Blur are formally again with The Ballad of Darren, their first album in eight years. Take heed to the entire undertaking beneath by way of Apple Music and Spotify.

That includes singles “St. Charles Sq.” and “The Narcissist” — the latter of which we named Tune of the Week — The Ballad of Darren was produced by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, HAIM, Florence + the Machine). In an announcement, Damon Albarn described it as “an aftershock document, reflection and touch upon the place we discover ourselves now.”

Albarn spoke extra extensively in regards to the undertaking in our current cowl story on Blur. The LP marked the band’s most collaborative undertaking in years, with bassist Alex James and guitarist Graham Coxon insisting on understanding its 10 songs with Albarn. Because of this, the singer referred to as The Ballad of Darren “the primary legit [Blur] album since [1999’s] 13.”

In his evaluation of the album for Consequence, Affiliate Editor Paolo Ragusa referred to as The Ballad of Darren an “pleasurable, heartfelt, and contemplative document.”

Along with a brand new album, Blur are within the midst of their first tour since 2015 (seize tickets right here). Among the many upcoming dates is a July twenty fifth live performance at London’s Eventim Apollo, throughout which they’ll carry out The Ballad of Darren in full.

In the meantime, Albarn, who seemingly can not cease working, can also be writing one other opera. Earlier this yr, his different band, Gorillaz, put out their eighth studio album, Cracker Island, which options collaborations with Stevie Nicks, Unhealthy Bunny, Thundercat, Beck, and extra.

The Ballad of Darren Paintings:

The Ballad of Darren Tracklist:
01. The Ballad
02. St Charles Sq.
03. Barbaric
04. Russian Strings
05. The Everglades (For Leonard)
06. The Narcissist
07. Goodbye Albert
08. Far Away Island
09. Avalon
10. The Heights