10 things you didn't know about The Magic Whip

1. Blur produced this album secretly in Hong Kong, when they were there for tour in 2014. Graham Coxon even revealed that he had to lie to friends and family in order to keep their new album secret.
2. In May of 2013, Blur were set to play Japan's Tokyo Rocks Music festival. However, the entire festival was cancelled for unknown reasons, leaving the band stranded in Hong Kong for an extra 5 days. The result of this extra 5 days of studio work is the new album, where Albarn later stated he was unsure whether the resulting music would ever be released.
3. Stephen Street, the producer of The Magic Whip, actually produced Blur's first album 'Leisure' and several other subsequent albums. He had a fall-out with the band a few years ago where there was a mini-feud between him, William Orbit and other Blur members. 
4. The Magic Whip is band's first studio album since Think Tank (2003), marking the longest gap between two studio albums in their career.
5. Stephen Street actually plays keyboard in several of Blur's live performances as part of their new 2015 tour. See this video for Stephen on the keyboards! 
6. The cover of the album features the Chinese words of 模糊 魔鞭, which translates into "Blur Magic-whip". The artist, Tony Hung, who also created the lyric video for "Go Out",  met with frontman Damon Albarn in early 2015 to discuss the album artwork and was shown photos and ephemera from the singer's travels in Hong Kong.
7. Damon Albarn has always enjoyed featuring Asian cities or Chinese elements in his songs. His hit from Gorillaz- Hong Kong- was also about the city, as is the whole of The Magic Whip. The song 'Ong Ong' in particular is also a tribute to Hong Kong. 
8. Graham Coxon said that The Magic Whip is his favourite Blur album of all time. His reason? "It's poignant – a lot of what Damon [Albarn]'s saying with the lyrics would maybe resonate with someone who's my age, feeling dislocated by technology but also slightly enslaved by it, and worried about where it's all going to end up. I feel like he's saying the stuff that I feel". 
9. The Magic Whip actually contains only half of the songs that Damon Albarn has written in Hong Kong. Alex James has revealed that the band have enough material to release another new album, having only used half of the tracks they wrote for 'The Magic Whip'.
10. Damon Albarn’s voice has changed a lot, evident in his new album. His voice matured from a more high-pitched voice to a deeper, raspier and melancholic voice which conveys the feeling of the Magic Whip well. It's probably why the new album received very positive critical reviews. 

Graham Coxon and Stephen Street Interview

Here's a great little interview about Blur's Hong Kong sessions and recording their newest album The Magic Whip. Graham Coxon and Stephen Street talks about their latest collaboration and feelings towards the album.

Blur at UK Number 1 for New Album

The Magic Whip, Blur's first album since 2003 has topped the UK Top Album chart in May 2015. It's currently at number 1 on the list. This is the group's first number one album in 12 years. 

They knocked out last week's chart topper Josh Groban's Stages, into fourth place.

The album chart saw little in the way of new entries aside from Blur, with Scottish twins The Proclaimers scoring the second highest new entry with Let's Hear it for the Dogs debuting at number 26. Taylor Swift's 1989 was at number two, followed by James Bay's Chaos and the Calm at three. 

Blur live at La Musicale 2015

Watch Blur perform their new album The Magic Whip, live in Paris, La Musicale in 2015.

Blur Ong Ong Lyrics

(La la la)

I got on a boat on a hot sunny day
To get out of this town
But the tarmac was melting and the people seemed to sway(?)
Stuck in the underground

To the isle of (?) rainclouds and (?) wishing tree
I wanna be with you

On the slow boat that lands on misty sea
I wanna be with you

I pulled out the harbour with precession behind and i'm
feeling the love of you

So you better get to charge until i see you again
You know just what to do

If you're caught up in the (?) junk boat sea
I wanna be with you

On a hill where the mountains are high trapeze
I wanna be with you

Ooh, nah nah, aaaah

If you're a landlord, the social (?)
I wanna be with you

On an isle of regret/rainclouds & (?) seas
I will be there with you

Ooh

(La la la) I wanna be with you

New Blur song review- Ong Ong

Rating: 5/5

Quite possibly our favourite song on Blur's new album The Magic Whip, the new song 'Ong Ong', premiered live on Jools Holland's show on April 14th is simply gob-smacking. It's a perfect, summery and light tune, where Damon sings his lyrics "I wanna be with you" behind a chanting "La La La La".

