Gorillaz Album Release Date- New Album To Be Released In July 2017

With Gorillaz releasing their newest single just before President Donald Trump's controversial inauguration, everyone is left wondering- when exactly will Gorillaz release their new album? Empty promises aside (Damon Albarn said it will be released in late 2016 in an interview), the big question is when exactly will the new bomb drop. It's going to happen, but it's just a matter of when. 

Their last album, ‘The Fall’ was released in 2010 – a mere nine months after their third album, the techno and funkly ‘Plastic Beach’. The new album's status is currently a secret- and the band members are not revealing anything conclusive. With that in mind here are some things you should know about their big comeback of 2017.

In an interview in 2015, Damon Albarn said that he would start on the new album in 2015. He said “I’d love to just get back into that routine of being at home and coming to the studio five days a week.”

The Gorillaz has always been a spontaneous and unpredictable band. That is part of the fun. ‘Plastic Beach’ was recorded over a 17-months and their debut album took about a year, but their last album, ‘The Fall‘, was recorded during touring on an iPad. The band’s animator Jamie Hewlett claimed that “2016 is going to be Gorillaz all year.” He also said that Albarn is a workaholic and said, “I don’t think it will be long!”

Recently, in an Instagram post by a fan who met Jamie, it was claimed that the new album is now slated for a 2017 release date, with Hewlett saying the album is “really fuckin special” but “can’t be rushed”.

Albarn gave a further update when speaking to BBC 6 Music in July and all confirmed a release date of 2017. “Later in the year we’ll be starting to get the whole Gorillaz thing together,” he said. Albarn also continued to say, “I’m loving it and it’s getting there. It should be ready fairly soon.”

Damon Albarn- always up to "monkey business"

Following on from the release of ‘Hallelujah Money’, Gorillaz’ manager Michael Smith tweeted “Off we go then to London. Day 1 of @gorillaz prep” indicating that the great cog is turning, and we are indeed getting close to some monkey business.

Smith leaked some news of the possible release date (follow him here)

As Michael Smith's telling tweet was made on February 7th, it seems that we ought to make a reasonable guess of the new Gorillaz release date. Tentatively, it seems that the new Gorillaz will be released sometime in mid to late of 2017, since the music director is still working on his drums and synchronisations.

Give or take, it seems that the new Gorillaz - which will no doubt be the hottest record of the year- should be released in around 4-5 months. That means that fans should expect an album to be available in full at around August 7th 2017. With that in mind, the wait will be perhaps a bit more easier to bear!

Britpop Fashion Spotlight- Damon Albarn's Shirts

Since it's London Fashion week, we're continuing our Britpop Fashion Week by teaching YOU all about what Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon wears. A lot of fans have asked us where to get Damon Albarn's coats or shirts, as they admire the way he dresses. We've all been there, wanting to get Damon's new look, or Graham's cool shoes, and this time, the focus is on the button up shirts.

Damon Albarn's style has evolved from a typical Brit/ Mod style in the early 1990s to a more mature style in recent years. He often is spotted with button-up shirts and shirts with collars, which give him a more mature look. An example is the time when Blur is touring for their album "13", for which Damon Albarn wrote when Blur was at one of its lowest points of its musical history.

Get his look- Charles Wilson- £17.95 

Even during as recent as 2016/ 2017, Damon Albarn is often spotted in a button-up shirt. They're usually blue or light in color, which is contrasted with a Harrington jacket, or something darker in colour. Damon Albarn's style has definitely evolved, but a button-up shirt is a wardrobe must for any fan who wants to imitate his style.

We want to feature Charles Wilson, a British label who stocks all sorts of wonderful Britpop shirts and apparel for men. What's great about them is that their clothing is exactly the sort of things that a Blur fan will have in their wardrobes. Their shirts are high quality, soft and fits well. They also offer free delivery to UK on all orders over £30. Extremely affordable and fashionable, they're definitely on our radar. They're definitely a hassel-free shop, and we really like the shirt we bought on their store.

Check out their store and hope these tips help.

Britpop Shoe Trends- footwear by Samuel Windsor

"I've always looked at shoes as being immensely beautiful things."

-Graham Coxon

Did you know that Graham Coxon is famous for being obsessed with shoes? The Blur guitarist is rumoured to have hundreds of British shoes in his London home, all stacked up in a closet.

Graham Coxon and Damon Albarn actually bonded over a pair of shoes. In an interview, Graham Coxon said: "I became a mod when I was 12, and so began my obsession with brogues. I was influenced by the Jam and the 2 Tone movement, and I'd wear the slimmest-cut school trousers I could find, and alter my blazer to three buttons instead of two.

