Written by The concept album arrives on May 1 with a 24-page original comic book previewed in the “Golden Egg” video.
By Scott Bernstein Feb 25, 2026 • 7:21 am PST
Les Claypool and Sean Ono Lennon announced they will release their third The Claypool Lennon Delirium album, The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy, on May 1 via ATO Records. The Primus bassist and singer-songwriter also unveiled the title track from their first joint album in seven years, “The Golden Egg of Empathy (feat. WILLOW).”
The long-awaited follow-up to 2019’s South Of Reality is a 14-song concept album. Sessions for the LP took place at both Les Claypool’s Rancho Relaxo facility in Sonoma County and at Lennon’s The Farm studio in upstate New York.
The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy explores morality, mortality and the perils of A.I. within a narrative universe that serves as both a cautionary tale about sustainability and a reflection on the dangers of optimization without empathy.
“The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy is a cautionary tale of what could be in store for humanity if we continue to favor machines over men,” Lennon explained. “It is a tale of a technocracy eclipsed by paperclips; a young man destined to unravel the fabric of his father’s folly, and a sacred feathered Goddess (played by WILLOW), who holds the egg-shaped key to their future.”
“The Great Parrot Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy was over three years in the making and was the most labor intensive recording I have ever been involved in,” added Claypool. “The results are something Shiner and I are very proud of; a relevant concept piece accompanied by a colorful, phantasmic comic book.”
The Claypool Lennon Delirium tapped longtime collaborator Rich Ragsdale to create a 24-page comic book that will be paired with vinyl editions of the album. Lennon recalled the genesis of the graphic novel, stating:
“Rich Ragsdale is an old friend. He directed the ‘Animals’ video for The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, an animated video for Uni, and the ‘Blood and Rockets’ video for the Delirium.
“Initially Les and I were imagining a feature length animated film for Parrot-Ox, but we realized there wasn’t enough time to complete such an undertaking, so we asked Rich if he could distill the story into a comic book for us. He did an incredible job.”
“I think we all share a lot of taste and sensibility.”
“The process was really smooth for the most part. I think the Colonel said he’s never been so happy so quickly with that kind of thing. Les and I really belabored the story beforehand, but when it came time for Rich to flesh it out, things went very quickly. Now that the story exists in this comic book form it’s even easier to imagine it becoming a feature some day. And you never know!”
New single “The Golden Egg of Empathy (feat. WILLOW)” comes on the heels of “WAP (What A Predicament),” the first preview of the record. “Golden Egg” arrived with a video directed by Rich Ragsdale based on his comic. The Claypool Lennon Delirium recruited WILLOW to provide lead vocals for the track.
Watch The Claypool Lennon Delirium’s official music video for “The Golden Egg of Empathy (feat. WILLOW)” below:
The Claypool Lennon Delirium will return to the road for the first time in seven years this summer as part of the Claypool Gold Tour. Primus and Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade are also aboard for the collaborative jaunt.
The Great Parrot Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy Tracklist
- Pro-Log
- WAP (What a Predicament)
- The Wake Up Call
- Meat Machines
- Troll Bait
- Simplest of Deeds
- Heart of Chrome
- Through the Horizon
- Mantra of the Manatee
- The Golden Egg of Empathy feat. WILLOW
- Cliptopia
- Cliptron Scuttle
- Melody of Entropy
- It’s a Wrap
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