Britpop titans Blur will launch The Ballad of Darren, their first album in eight years, on July 21.

The Damon Albarn-fronted quartet is previewing the brand new 10-track LP with the lead single “The Narcissist.” You’ll be able to take heed to the tune and see the total observe itemizing under.

The Ballad of Darren follows 2015’s The Magic Whip, which grew to become Blur’s sixth consecutive chart-topping album of their native United Kingdom. The group went on hiatus following the album’s supporting tour. They’re going to play a collection of reunion exhibits this summer season, starting on Friday with an intimate warm-up gig at England’s Colchester Arts Centre. Their itinerary additionally contains high-profile competition appearances and two back-to-back headlining gigs at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Describing their new album, Albarn stated in a press release, “That is an aftershock document, reflection and touch upon the place we discover ourselves now.” Guitarist Graham Coxon added, “The older and madder we get, it turns into extra important that what we play is loaded with the precise emotion and intention. Typically only a riff would not do the job.”

Time aside has not dulled the band members’ pleasure for collaboration. “For any long-term relationship to final with any which means, you may have to have the ability to shock one another someway, and someway all of us proceed to do this,” bassist Alex James stated. Drummer Dave Rowntree echoed this sentiment: “It at all times feels very pure to make music collectively. With each document we do, the method reveals one thing new and we develop as a band. We do not take that as a right.”

The Ballad of Darren is accessible to preorder on Blur’s web site now on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital. Sure deluxe editions function two bonus tracks.

Blur, ‘The Ballad of Darren’ Monitor Itemizing
1. “The Ballad”
2. “St Charles Sq.”
3. “Barbaric”
4. “Russian Strings”
5. “The Everglades (For Leonard)”
6. “The Narcissist”
7. “Goodbye Albert”
8. “Far Away Island”
9. “Avalon”
10. “The Heights”

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