The 50 best albums of 2023, No 8 – Blur: The Ballad of Darren

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Prior to the release of their ninth album, The Ballad of Darren, Blur frontman Damon Albarn described it as a reflection on the experience of being 55 years old. However, the album’s themes of nostalgia and anxiety about the passage of time resonate with a broader audience. It speaks to the universal realization that life is fleeting and that even in our younger years, we are faced with moments of reflection and realization. Blur’s ability to combine introspection with catchy pop tunes is on full display in The Ballad of Darren, making it one of their standout tracks.

Reworded: In a year filled with guitar-driven albums that confront the harsh realities of mid-life grief – such as those by Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters – Blur’s album deals with a more general and subdued type of anguish. Throughout the record, lead singer Albarn croons in a lower register, evoking the image of a washed-up lounge performer, expressing deep and heartfelt regret. His vocals transform seemingly simple and adolescent lyrics into profound reflections, as seen in the opening track “The Ballad,” a glittering, end-of-the-night lament. The upbeat “Barbaric” serves as a form of denial, with lyrics that convey devastation but sound like a carefree day at the beach. “Russian Strings” stands out as a beautiful yet haunting song about the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The album explores themes of relationships ending, self-reflection, and uncertain futures, all with a sense of cautiousness.

The album is concise, with only 10 tracks and a total length of 36 minutes. Despite its quick production, the music doesn’t feel rushed. Instead, you can sense the burst of creativity as the instruments intertwine with each other. The influence of artists like Bowie and later-era Arctic Monkeys is present, and there is a strong connection between the four musicians who draw from their extensive musical backgrounds. This is a flattering contrast to the patchwork of ideas that made up their previous album, The Magic Whip, which was created from leftover studio material. Graham Coxon’s preference for heavier guitar sounds and punk-inspired riffs is subdued, as he gracefully moves between verses and serves as a counterpoint to Albarn’s contemplation.

For decades, the term “B-word” has been looming over Blur. As a band, they reject the time period that they were associated with and have shaken things up with more obscure albums and side projects. However, in their track “St Charles Square,” they pay homage to the old “oi-oi” mentality, acknowledging that every generation has its own pretentious individuals. Similarly, “The Narcissist” can be seen as an apology for the egotistical behavior of a young rockstar, with background vocals resembling an angel on lead singer Albarn’s shoulder. Perhaps for the first time, Blur has found a balance that peacefully puts Britpop to rest.

It must be challenging to be a band that is still highly adored. You hope that the work you produce in your 50s is your best, even as thousands of fans remain captivated by the songs you created in your 25s – one of which was initially a joke that gained unexpected popularity. Despite some mistakes along the journey, Blur rediscovers elements of their former selves in a new era with their album, The Ballad of Darren. This release adds to their legacy without detracting from it. Perhaps this is the essence of middle age: coming to terms with a painful past, acknowledging the inevitable end, and bravely moving forward into the unknown future.

Source: theguardian.com