The melody is top-notch, with it's soothing and melodic tune. Graham Coxon's guitar shines as he gives out his best performance so far, and Damon Albarn's voice is very fitting for the song. The backup singers were also very fitted for the song, giving it a full sound unlike Lonesome Street, Blur's other single.

The Hong Kong and Asian theme is also evident in the song, where there's an interlude between choruses where an exotic tune is played.

All in all, Ong Ong is similar to something between a Beatles song crossed with Blur's tunes from Modern Life is Rubbish. It's absolutely a gem and we are sure it will be a crowd favourite in Blur's Hyde Park performance later on in the year.

Blur- I Broadcast lyrics

Blur - I Broadcast LYRICS

I love the aspects of another city

The representatives are alright

Its such an amazing mistake at a time

Waking up and seeing the industrialize light

Broadcast

Goes on another day

All for a cold sore

Something I know nothing

I love the aspects of another city

They got you another in your blood type

It doesn't make another closure

The apparitions of another prodigal night

Right?

I broadcast

Goes on another day

All for a high score

Something I know nothing

What you said it

I got it

I got it

I broadcast

Goes on for another day now

All for an encore

Something I know nothing

Blur premier new songs Ong Ong and I Broadcast- Jools Holland

Blur showcased two songs, 'Ong Ong' and 'I Broadcast', from their forthcoming album Magic Whip, which is their first in 12 years and is due for release on 27 April 2015. The new songs form part of their new album's "Hong Kong" theme.

Damon Albarn looked like he's in great condition, showing off his signature British menswear and a leather jacket. Alex James looks his usual best in a white shirt and hair shaking, and the other two members of the band Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree was in their usual form. The show also featured other bands such as The Vaccines performing new upcoming singles.



Watch Blur live on Jools Holland (BBC Two) - I Broadcast




Blur performing Ong Ong

Which song do you prefer?

I Broadcast

Ong Ong

Neither

 

free polls

Designing the perfect room to enjoy your music when living in a flat

Whether the sheer orchestral beauty of Beethoven or the grungy kaleidoscope of psychedelic rock draws you in, cranking up the stereo and giving in to complete aural surrender is nothing short of bliss. If music doesn’t immortalise our memories, captivate our minds and souls, then what does? Music gives us that happy place we can escape to, whether it’s on the go or relaxing after a long day at work.

Sound and space

If you covet your sound system, you will most likely arrange your space to accommodate your musical passion. If you’re a musician or DJ, you’ll no doubt have your own room or corner studio set up. How can you construct the perfect musical space?

Many of us are fairly limited in our possibilities, partly because we tend to live in small accommodation. A massive stereo system will not have optimal sound in a small space because it requires specific physical measurements and characteristics to work acoustically. That isn’t to say you can’t soak up the modal goodness of the jazz greats, however. Wooden floors, panelled walls and limited objects and clutter allow better sound, but it’s also important to consider what happens on the exterior of the room as well.

If you’re living in a quiet neighbourhood – or even a noisy one – keeping your sound system contained is a courtesy you owe all your neighbours who may not share your affection for Adam Ant at 3 in the morning. Soundproofing is not only about being kind but also about getting to enjoy your greatest hits albums with peace of mind. Here’s what you need to do:

·       Make sure floors are well insulated. Carpets and thick underlay do an excellent job of absorbing sound. You can also purchase special acoustic sealant to use around floors and walls.

·       Walls can be soundproofed by cavity wall insulation, or for smaller budgets, blown mineral fibre insulation. You can also find soundproof panels to install directly on the walls.

·       Acoustic mineral wool, acoustic plasterboard and soundproofing mats can also be used to reduce “flanking noise” (the indirect path of sound waves which escape into nooks and crannies).

Windows are another big issue with soundproofing, and should also be sealed properly. Ideally, homes should be fitted with double-glazed windows, which also offer the added bonus of keeping the heat in during winter and saving on energy. When properly installed, sealed, and shut, with the help of solid shutters, sound will remain contained.

Comfort

Just as importantly, optimising your music experience also means setting up a layout that is comfortable and welcoming – a cosy seating area, storage for your CDs, vinyls, tapes, and other media as well as the entertainment system you’re using. There are all kinds of dynamic ways to rearrange a room – with a little incentive; you can bring into fruition your own little space you can escape to every day. Your ears and your neighbours will thank you.

