7/10

If there were any band that symbolised the nihilistic hedonism of the 90s Britpop era, it was Blur. While Oasis probably left a bigger mark in terms of commercial appeal, Blur were this ever-evolving and shifting entity that was always searching to find new and interesting ideas in which to pursue. And while they made a small comeback in 2015 with 'The Magic Whip', which was then their first full-length release in twelve years, they are not quite done yet as they return with their ninth studio album 'The Ballad Of Darren, a record that sees them confront their heritage and their place in the scene today.

With all the original members back together and now in their 50s, 'The Ballad Of Darren' feels like a group of friends rekindling their youth while almost simultaneously reflecting on their now aged presence. While each of the members have still been wildly creative in the last few years, especially with Damon Albarn's Gorillaz project still firing on all cylinders and drummer Dave Rowntree's recent solo material, their newest offerings still have this distinctive Blur feel to it. Honing some wonderfully bright and enjoyable aesthetics throughout, they seem to have picked up almost exactly where they left off at the start of the early 00s.

While their last LP 'The Magic Whip' was a welcome return from them, 'The Balls Of Darren' feels like the beginning of something new entirely. Capturing a rich and progressive ideal that suits their older selves to a tee, it almost feels like this is the start of the next phase in their career.