Blur will release new album ‘The Ballad of Darren’, their first in 8 years, on 21st July 2023 via Parlophone.
The album announcement comes with first track ‘The Narcissist’, which you can listen to below. The song is one of 10 new tracks featured on the record.
Produced byĀ James FordĀ and recorded atĀ Studio 13,Ā London and Devon,Ā ‘The Ballad of Darren’Ā is the bandās ninth studio album, their first since the chart-toppingĀ ‘The Magic Whip’Ā in 2015, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr.Ā Ā
Damon AlbarnĀ said,Ā āThis is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.ā
Graham CoxonĀ said,Ā āThe 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 doesnāt do the job.ā
Alex JamesĀ said,Ā āFor 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.ā
Dave RowntreeĀ said,Ā āIt 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 donāt take that for granted.ā
The surprise announcement comes ahead of the bandās return to the place where it all began ā Colchester, Essex*ā forĀ their first ever performance atĀ local landmarkĀ Colchester Arts Centre tomorrow, marking the start of a short run of warm-up performances which will see theĀ blurĀ visitĀ Eastbourne Winter GardensĀ on 21stĀ May,Ā The HallsĀ WolverhamptonĀ on 26thĀ May andĀ O2 City HallĀ NewcastleĀ on 28thĀ May.Ā
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 bandāsĀ first ever show at Londonās Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8thĀ July sold out in minutes ā with a second Wembley Stadium show added forĀ Sunday 9thĀ July.
The complete tracklisting forĀ ‘The Ballad of Darren’Ā is:
- The Ballad
- St Charles Square
- Barbaric
- Russian Strings
- The Everglades (For Leonard)
- The Narcissist
- Goodbye Albert
- Far Away Island
- Avalon
- The Heights
‘The Ballad of Darren’Ā will be available as aĀ Digital Download & StreamĀ (10 tracks as above);Ā Standard CDĀ (10 tracks) andĀ Deluxe CDĀ (12 tracks, w. expanded packaging),Ā Standard Vinyl LPĀ – 12ā heavyweight black vinyl; and –Ā exclusiveĀ toĀ blur.co.ukĀ –Ā Deluxe VinylĀ pressed on 12″Ā clear vinyl with black swirls, in a gatefold sleeve, with poster, bonusĀ 7ā vinyl, albumĀ CDĀ (12 tracks) andĀ integrated booklet, including exclusive handwritten notes, sketches and lyrics; andĀ CassetteĀ (10 tracks).