Blur- Lonesome Street Lyrics

What do you got? 
Mass produced in somewhere hot 
You'll have to go on the Underground 
To get things done here 
And then you have [?] service done 
This is a place to come to, or, well, it was 
I know a hot spot 
Crossing on the guillotine 

[Chorus]And if you have nobody left to rely on 
I'll hold you in my arms and let you drift 
It's got to be that time again 
And you, you will be over soon again 

So get yourself up, get past on your way 
There's nothing to be ashamed of 
Taking off again 
The 514 to East Grinstead 
You've set me off
And talking types will let us down 
Talk, talk on your arse all night 
You wanna be there 

 [Bridge] Step inside the tarmac ride 
To the land that time forgot 
Oh, we're just gonna go there 
Cracks inside the tarmac ride 
To the land that crime forgot, oh no 

And if you have nobody left to rely on 
I'll hold you in my arms and let you drift 
Going down to Lonesome Street 
Going down to Lonesome Street 
Lonesome Street 
Going down to Lonesome Street 
Lonesome Street 
Going down to Lonesome Street 
Lonesome Street

Lonesome Street by Blur- Song Review

Rating:

Blur's new single Lonesome Street is another hit, not because it's the greatest song of all time, but because it manages to capture the essence of Blur's 90s sound and merge it with new tinges of their album 'The Magic Whip', due out in the middle of this year.

The song begins with a small tune from a keyboard, and launches into Dave Rowntree's signature repetitive drumming- energetic, simple and well, Blur-like. The drumming must be applauded in this song as it forms the baseline of the track. It gives the song a Brit-pop vibe, which will definitely make it different from other songs in the charts these days.

Some say Lonesome Street sounds like a mixture of an early Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett. Indeed this is true. This song could fit right into the early pop tracks, as Damon Albarn sings about "cracks inside the tarmac ride" , "crossing the street" to taking a train to East Grinstead.

Sounding somewhat like a track that could fit right into either "Leisure", "Modern Life is Rubbish" or The Great Escape, this track can fit right in somewhere between "Charmless Man" and "One Born Every Minute". Indeed it could even be a b-side to their earlier 90s albums, because it has the raw energy and touch to the tune.

The only criticism that one can give is that the song sounds slightly repetitive towards the end. Damon Albarn repeats "Lonesome Street" increasingly towards the end, and the lyrics are limited by this phrase. Even so, the song still gives us happy vibes because it does not disappoint.

Again, the release of this track preludes their eagerly awaited album, which should be even bigger, better and will not fail to impress fans.

Check out the lyrics for Lonesome Street and stay tune for more Blur updates, right here on our site.

What would you rate it?

New Blur interview about their new album Magic Whip and 2015 tour

Listen to a new Blur interview featuring Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree talking about their new album The Magic Whip and its makings, and the role Graham Coxon played in shaping their new direction.

listen to ‘Blur: "Completely shared experience again"’ on audioBoom

New Blur Single- Go Out lyrics

Blur- Go Out lyrics 

Oh, oh, oh,oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
I get this stand alone
Dancing with myself
We go get a gong
Luxury of style
I've seen you in the hall
Dancing with myself
I get into my bed
I'll do it to myself
To the local
 oh oh oh oh

To the lo-oh-oh-cal

To the lo-oh-oh-oh-oh-cal

I get into my head

There's nothing to be addressed now

There's nothing to get up about

Cos you do it all the time

For shepherd this untouch

Done it all again

I get ready to go

he going to the local 

He going to the lo-cal

He going to the lo-oh-oh-oh oh local 

He going to the lo-oh-oh-oh oh local 

To many western men

Took part and left undone

Imperious desire

The feathers of luxury

A go-getter in the sky bar

She on a roll

She get ready to go

She does it with herself

She does it with herself

She does it with herself

She does it on her o-o-o-o-o-own 

She does it on her o-o-o-o-o-own 

  

'Go Out' - New Blur Single of 2015 released

Review- Go Out by Blur 

The new Blur single 'Go Out' sounds like something right out of Blur's earlier album. The song, featuring a single repetitive drum beat signature of Dave Rowntree's style, is similar to the earlier, younger Blur of the 1990s when they were still in the hey-days of Britpop.

Fans will instantly recognise the sound of Blur in 'Go Out', where Damon Albarn sings "We go into the local... We go into the local, oh oh" and chants his "oh oh oh"s similar to their earlier songs in the album "Blur" and "Think Tank". The lyrics include references to Hong Kong and the band's outings around the city in China, one of the biggest destinations for experiencing the East and West mix.

