First New Album in Eight Years Finds Britpop Legends Working with Former Gorillaz Collaborator James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Depeche Mode)

Britpop legends Blur are back with their first new album in over eight years entitled The Ballad of Darren! Produced by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Depeche Mode) and recorded at Studio 13, London and Devon, The Ballad of Darren is the band's ninth studio album overall, their first since the chart-topping The Magic Whip in 2015, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr. Damon Albarn said, "This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now." 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." Alex James shares, "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 closes, "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." The highly anticipated 10-track collection is introduced by lead track "The Narcissist" which The Guardian says, "chugs along to a motorik beat, rising to an anthemic chorus that seems to be reflecting on the band's career path."