The frontman of the alternative rock band Radiohead since 1985, Yorke's first singles as a solo artist were as a featured vocalist on the singles "El President" by Drugstore (which reached the top 20 in the UK) and "Rabbit in Your Headlights" by Unkle.

In 2006, Yorke released his debut solo album, The Eraser, an exploration of electronica.

The album was released by XL Recordings, peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart and number two on the Billboard 200, and included Yorke's highest-charting single, "Harrowdown Hill".

A B-sides compilation, Spitting Feathers, was released in 2006, followed by a remix album, The Eraser Rmxs, in 2008.

After releasing the double A-side single "FeelingPulledApartByHorses/TheHollowEarth" and collaborations with the singer Björk and the electronic duo Modeselektor, Yorke self-released his second solo album Tomorrow's Modern Boxes through BitTorrent in 2014, featuring electronic beats and textured synthesisers.