Blur is Back

The more the 90s seem like they’re over, the more a distinctive pop culture element from the decade comes back to re-reel you in. The latest example? The announcement of a new studio album from beloved Britpop spokesband, Blur. After reuniting briefly in 2009 for a series of concerts, including one at Hyde Park in London, it seemed the band knew better than to push their luck further by recording together again.

But apparently, resistance is futile, and we all know Alex James is pretty hard up for cash. Hence, their eighth studio album (to be released in late April), entitled The Magic Whip–possibly a reference to their slave-like pull toward being lifelong Blur members. In spite of vehement denials from both primary parties, Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon, regarding the recording of any new material, the quartet went into a studio in Hong Kong (presumably the inspiration behind the album cover) back in 2012 with William Orbit. Production was halted due to the usual creative differences.

Now, however, it appears as though the entire group agrees that turning its scrapped work into a viable album is of the essence. Will the twelve year buildup (Think Tank was the last record they released in 2003) to this moment be worth the wait–or as lackluster as Chinese Democracy? Time will tell, but, knowing Blur, it’s difficult to be disappointed.