Blur Announce Surprise New Album Ahead Of Live Dates

by | May 19, 2023

The Damon Albarn-fronted Britpop innovators Blur will release their first album in 8 years, titled The Ballad of Darren and comprising 10 new tracks, on 21st July on Parlophone.

Blur (Reuben Bastienne-Lewis)

Blur (Reuben Bastienne-Lewis)

Produced by James Ford and recorded at Studio 13, London and Devon, The Ballad of Darren is the band’s ninth studio album, their first since the chart-topping The Magic Whip in 2015, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr.

Blur (Kevin Westenberg)

Blur (Kevin Westenberg)
Blur (Kevin Westenberg)

Of the new L.P. Albarn says: “This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.” Guitarist and vocalist Graham Coxon adds “The older and madder we get, it becomes more essential that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention. Sometimes just a riff doesn’t do the job.”

Check out new tune The Narcissist below:

Bass man Alex James says: “For any long term relationship to last with any meaning you have to be able to surprise each other somehow and somehow we all continue to do that.” while sticksman Dave Rowntree added “It always feels very natural to make music together. With every record we do, the process reveals something new and we develop as a band. We don’t take that for granted.”

This week’s surprise announcement comes ahead of the band’s return to the place where it all began – Colchester, Essex – for their first ever performance at local landmark Colchester Arts Centre tonight, marking the start of a short run of warm-up performances which will see the blur visit Eastbourne Winter Gardens on 21st May, The Halls Wolverhampton on 26th May and O2 City Hall Newcastle on 28th May.

Blur (Kevin Westenberg)

Blur (Kevin Westenberg)
Blur (Kevin Westenberg)

These warm-up dates are kicking off a summer of highly-anticipated live shows which will bring Alex James, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree together again to perform their iconic and much-loved songs across Europe over the coming months. The band’s first ever show at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8th July sold out in minutes – with a second Wembley Stadium show added for Sunday 9th July.

UK LIVE DATES

MAY
19th – Arts Centre, Colchester
21st – Winter Gardens, Eastbourne
26th – The Halls, Wolverhampton
28th – O2 City Hall, Newcastle

JULY
8th – Wembley Stadium
9th – Wembley Stadium

Duran Duran Bring Hits And Deep Cuts To The O2

The K's (Press)

The K’s – ‘Our Sights Are Set At The Top. We’re Definitely Aiming For The Big Boy Leagues.’

The K’s are one of the most exciting breakout British bands of 2024. Hailing from a small working class town between...
Lorde (Talia Chetrit)

Lorde Announces 2025 ‘Ultrasound’ World Tour Dates Including Stop At London’s O2 Arena

Alt-pop icon Lorde has officially announced her long-awaited return to the global stage with the Ultrasound 2025 headline tour, marking her biggest and most ambitious live run yet. The announcement comes hot on the heels of the reveal of her upcoming fourth studio album, Virgin, due out on 27th June.

Henge performing at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea

Henge Bring Psychedelic Rock From Parts Unknown To Portsmouth’s Wedgewood Rooms

Recently, the dirty deeds of squillionaires running their private space tourism businesses, and the world laughing at...
Yungblud (Tom Pallant)

YUNGBLUD Announces Bold Fourth Studio Album ‘Idols’

British rock trailblazer Dominic Harrison – AKA YUNGBLUD – has officially announced his highly anticipated fourth...
REEF (Press)

REEF Celebrate 30 Years Of ‘Replenish’ With UK Anniversary Tour

In a year packed with big anniversaries and nostalgic reunions, one of Britain’s most beloved rock acts is marking a...
Wolf Alice (Press)

Wolf Alice Return With Euphoric New Single ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’

London’s genre-defying quartet Wolf Alice have returned in full bloom with their new single, Bloom Baby Bloom—a vibrant, effervescent track that signals a fresh chapter for one of Britain’s most dynamic modern rock bands. Released after a period of relative silence since their Mercury Prize-winning 2021 album Blue Weekend, the single has sent ripples through the alternative scene, sparking excitement about what might be next for the group.

Pet Needs (Vanessa Söllner)

Pet Needs Are Primetime Entertainment At The Old Church

It’s lunchtime in sunny Stoke Newington, the part of London that really feels like a village. Most of the crowd lined up outside the historic Old Church are making this the first stop on their weekend, and as they mingle among the old tombstones with beers in hand, the anticipation is fizzing in the air. For the fourth year in a row, Pet Needs are about to kick off their Fractured Party weekender, and we’ve so far beyond ready for it.

Alice Phoebe Lou @ Roundhouse (Sam Eve)

Alice Phoebe Lou Enchants London At The Roundhouse

On Friday, 2nd May, 2025, the Roundhouse in London played host to a spellbinding performance by South African-born...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing