November 14, 2016

Top 10 Blur Songs of 2016

Since 2016 is nearly coming to an end, here's our wrap up of the top 10 Blur songs of all time. We've included the most recent Blur tracks in our compilation, to reflect on the growth and development of the band. Here's the list of Blur classics that you're all going to love.

10. Young and Lovely - the joys of Blur is that they have the best B-sides any band could ever have. This song hits the spot at all the right places. It's lovely, it's young and it's simply soothing.



9. Ong Ong - it's our favourite pick from Blur's latest offering from their album The Magic Whip. Born and bred in Hong Kong, this song is wacky, fun and cheerful- the perfect combination.


8. Tender- the Blur classic that even your grandparents would have heard of (even if they're not from the 90s). This classic is definitely on the list of the best Blur songs out there. Damon Albarn's heartache is really felt in his lyrics and gentle crooning.

7. The Universal - we chose this partly because of the music video. Admit it, this song's great, but the music video is the icing on the cake.

6. Country Sad Ballad Man - an unusual choice that not many people would think of as a classic Blur hit. But we beg to differ, since this track is definitely deserving of a mention. The song is melodic, slightly psychedelic and very Blur-like. It grows on you!


5. Eine Kleine Lift Musik- an unusual track and again one that is often unheard of. But give it a listen and then tell us whether we're right. This song's a lesser known track that the band recorded as part of a charity album in their early days.


4. London Loves - we're loving the London vibes in this song. If you've ever been to London and visited the sites, you'll know that Blur captures the dusty, restless London vibe perfectly in this classic hit.


3. Beetlebum - written when Blur was high (in the literal sense), this song's the perfect epitome of the 90s. It's cool, it's sleepy and it's very, very good. It's also the UK number 1 of that time.

2. Chemical World - this song ranks as number two on the list because of it's cheerful and underrated vibe. It's a brilliant song, and the music video makes it extra special. Again, not a popular choice but we beg to differ.


1. Coffee and TV - our top pick of this year, and the song that everyone should be playing when they're alone on the subway, on the bus or just feeling low, is Graham Coxon's Coffee and TV. One of Blur's biggest and greatest hits, this song is sure to make you feel better after a long day.


We are going to make more playlists and compilations for all you Blur fans out there in the coming months. Stay tuned and do share!


November 13, 2016

Gorillaz and Klaxons are working on New Music - 2016

Gorillaz and the English band Klaxons are working together on a new collaboration to release new music before the end of next year.

Gorillaz guitarist Jeff Wootton revealed the news to NME at an event at Abbey Road Studios on November 10th 2016, held to launch Stella McCartney’s first menswear collection.

Speaking before the show, Reynolds said the guests were: “A stellar line-up of teenage heroes.” He added that DMC had told the band it was the first time he had ever performed Run DMC classic ‘It’s Like That’ live. “He said he’d never played it live… did he not realise it was a mega smash hit?” said Reynolds. “He was going: ‘This sounds amazing live!’ He was so excited that we were playing that song.”

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Wootton and Reynolds revealed that they’ve been working on a collaborative project since August, with a plan to release new music next year.

“We’re taking different backgrounds and cultures and trying to push music forward,” said Wootton. “It’s a perfect time now with what’s going on in the world and everything else. Me and Jamie have great chemistry together and it’s really magical. It’s very fast. You think of great bands like The Smiths and it’s always fast. This has certainly been like that. Even being asked to play tonight, it feels like something’s bubbling” he said.

As well as playing guitar with Gorillaz, Wootton has also played live with The Last Shadow Puppets, Beady Eye and Damon Albarn.


November 9, 2016

Damon Albarn on President Trump- "Don’t fall for Donald Trump because he’s a chump.”

With the results of the US Presidential election confirmed, we can now say with no doubt that President Trump has come into power. Akin to an "American Brexit", this situation has been criticised by many in the international stage. Brexit has serious implications for the EU and UK, as does the new presidency which in no doubt throws much of politics into question.

However, what does Damon Albarn, Blur's renowned frontman got to do with President Trump?

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In November 2015, Damon Albarn was interviewed about President Donald Trump. What has he got to say? Here's what:

What about American politics? Any thoughts on Donald Trump? 
Hmm. Maybe we could get him to do "Parklife" with us!

Earlier last year, Damon Albarn also branded Donald Trump ‘a chump’ during New York show. In a show promoting The Magic Whip, Blur played a rousing version of ’13’ opener ‘Tender’, with Albarn taking a shot at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during the song’s outro, singing “Don’t fall for Donald Trump/because he’s a chump.”

