Blur have introduced a shock new studio album, The Ballad Of Darren, set for launch on 21 July.

Showing on Steve Lamacq’s 6Music present, the band previewed the brand new album by enjoying lead single The Narcissist.

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 for the reason that chart-topping The Magic Whip in 2015, with art work that includes a picture by British photographer Martin Parr.

In a press assertion, frontman Damon Albarn mentioned: “That is an aftershock report, reflection and touch upon the place we discover ourselves now.” Guitarist Graham Coxon provides: “The older and madder we get, it turns into extra important that what we play is loaded with the suitable emotion and intention. Generally only a riff doesn’t do the job.”

Bassist Alex James additionally mirrored on the band’s newest reunion: “For any long run relationship to final with any that means you have got to have the ability to shock one another one way or the other and one way or the other all of us proceed to try this.”

Dave Rowntree added: “It at all times feels very pure to make music collectively. With each report we do, the method reveals one thing new and we develop as a band. We don’t take that without any consideration.”

At present’s shock announcement comes forward of the band’s return to the place the place all of it started – Colchester in Essex – for his or her first ever efficiency at native landmark Colchester Arts Centre tomorrow (19 Might). It marks the beginning of a brief run of warm-up performances that can see Blur go to Eastbourne Winter Gardens on 21 Might, The Halls in Wolverhampton on 26 Might and O2 Metropolis Corridor Newcastle on 28 Might.

The nice and cozy-up dates kick off a summer season of highly-anticipated stay reveals. The band’s first ever present at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 July bought out in minutes – with a second Wembley Stadium present added for Sunday 9 July.

The whole tracklisting for The Ballad of Darren is:

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

The Ballad of Darren might be out there as a digital obtain and stream (10 tracks as above); Normal CD (10 tracks) and Deluxe CD (12 tracks, with expanded packaging), Normal Vinyl LP – 12” heavyweight black vinyl; and unique to blur.co.uk – a deluxe vinyl pressed on 12″ clear vinyl with black swirls, in a gatefold sleeve, with poster, bonus 7” vinyl, album CD (12 tracks) and built-in booklet, together with unique handwritten notes, sketches and lyrics; and Cassette (10 tracks).