Interestingly, the music video also features a women making homemade-ice cream. The song reminds us of "Advert" in Modern life is Rubbish, where Damon sings about the disillusionments with modern TV advertisements and commercialism. We can't help thinking Damon is trying to recreate some of the social critiques that his earlier songs have going on, only with a different sound. It's a very multicultural video, reflecting perhaps what's to come in the album The Magic Whip, due to be released on the 27th April 2015.

The song's guitar riff in the middle is reminiscence of the band's latest album Think Tank, where there's a move towards more of a rock style. The song ends abruptly, leaving us wanting more.

Overall, this is a catchy, interesting but simple song by Blur, whose return is much welcome in the world of British pop. They've given us a new single with a unique sound, which reminds us of the 1990s and sounds very much like Britpop, although with less of the fancy instrumentals, xylophones and other instruments which Damon Albarn liked to use before.

 

The soundtrack for Blur's new 12 song album in 2015 will be:

1. Lonesome Street
2. New World Towers
3. Go Out
4. Ice Cream Man
5. Thought I Was a Spaceman
6. I Broadcast
7. My Terracotta Heart
8. There are Too Many of Us
9. Ghost Ship
10. Pyongyang
11. Ong Ong
12. Mirrorball

What would you rate it?

Blur announce a new album The Magic Whip in 2015

Blur has officially announced their new album titled "The Magic Whip" to be released on April 27 is available to pre-order from today.

Featuring a distinct Chinese theme, Blur announced their first album as a four-piece in 16 years at a live streamed Facebook event from Chinatown in London.

According to Blur, the recordings began during a five-day break in touring in Spring 2013 at Avon Studios in Hong Kong. Last.  November Graham Coxon revisited the tracks and, drafting in blur's early producer Stephen Street, he worked with the band on the material. Damon Albarn completed the songs by adding his lyrics and thus produced this new album.

This is fantastic news for Blur fans, as no one expected a new Blur album to be released at such an early date. Previously, the band announced a comeback but had scheduled it for 2016/2017.

The band also announced they will headline British Summer Time Hyde Park on Saturday 20th June 2015. Tickets go on general sale at 9am, Friday 27 February from www.bst-hydepark.com.

The soundtrack for Blur's new 12 song album in 2015 will be:

1. Lonesome Street
2. New World Towers
3. Go Out
4. Ice Cream Man
5. Thought I Was a Spaceman
6. I Broadcast
7. My Terracotta Heart
8. There are Too Many of Us
9. Ghost Ship
10. Pyongyang
11. Ong Ong
12. Mirrorball

Watch the music video for their new single "Go Out" below. 

6 things you didn't know about Gorillaz

With all the news about a new Gorillaz album in 2015 or 2016, here are 6 facts that you didn't know about the band's tumultuous and interesting history.

1. Damon Albarn formed Gorillaz after his last Blur album, having settled down with his girlfriend and even becoming a father. Gorillaz was the first product of Albarn's rebirth, which was the project fronted by four cartoon characters.
2.  Jamie Hewlett was the artist with whom he shared a house in between the end of his relationship with ex-girlfriend Justine Frischmann and the decisive start of his life with current girlfriend Suzi Winstanley. Essentially this was a roommates' collaboration.
3. Jamie Hewlett hated Damon Albarn at first- quoting Jamie: "Damon was very competitive, and I had the whole Tank Girl thing going. Then in the late Nineties I split up with Jane, around the same time Damon broke up with Justine, and for some reason we decided to get a flat together. We'd spend hours watching MTV and wondering why everything on it was so terrible. I think Damon was tired of being the frontman for Blur, and I was just aghast at how boring most pop groups are when they're interviewed. Look at them, on television, all sat on the couch with nothing to say. So we said, "Let's make up a fake band".
4. In 2010, the two co-founders had yet another fallout. Jamie stated that he felt that people were starting care more about the music and less about his characters and art. The two creators had many disagreements while on tour in 2010 and were growing apart. Although they didn't split then, it spurred rumours about the split several years later. 
5. In 2011, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett had an argument, which led to the news that row "basically ended things" for the group. They have been hit with rumours of break-ups and split-ups, with some insiders commenting that Gorillaz are always "dogged with angry rows".
6. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have  broken up a few times over 2011-2015, allegedly over personal issues. Damon also once said that he was "less than impressed with Jamie’s party lifestyle."