"On 'civvies day', when you could wear what you wanted, there would be fights on the field between the mods, skinheads and casuals. As soon as it was break time, us mods had to run somewhere safe - there were only six of us. I met Damon at school: one of the first things he said to me was that his brogues were nicer than mine. He had leather soles and mine were rubber."

All the styles we feature below are available from the fabulously British menswear shop Samuel Windsor that you will need to dress like a Brit-popper. Samuel Windsor sells quintessential British footwear, as well as men's shirts, polo shirts and suits. They offer a wide range of tailored, affordable shoes that ever music fan needs to achieve his or her favourite musician's look. Best of all, they offer shoes at 30% the prices on the high street - that's really affordable!

Regardless, here are 3 top shoe styles that YOU need to look like a Britpop celebrity.

1. Leather Loafers

Get this look: Leather Loafers by Samuel Windsor- £35.00 

First on the list are leather loafers- you cannot go wrong with loafers because they go well with shorts or longer pants. This elegant, versatile shoe trend is a favourite for celebrities and musicians. For singers in the Britpop era, they are no exception. For a timeless Britpop look, the penny loafer will be a great choice. These versatile men's shoes look great with a formal suit or casual weekend wear.

To get a Britpop look, we bought a pair of loafers from Samuel Windsor. Their loafers are the quintessential slip on shoe, made from 100% real leather with strong construction. We are very impressed with the make and finish of the shoe- our order was shipped out fast and the quality of the Classic Penny Loafers we got is fantastic! With these shoes, anyone can look like Damon Albarn or Graham Coxon- at a very reasonable price! 

2. Brogues

Get his look: Brogues by Samuel Windsor 

Another must-have for a Britpop look, Brogues are some of the most versatile shoes that any man can own. They are stylish, elegant and accords with a true Mod's style. Graham Coxon can be seen wearing leather brogues for some of Blur's most famous photo shoots and magazine shots, as well as in the 1990s interviews. Graham Coxon began wearing more brogues during the 2000s, evidently when he started his solo career. Brogues are also favourites of most of Britpop's legends- Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Brett Anderson and Jarvis Cocker. 

The Samuel Windsor range of leather brogues are available in a huge range of colours and materials. Their brogue designs are available as either black or brown brogues. These traditional, cool-looking leather shoes look good for work and formal occasions. 

3. Chelsea Boots

Get their look: Chelsea Boots by Samuel Windsor 

Alex James may be the laid-back bassist that everyone thinks he is, but did you know that one of his most-seen styles are his brown Chelsea boots? Chelsea boots were made famous by The Beatles in the 1960s, but is one of Britpop's biggest styles. Chelsea boots vary in style, but the best ones such as those from Samuel Windsor are handmade from suede and leather. Alex James paired it with a pair of casual jeans for a quintessential casual, laid-back British style. 

From Blur To Dr Dee: My Fascination With Damon Albarn

Hi, my name’s Charlie – I am a 21-year-old Damon Albarn fanatic born in North Yorkshire, England. I discovered Damon Albarn only five years ago (in 2012), and I know this is relatively short in comparison to many of the BlurBalls readers. A lot of you probably fell in love with Albarn when he was young, when Blur were in their hey-day, but I wasn’t even born until 1995!

I think my discovery of Albarn is unique because it happened after a Blur performance that most of the country thought was terrible. Even BlurBalls (!) published a piece reflecting on its poor quality. But, for me, it was brilliant and unforgettable. I talk about this, and other stuff (including the big anniversary of ‘Blur’), in my article that Huffington Post were kind enough to publish for me. 

Here’s a little excerpt:

“It was the 2012 BRIT Awards that sparked my Blur obsession into life. I was watching it with a sort of ‘love to hate’ attitude. I remember some pretty dreary performances from Ed Sheeran and Coldplay. At the end, Blur took to the stage, launching into an unforgettable performance of 'Girls and Boys'. Sporting red Doc Marten boots, Albarn was clearly a bit tipsy. He regularly entangled himself in the microphone wire, and those high-pitched ‘oh oh oh’s were strained and out of tune. Albarn encouraged the crowd to sing along but he reacted with disappointment when the suited, seated celebrities and swathes of teenage spectators barely responded. My sisters were horrified, but the energy of Blur’s performance and the charisma of Damon Albarn had me hooked. I bought The Best of Blur that night.

The next day at school, I learned that one of my best friends (with whom I shared a great love of Bowie) had hated the performance. He told me I’d become a fan of four middle-aged dads, which was true. I bought the Blur 21 boxset in July. I remember stacking crisps with such enthusiasm on my Saturday shift at a supermarket, knowing the box was waiting for me at home.”

Read the full article HERE. 