As the lights switched on at the end of the song, the frontman sarcastically commented “democracy, right?”

We guess America really did 'fall' for Trump- we should have listened to Damon Albarn's wise words!



November 5, 2016

New Interview by 2D from Gorillaz Hints at New Album Direction - 2016

If you think Gorillaz aren't up to something- think again. The band has been making headlines all around the internet lately. Now their latest antic is to dish more excitement to fans out there in anticipation of their new album to be released in 2016 or 2017.

In an exclusive interview on High Snobiety, the lead singer of Gorillaz 2D gave an interview talking about his gap year, his journeys and bizarre adventures, ahead of their new album which has led fans speculating non-stop these few weeks. 2D even made a playlist for the interview.

Some excerpts from the interview can be read below.

What do you think is the most important thing you learned on your gap year? 

Being stranded on a tropical island taught me lots of survival skills. Like how to run away from crabs (sideways), and how to stay alive by eating your own clothes. Actually, when I was down to just my underpants, I learned my most important lesson – we don’t need all the things we think we do, like massage chairs, Capri Sun and 2 Broke Girls. We just need fresh air, sunshine and 2 Broke Girls. (I really love that show.)

Should everyone be required to take a gap year before university?

I don’t think people should be forced to do anything. Murdoc used to force me to dress up as a fox and run around the woods while he hunted me with his crossbow, which was really scary. Then again, he only did it because he’s an animal lover and would never hurt a real fox. That’s one of the things I admire about Murdoc.

After your extensive experience in eating whale meat, what is the best way one should prepare and eat it? 

I wouldn’t normally eat whale because I understand their plight – I’ve seen Free Willy. But when I’d eaten my last sock, it was do or die. I didn’t have a microwave so I developed a pioneering new slow-cooking method: put a big piece of whale blubber in tropical sunlight and wait for it to turn green. Normally takes about three weeks. Finally, season with a sprinkling of coarse yellow sand.

What’s one of the strangest things to ever happen to you while on tour? 

One time after a show Murdoc got very drunk. He pointed at me then one of the security guards escorted me to his trailer. When I got inside, Murdoc gave me strawberries and told me about all the tragedies in his life, stopping only to cry or smoke a joint. Afterwards he said I was a good listener, and not like all the other girls. We hugged, exchanged numbers, and I left. He never called.

If Gorillaz could score any film of their choice, what would it be and why? 

Gorillaz music often sounds happy, but it is actually quite dark and speaks about our greatest fears. So I would have to say Sharknado 4. There are lots of things to worry about in the world, but a sharknado has to be in my top three (behind global warming and Gok Wan). If you don’t know, a sharknado is a phenomenon where a tornado sucks up a shoal of killer sharks, then spins across the land eating and destroying everything in its path. Luckily, they’re quite rare.

What’s something in the world that you’d like to see fixed and why? 

There is a lot of pain in the world. I think part of the problem is that there are too many hard, sharp edges. If the world was softer, like if everything was covered in foam, there would be fewer accidents because when people fell over or walked into things they would bounce. I did have a slot on Dragons’ Den to present my idea, but on the way there my foam suit caught fire on a cigarette butt and I suffered quite severe burns. Which was a shame – I really wanted to meet Deborah Meaden and cheer her up. She always looks so sad.

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Apart from the interview, 2D also made a new playlist for the site. At the bottom of the article, the site said: "Stay tuned for release information on the new Gorillaz album." This implies that a new Gorillaz album is definitely coming onto the scene at any moment now.

The playlist 2D made sounds very catchy and upbeat. It also strikingly contains "Leisure- All Over You" - which is the song of Blur's first ever album and also it's title track. We can be sure that this playlist is what Damon Albarn has been listening to in the past few weeks- maybe it alludes to the style of the new Gorillaz album.

Listening to the playlist will give us hints of the sound of a new Gorillaz album. If that's the case, then everyone should get excited about the new song- because it sounds more energetic and spunky than ever.

Read the full interview HERE.

Stay tuned for the latest Gorillaz news on the internet!


November 4, 2016

Noodle Instagram Post has Fans Guessing What is Coming Soon

Noodle from Gorillaz recently posted a mysterious message on her Instagram profile, alluding to a new Gorillaz track to be released soon.

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The Japanese caption, “近日公開,” translates as “Coming soon" in English. This has left fans speculating about what exactly is coming soon. Is it a new Gorillaz song? Or an entirely new iPad album like the previous The Fall?

