Kid A and Amnesiac were originally envisioned as a single double album. However, the band ultimately decided the material was too dense for a single release, opting to split the tracks across two separate projects. Two decades later, Kid A Mnesia serves as a retrospective, compiling both albums alongside Kid Amnesiae, a collection of B-sides and previously unheard recordings. Notably, the original albums were not remastered for this release, preserving the sonic character of the era.
The bonus material provides a window into the band's creative process, featuring tracks like the acoustic "Follow Me Around" and a piano-led arrangement of "Like Spinning Plates." Critics were divided on the value of these additions. While some, such as the NME, hailed the bonus disc as a "secret history" of the band, others like Pitchfork argued it lacked the revelatory impact of Radiohead's previous reissue, OKNOTOK 1997 2017. Despite these mixed reactions, the collection achieved significant commercial success, topping multiple Billboard charts and receiving universal acclaim on Metacritic.
Beyond the music, the project embraced digital innovation. Radiohead collaborated with Epic Games and other developers to create the Kid A Mnesia Exhibition, an interactive digital experience released for PlayStation 5, macOS, and Windows. This intersection of art and technology eventually manifested in a physical form at the 2026 Coachella festival. By blending archival material with modern exhibition techniques, the project solidified the status of these albums as a monument to the band's most experimental period, highlighting their enduring influence on artists who blend rock and electronic textures.
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