The Ballad of Darren

by Blur

The Ballad of Darren cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 21 July 2023
  • Label: Parlophone
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 36:03
  • Community rating: 3.5/5 from 16 ratings

Artists on this release: James Ford, Nicholas Thompson, Luke Pickering, Damon Albarn, Danny Marsden, Alistair White, Dave Rowntree, Graham Coxon, Alex James, Chris Storr, The Demon Strings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Reassembling after an eight-year hiatus, the Britpop pioneers deliver a surprisingly tender and world-weary reflection on aging and lost relationships. The album tones down their earlier frantic energy, favoring melancholic, string-drenched ballads and mid-tempo rockers that highlight Damon Albarn's increasingly introspective songwriting.

Genres

Descriptors: british, mature, reflective, subtle, sophisticated

Tracklist

  1. The Ballad (3:36)
  2. St. Charles Square (3:55)
  3. Barbaric (4:08)
  4. Russian Strings (3:37)
  5. The Everglades (For Leonard) (2:56)
  6. The Narcissist (4:05)
  7. Goodbye Albert (4:16)
  8. Far Away Island (2:57)
  9. Avalon (3:05)
  10. The Heights (3:23)

Credits

  • Blur - primary artist, band
  • Fons Schiedon - illustration
  • Damon Albarn - lyrics by, music by, musician [blur], vocals, backing vocals, piano, keyboards
  • Alex James - music by, musician [blur], bass guitar
  • Dave Rowntree - music by, musician [blur], drums
  • Graham Coxon - music by, musician [blur], guitar, backing vocals
  • Izzi Dunn - musician [the demon strings], cello
  • Ciara Ismail - musician [the demon strings], viola

More from Blur: full discography