In June 2016, Damon Albarn announced that a new Gorillaz album was coming "fairly soon". Now that it is already November, it is about right that something should be released soon. The band has been posting a lot of cryptic messages on its Twitter and Instagram feeds lately. This is not surprising, given that Gorillaz is a virtual band marketed solely online.

We would expect that the band's suspense-creating tactic will continue throughout this month, increasing in frequency as more things become unveiled.

Follow Noodle HERE


New Gorillaz Track to be Released in November 12th 2016

Breaking news for all Gorillaz fan: a new Gorillaz song may be released on November 12th 2016 or December 11th 2016. We put two dates here because we still don't know when there will be a track - if any - that will be released.

The band has been keeping this mysterious with their new Book of Murdoc and strange Instagram posts. For example, creator Jamie Hewlett has been posting clues of a new Gorillaz album in his feed but has been keeping quiet about whether there is a new release soon.

Another development is that Noodle, the guitarist for the virtual band led by Damon Albarn and drawn by Jamie Hewlett, recently ventured out into the world of online dating by setting up a profile on OKCupid. Her profile (https://www.okcupid.com/profile/watashiwanoodle/) has since been deleted, but according to sources, Noodle’s bio reportedly read “Ready? 12:11 xxDA.”

What does that mean? DA is assumed to be the initials of Damon Albarn, the Blur frontman who founded Gorillaz with cult comic legend Jamie Hewlett, but what the numbers may mean is still unknown and has fans speculating non-stop.

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Many have eagerly assumed that 12:11 must be when we can expect a new Gorillaz single or an announcement about the album. But just when we can expect that is anyone’s guess. November 12th? December 11th? At 12:11 at night or in the afternoon?

Meanwhile, Noodle also posted some selfies on her Instagram account and wrote some Japanese writing that also has fans getting exciting. “近日公開,” was the caption, which translates as “Coming soon.”

What is coming soon? A new song? Or another comic book? We do not know, and there is numerous speculation about the possibilities.  Stay tuned to find out.

Check out Noodle's Instagram account here. 

Stay tuned for more news on this site, and don't forget to subscribe.


November 2, 2016

The Book of Murdoc- Exerpts

The following are some clips from Gorillaz's Twitter moment featuring the Book of Murdoc, in anticipation of the new Gorillaz album that is soon to be out. Check it out below!



Murdoc talks Brexit- Gorillaz News

Noisey has shared a new interview with Murdoc, the animated bassist and bandleader behind Gorillaz.
In it, Murdoc (full name Murdoc Niccals) said he "stage-dived into existence" outside a pub in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, where he also performed for the first time. "My old man made me sing in the monthly talent contest to win him beer money. First gig, I was 6 years old. Smashed out 'The Wheels on the Bus.' One of the most seminal gigs in pop history." His first kiss was a "bare-knuckle boxing champion" named Kelly O'Driscoll.


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While Murdoc refused to give any new information about the impending fifth album from Gorillaz, he did discuss his opinions on music and modern politics. His favorite living musician — other than himself — is Ringo Starr. "While everyone else was coked out of their minds in the '80s, he did his career's finest work on Thomas the Tank Engine." Murdoc also chooses Oasis as the better band over Blur, the band fronted by Gorillaz co-creator Damon Albarn.
And, of course, Brexit came up. Brexit, the topic which makes short-term lets in London housing prices plummet.  Murdoc spoke regretfully of Britain voting to leave the European Union, citing Lithuania's fast internet speeds as a benefit of staying. As for who should play James Bond in the next film, Murdoc vouches for Noodle, Gorillaz's bassist, because he's "a feminist now."

Read the entire interview here and check out Murdoc's multimedia story The Book of Murdoc in their Twitter feed. 


October 25, 2016

New Gorillaz Album Could Be Out in 2 weeks

Apologies for the hiatus, but Gorillaz’s newest single could be out by next Saturday night. In Damon Albarn's last interview, he had said the band’s new album could be finished in two weeks. It's almost two weeks later, and that may be the case as the band’s fictional guitarist Noodle has teased new music may be out soon.


As NME points out, the character shared an image on Instagram of the eye insignia for Beats 1 show Soulection, which airs Saturday nights, and tagged regular host Gilles Peterson.

The band also shared a new origin story for band member Murdoch. As with The Book Of Noodle and The Book Of Russel, this one follows the story of the band’s bassist from a rusty submarine to a new apartment in West London.

In their typical creative and mysterious humor, the legendary group has used this storyline to prepare fans for a new album, which is expected to drop sometime in 2017. Until then, you can follow the journey of the greatest cartoon band on Earth. Lead singer 2D is expected to get his own "book" next.

Follow it below and keep an eye out this weekend.


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