Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Tracy Hyman discovers a haunting beautiful, melancholic and carefully crafted album
Parlophone
Released: 21.07.23
Hauntingly beautiful and melancholic at times, Blur’s new album is best consumed whole to fully enjoy its contemplative story of retrospection. A chartered history from the early days, the first track, The Ballad, lives up to its title with soaring strings and a heartfelt poignancy, before Coxon’s spiky discordant guitars punch forward in St. Charles Square, leaning towards the quirky punk-infused Blur of old.
The highlight, The Narcissist, is beautiful and uplifting, carefully crafted with messages of hope: “I won’t fall this time”. Strings and brass throughout highlight the slower tracks; Avalon has highlights of magic in the chorus, and the gentle waltz of Far Away Island is moving and wistful before The Heights brings the album to a gentle close.
