Blur's 'The Ballad of Darren' a Brilliant Return

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Before I began writing for Desert Local News, I was a long-time contributing music writer for The Orange County Register in Orange County, Calif.

Robert Kinsler - July 24, 2023 - Entertainment new music Damon Albarn album review Graham Coxon Blur britpop global livestream - 3.6K views - 0 Comments - 0 Likes - 0 Reviews

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Artist: Blur

Title: The Ballad of Darren (Warner Records/Parlophone)

You might like if you enjoy: Blur, Beck, David Bowie

Tell me more: The Ballad of Darren is the ninth studio album from Blur, and marks the Britpop favorite's first new studio album since 2015's The Magic Whip. The new album finds the English outfit (singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree) using stellar songcraft as they explore midlife with incredible depth and confessional candor.

The diverse track listing is filled with originals that entice with a single listen; the inclusion of experimental touches layered atop melodic rock works its wonders magically on the disc. The reflective opener "The Ballad," infectious "The Narcissist" with its explosive finale, edgy "St. Charles Square," wistful "Russian Strings," Baroque pop sortie "The Everglades (For Leonard)" and melancholy-draped "The Heights" are among the amazing songs on this eagerly-awaited return. The Ballad of Darren is available on streaming services, as well as via audio CD and vinyl. Blur is also performing a special one-time exclusive global livestream on Tuesday, July 25 where the band will perform The Ballad of Darren in its entirety; tickets to that special performance are $17.

Information: blur.co.uk.

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