Blur – The Ballad Of Darren

Format: Vinyl

The ninth studio album from Blur represents a poignant and unexpectedly soulful return for the definitive Britpop quartet. Released in 2023, the record marks their first new material in eight years and finds the band—Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree—exploring themes of reflection, middle age, and enduring friendship. Produced by James Ford, the album features the acclaimed singles The Narcissist and St. Charles Square, blending their signature art-rock sensibilities with orchestral arrangements and Albarn’s most vulnerable vocal performances to date. Blur have established a historic legacy in British music, securing five Brit Awards and numerous number-one albums since their formation in Colchester. Their career is defined by a consistent ability to evolve from the high-energy pop of the nineties into a sophisticated and experimental force. This vinyl edition documents a major late-career milestone for a group widely regarded as one of the most culturally significant bands in the UK.

1 The Ballad

2 St. Charles Square

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