OK Computer came out in 1997, and it’s the album that really marked Radiohead stepping into a bigger, more adventurous world. By this point, they’d already had success with The Bends, but OK Computer feels like the moment they started pushing the boundaries of rock, blending electronics, atmosphere, and experimental touches into something cinematic and immersive.

The sound is expansive, moody, and slightly unsettling at times. There are soaring guitars, intricate rhythms, and layers of synths and textures that give the album a futuristic, almost dystopian vibe. Thom Yorke’s vocals float above it all, often conveying alienation, anxiety, and melancholy, while the arrangements balance tension and beauty in a way that keeps you hooked. It’s rock, but it’s not afraid to drift into electronic and ambient territory, making it feel timeless and otherworldly.

Tracks like “Paranoid Android” and “Karma Police” are instant standouts with their memorable melodies and dramatic shifts, while songs like “No Surprises” offer a quiet, haunting counterpoint. Even the less obvious tracks pull you in with subtle hooks and layered instrumentation, rewarding repeated listens.

What makes OK Computer still worth revisiting today is how it holds up both emotionally and sonically. It’s ambitious without being overblown, intricate but still listenable, and full of moments that make you think and feel. It’s one of those albums that keeps revealing new details the more you dive in, which is why it remains a classic and a joy to return to.