Future for Blur getting clearer

Blur hit the top of the charts with 1997's irresistibly catchy single "Song 2," a track that scored almost every jump-cut inundated action sequence for years to come.

But following Graham Coxon's band-invited departure during the recording of Think Tank in 2002, he moved on to solo projects (see Love Travels at Illegal Speeds). Meanwhile, Damon Albarn had turned over a new musical leaf with the experimental-cartoon group, Gorillaz.

But now, rumor has it, the boys are back in town, and getting together for a brand new album.

"It's going to happen soon," said band bassist Alex James of recording with his bandmates, according to an interview with NME.com. "It's important for us emotionally not to leave Blur as an unfinished thing. It could be a good thing musically as well."

Who knows what the new album will sound like? After the sharp turn in an electronic, mediterranean direction (mainly influenced by Albarn's taste coupled with album producer Fatboy Slim), we have no clue. But James gave a bit of a hint in the interview.

"Good guitars would be good," he said of the new album. "But mainly I talk to Graham about mandolins and prog music."

Related links:
Blur.co.uk
BlurTalk.com
GrahamCoxon.co.uk

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.