Blur has announced details of their surprise new album, The Ballad Of Darren, and shared their first single, “The Narcissist.” Check it out below.
The returning Britpop legends first announced their comeback in November with news of their massive Wembley Stadium show – before going on to reveal a second date at the venue ahead of a series of European festival shows and an intimate warm-up tour of the UK, which kicks off in their home town of Colchester tomorrow (Friday 19 May). .
Now, the band has revealed that the 10-track single, The Ballad Of Darren, will arrive on July 21 via Parlophone, and is available for pre-order. here. The band’s first album since 2015’s The Magic Whip comes with a preview of the single The Narcissist – a mid-tempo bittersweet track reminiscent of the alternative rock leanings of 2003’s “Think Tank”.
The band’s ninth studio album was produced by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Depeche Mode) and recorded at Studio 13 in London and Devon. Speaking of making the record, the band said it found them an assessment of their relationship.
Frontman Damon Albarn described “The Ballad Of Darren” as “an aftershock record” loaded with “reflection and commentary on where we find ourselves now”, while guitarist Graham Coxon said: “The older and cruder we get, the more necessary we are.” We play full of the right emotions and intent. Sometimes, just scum just doesn’t do the job.”
Meanwhile, bass player Alex James said that “for any long-term relationship to last in any sense, you have to be able to surprise each other in some way and in some way we keep doing that”, and drummer Dave Rowntree commented on how the band found that “it’s natural Always making music together.”
“With every recording we do, the process reveals something new and we develop as a band. We don’t take that for granted,” he added.
The album artwork features a photo of Gourock Lido in Renfrewshire by British photographer Martin Parr, with the story of the photo. Announced in Watchman in 2014.
The Ballad Of Darren song list is:
‘dancing song’
Saint Charles Square
barbaric
“Russian Chains”
“Everglades (Leonard)”
narcissist
Goodbye Albert
distant island
Avalon
“the heights”
The news of the band’s return came after Albarn had previously claimed it NME that the band were in talks and “had an idea” of how to come back, before Rowntree teased that a live activity would be on the cards if all the members were “up for it” and Cocoon appeared to play down the chances of a reunion.
Coxon, who recently released his autobiography Verse, chorus, beast!Also set to release debut album with THE WAEVE, his side project with former Pipettes member turned Mark Ronson collaborator and Rose singer-songwriter Elinor Dougall.
After releasing the popular solo album The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows in 2021, Albarn will release a new album, Cracker Island, with Gorillaz in February.
Meanwhile, Rowntree is preparing to release his debut solo album, “Radio Songs”.
Check out Blur’s upcoming tour dates below, and Visit here to get tickets And more information.
May 2023
Friday the 19th – Colchester, Arts Centre
Sunday 21st – Eastbourne, Winter Gardens
Friday 26th – Wolverhampton, The Civic is in the halls
Sunday 28th – Newcastle upon Tyne, O2 City Hall
June 2023
Thursday 1 – Primavera Sound, Barcelona
Thursday 8 – Primavera Sound, Madrid
Saturday 10 – Primavera Porto, Portugal
Saturday 24th – Malahide, Malahide Castle and Gardens
Friday the 30th – Roskilde, Denmark
July 2023
Thursday – BEAUREGARD, France
Saturday 8 – London, Wembley Stadium
Sunday 9 – London, Wembley Stadium
Friday the 14th – – Villez-Charoses, France
Saturday 22nd – Lucca, Lucca Summer Festival, Italy
Sunday 23 – Ville-Charose, France
August 2023
Tuesday 8 – OKERSE FESTEN, Belgium
Wed 9 2023 – ØYA Festival, Norway
Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 – WAY OUT WEST Festival, Sweden
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