The Ballad of Darren
| The Ballad of Darren | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 21 July 2023 | |||
| Recorded | January – May 2023 | |||
| Studio | Studio 13, London & Devon | |||
| Length | 42:30 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | James Ford | |||
| Blur chronology | ||||
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| Damon Albarn chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Ballad of Darren | ||||
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The Ballad of Darren is the upcoming ninth studio album by English rock band Blur. It is scheduled to be released on 21 July 2023. It will be their first studio album in over eight years since The Magic Whip (2015).
Background
In June 2021, frontman Damon Albarn first hinted at new music from Blur and Gorillaz, ahead of his second solo studio release The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows. At the time, he was in talks with drummer Dave Rowntree but plans had not come to fruition yet.[1] On 14 November 2022, bassist Alex James spoke on the possibility of new music from the band in nearly eight years. He stated that, when together, the band never knows what is "going to happen next with Damon". This very uncertainty is "part of the terror of being in Blur", according to Rowntree.[2] The band also announced a London reunion show at Wembley Stadium in summer 2023.[3]
On 27 April 2023, Blur announced tour dates in the UK, Europe, Japan and South America. Starting on 19 May, the shows mark the first time the band has toured since 2015 and their first live appearance in four years.[4] The album was announced on 18 May 2023.[5] Each member of the band shared a brief commentary on the record.[6] To Albarn, the record signifies "an aftershock, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now". Guitarist Graham Coxon added that, with age, it becomes more important "that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention".[7]
The band released the lead single "The Narcissist" the same day. The song, described as a "chugging along on a two-chord Coxon riff and a metronomic, vaguely motorik rhythm track", was awarded four out of five stars by The Guardian's Alexis Petridis.[8]
The album's cover is a 2004 photograph of Gourock Outdoor Pool in Gourock, Scotland taken by photographer Martin Parr.[5]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Ballad" | 3:37 |
| 2. | "St Charles Square" | 3:55 |
| 3. | "Barbaric" | 4:09 |
| 4. | "Russian Strings" | 3:38 |
| 5. | "The Everglades (For Leonard)" | 2:56 |
| 6. | "The Narcissist" | 4:05 |
| 7. | "Goodbye Albert" | 4:17 |
| 8. | "Far Away Island" | 2:58 |
| 9. | "Avalon" | 3:05 |
| 10. | "The Heights" | 3:24 |
| 11. | "The Rabbi" | 2:44 |
| 12. | "The Swan" | 3:42 |
| Total length: | 42:30 | |
References
- ^ Blake, Logan (29 June 2021). "Damon Albarn Hints At New Music From Both Blur And Gorillaz". Spin. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ Wilkes, Emma (14 November 2022). "Blur's Alex James on possibility of new music: "I never know what's going to happen"". NME. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ Renshaw, David (14 November 2022). "Blur announce 2023 London reunion show". The Fader. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ Young, Alex (27 April 2023). "Blur Confirm First Tour in Eight Years". Consequence. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ a b Trendell, Andrew (18 May 2023). "Blur announce new album 'The Ballad Of Darren' with single 'The Narcissist'". NME. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (18 May 2023). "Blur Announce New Album The Ballad of Darren, Share New Song "The Narcissist": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (18 May 2023). "Blur Announces Surprise New Album Led By Single 'The Narcissist'". Spin. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (18 May 2023). "Blur: The Narcissist review – a band finally at ease with themselves". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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