Blur Release First Music In Eight Years 'The Narcissist' - Noise11.com
Blur at Rod Laver Arena photo by Ros O'Gorman. music news, noise11.com

Blur at Rod Laver Arena photo by Ros O'Gorman

Blur Release First Music In Eight Years ‘The Narcissist’

by Music-News.com on May 19, 2023

in News

Blur will release their first album in 8 years, titled The Ballad of Darren and comprising 10 new tracks, on 21st July on Parlophone. First track ‘The Narcissist’ is out now.

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.

The Ballad of Darren track listing is: The Ballad, St Charles Square, Barbaric, Russian Strings, The Everglades (For Leonard), The Narcissist, Goodbye Albert, Far Away Island, Avalon and The Heights

Damon Albarn said – “This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.”

Graham Coxon said – “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.”

Alex James said – “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.”

Dave Rowntree said – “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.”

Today’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 tomorrow, 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.

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 Julysold out in minutes – with a second Wembley Stadium show added for Sunday 9th July

The complete tracklisting for The Ballad of Darren is:

The Ballad
St Charles Square
Barbaric
Russian Strings
The Everglades (For Leonard)
The Narcissist
Goodbye Albert
Far Away Island
Avalon
The Heights

music-news.com

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Lamb of God (supplied)
Lamb of God Release Surprise Black Sabbath Cover After Back To The Beginning Concert

GRAMMY-nominated metal titans Lamb of God have delivered a surprise to fans today with the unannounced release of their studio cover of Black Sabbath's iconic "Children of the Grave." The track is now available across all digital platforms via Epic Records.

4 days ago
Liam and Noel Gallagher reform Oasis for 2025 dates
Noel Gallagher Credits Bones For Getting Oasis Back Together

Noel Gallagher has revealed that Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs is the one responsible for the current Oasis reunion tour.

4 days ago
Oasis photo by Simon Emmett
Oasis Kick Off First Show Since 2009 in Wales #SETLIST

Oasis have performed the first show on the Oasis Live 25 world tour in Cardiff, Wales.

6 days ago
Usher Cancels All 12 Australian Tour Dates

Usher has cancelled his 12 Australian concerts in November and December.

7 days ago
Dave Grohl Foo Fighters at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 30 January 2018. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Dave Grohl Honors Taylor Hawkins on 30th Anniversary of Foo Fighters Album

Dave Grohl has paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins while marking the 30th anniversary of the Foo Fighters' self-titled debut album.

July 4, 2025
Russell Hitchcock Take Time
Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply Solo Album ‘Take Time’ To Be Reissued

Russell Hitchcock’s second solo album ‘Take Time’ will have a limited reissue through MelodicRock Classics.

July 3, 2025
Diddy Facebook photo
Sean Combs Charged With Prostitution But Escapes Racketeering

Rapper, entrepreneur Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been found guilty on charges of Prostitution but has avoid the more serious charges of Racketeering and Sex Trafficking.

July 3, 2025