Junun

Description

Junun is the debut collaborative album by composer Shye Ben Tzur, Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, and the Indian ensemble the Rajasthan Express. Originally released in November 2015, the album was recorded in a makeshift studio within the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, India. Radioheads longtime producer Nigel Godrich worked on the album, creating a 2LP/CD release.

World Circuit is set to reissue Junun on 16th January 2026, marking the albums 10th anniversary. This special edition will be available as a 2LP Gatefold Yellow & Orange Marble vinyl.

The album features Ben Tzurs compositions, which incorporate devotional Sufi qawwal musicians singing in Urdu and Hebrew. Greenwood contributed guitar, bass, keyboards, ondes Martenot, and programming, aiming to use chords sparingly and instead focusing on North Indian ragas. The recording process sought to capture the roughness of Indian music, avoiding the high fidelity often found in world music recordings.

The making of Junun was also documented by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, offering an intimate look at the creative process and vibrant daily life during the albums production. His film, also titled Junun, debuted at the New York Film Festival in October 2015.

Junun (an alternate spelling of junoon, meaning mania or the madness of love) received widespread critical acclaimincluding Album of the Year honors from The Sunday Times, who called it one of the most inspired releases of the year and intriguing, sinuous, and essential listening. The group also supported Radioheads 2018 Moon Shaped Pool tour, performing under the name Junun.

The 10th anniversary reissue of Junun will precede the follow-up album, Ranjha to be announced soon.