But then Ivins was never really formally announced either, Wayne just casually mentioned he was gone when someone asked about it on Instagram or something.

I don’t think Ivins has ever come out any said anything about it either. But their subreddit has some people who seemingly have some connection to the band members, and one of them alluded to him being blindsided by being dropped from the band.

As for Drozd, he got kicked from the live band about a year ago, apparently because he had a drug/alcohol relapse and was struggling to play properly. There’s an interview with Wayne floating around (translated from Japanese) where he talks about it and how he hadn’t made a decision on what to do long term about it.

He’s not officially out of the band, but again via the subreddit there’s rumours they’ve been in the studio recording, with no Drozd.

As you say, Drozd wrote most of the actual music for the last 30 years or so, so I’ve no idea what that would sound like. Unless they’re just recording his tunes without him.

I did read somewhere that it was Stephen rather than Wayne who was behind them not recording new material, so maybe Wayne feels emboldened without him…

As fir Radiohead, there was a Telegraph interview last week that’s worth a read to get a sense of the state of the band. Bad vibes!! Ed comes across as disinterested and like he doesn’t really care or talk to the other members anymore, everyone else stressing about Jonny’s Israel connections, no one talking about ever recording new material…

They’re in their ‘legacy touring act’ era I fear.