Music discovery · Influence explorer

Artists like Jonny Greenwood — and the music that made them

Alternative Rock/Film Composer · 1991–present

Radiohead's sonic architect crafting haunting orchestral rock landscapes

Jonny Greenwood is the lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist for Radiohead, whose innovative use of electronics, unconventional guitar techniques, and orchestral arrangements helped redefine alternative rock from the 1990s onward. Beyond Radiohead, he's become one of cinema's most celebrated composers, creating haunting scores for films like 'There Will Be Blood' and 'Phantom Thread' that blend classical orchestration with his signature experimental edge.

Essential tracks

►Paranoid Android

►How to Disappear Completely

►Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

Did you know

He's a classically trained viola player who studied music at Oxford Brookes University

His iconic guitar sound on 'Creep' was created by intentionally trying to ruin the song because he hated it

He composed his first film score for 'There Will Be Blood' using a 60-piece orchestra despite having no formal film scoring training

“Orchestral arrangements meet radiohead's electronic experimentalism in cinematic soundscapes.”

generations
of influence

If you like Jonny Greenwood, try these

Mica Levi

Creates unsettling film scores that blend orchestral writing with electronic textures.

2010s · Film Composer

Ben Frost

Combines acoustic instruments with harsh electronics to create intense atmospheric pieces.

2000s · Experimental Electronic

Max Richter

Merges classical composition with modern production techniques for emotionally powerful results.

2000s · Neo-Classical

Clint Mansell

Crafts film scores that balance orchestral grandeur with experimental electronic elements.

1990s · Film Composer

Tim Hecker

Creates dense, layered compositions that blur the line between ambient and noise.

2000s · Ambient Electronic

Ólafur Arnalds

Combines string arrangements with electronic processing for cinematic, emotional impact.

2000s · Neo-Classical

But where did the sound actually come from?

Influence tree

Trace Jonny Greenwood's roots back through history

Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.

Jonny Greenwood

1991–present

Krzysztof Penderecki

1960–2020

cited

Olivier Messiaen

1930–1992

cited

György Ligeti

1950–2006

cited

Maurice Ravel

1890–1937

sonic

Béla Bartók

1905–1945

cited

Charles Ives

1890–1954

sonic

Igor Stravinsky

1905–1971

movement

Claude Debussy

1885–1918

sonic

↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.

What makes the sound

Sonic elements

Ondes Martenot and orchestral arrangements

Dissonant string writing and microtonal techniques

Found sound sampling and tape manipulation

Guitar feedback and prepared instruments

Start with these tracks

There Will Be Blood (Original Soundtrack)

Phantom Thread (Original Soundtrack)

The Master (Original Soundtrack)

Radiohead - Kid A

About this page

Music like Jonny Greenwood — Jonny Greenwood is the lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist for Radiohead, whose innovative use of electronics, unconventional guitar techniques, and orchestral arrangements helped redefine alternative rock from the 1990s onward. Beyond Radiohead, he's become one of cinema's most celebrated composers, creating haunting scores for films like 'There Will Be Blood' and 'Phantom Thread' that blend classical orchestration with his signature experimental edge.

Artists like Jonny Greenwood today include Mica Levi, Ben Frost, Max Richter, Clint Mansell.