How To Dress Like Damon Albarn- featuring Lammyman

Damon Albarn is the quintessential Britpop style icon of the 1990s and early 2000s. Today we're going to break down what wardrobe essentials YOU need to dress like the Blur frontman, deemed one of the most fashionable men of Britpop in England. Most of the items can be bought on one of our favourite shops, Lammyman, a great, affordable store selling high-quality Mod, Skinhead and Retro clothing for men who want to get the look. They've been in the business for a while, and offer a huge selection of clothing for a 90s look. 

A bit about Damon Albarn' look- Damon Albarn dresses in what you would call a typical 'Mod' look. The classic Mod look is a strong vibrant statement where emphasis is placed on attention to detail. Since its emergence in the 1960's the look has evolved and become a staple of many a persons wardrobe. From Loafers, Sta Press trousers, Button-Down shirts to the classic Harrington Jacket , they all come with the word 'Mod' attached.

Lammyman stocks a huge range of clothing that look like they're straight out of Albarn's wardrobe. They also stocks a variety of handmade clothing from Connection Knitwear in Italy and are one of the few UK and Ireland stockists. Trojan Records Clothing polo shirts are a must for anyone wanting to stand out from the crowd. 

Without further ado, here are 5 essentials you must get to achieve Damon Albarn's Mod look. 

1) The Harrington jacket 

Get his look: Beige Harrington by Lammyman- £44 

A Harrington jacket is a classic Britpop/ Mod statement piece. Several decades on and the Harrington has been revived and updated for the modern male. It's versatile, vintage and looks perfectly on par with the 90s. Damon Albarn is sporting a Beige Harrington jacket, with a neutral color which matches with anything- the tartan lining gives it a classic preppy look, and it goes well with pretty much anything- a shirt, a polo shirt, a simple tee. 

You can often spot Damon Albarn sporting a Harrington jacket in many of Blur's photoshoots. Beige seems to be his color, but there are lots of other choices available, such as Navy, Burgundy, Green and Black. Fit is very important for Harrington jackets. A classic Harrington’s body will always be cut short in relation to the chest size and arms.

We ordered Lammyman's Combat Harrington jacket (above) and it arrived quickly in perfect condition. The sizing fits true to size, and the quality of the jacket is excellent. It is well-made, sewn properly and made in the UK. The inner tartan lining of their jacket gives the Harrington a fantastic and classic look. The sleeves are just the right amount of puffiness, and the jacket hits at just around the hip area, making it the perfect, put-together Britpop look. 

2) A Sports Jacket 

Playing football, drinking a beer at the pub- these were all in during the 90s, as lad culture was booming everywhere in England. In fact, sports jackets are associated as much with the musical scene than ever, since many celebrities and musicians engaged in friendly combat during their leisure time. We're thinking Britpop grunge, Nike, Adidas and the likes- striped shirts, jackets and waterproof lining. A sports jacket is definitely something individualized and  eclectic, which may be another reason it appeals now, when a pick-and-mix approach to culture and fashion rules.

3) Polo Shirt 

Get his look: Black Britpop Polo Shirt by Lammyman- £40 

Again, this is a must-have if you're going to get his look. Damon Albarn is renowned for his Fred Perrys, especially during the wake of his recent gigs. The polo is smart- just like the Modsters who wanted to be differentiated from the Rockers. They're best worn with slim trousers, big boots and of course, a big floppy head of hair (just like Albarn's). 

But did you know that during the 90s and the Mod revival era, not everyone was able to afford Fred Perrys? There are much more affordable options from brands such as Trojan Records and Merc, available here. These classic polo shirts are slim-fitting and have a collar with striped details. The Trojan polos were very popular in the 90s due to their association with the record label Trojan Records, which have signed a great number of Britpop bands. 

We ordered a Black polo from Lammyman, and were not disappointed. In fact, it's made of high-quality cotton and feels great on the skin. Perfect for a Damon Albarn look, and something that he would totally wear on stage or out and about in London. 

4) Button Up Shirt (preferably patterned) 

Get his look: Mod Shirts by Lammyman 

To catch up on the modern Mod trend, a lot of the button-down shirts are now a 3 finger collar from the likes of Brutus and Britac and 1960's sportswear knits from Art Gallery. These go great with Stay pressed trousers which are slim-fitting, and goes well with penny loafers. Damon Albarn often exudes a slightly 'preppy look'. No one does a penny loafer better than Bass Weejun. Bowling Shoes are very much to the fore again for the summer and Delicious Junction offer a great range. 

5) Striped Knit Sweater 

Get his look: 90s Knitwear by Lammyman 

Damon Albarn's known for his signature sweater - the striped, horizontal sweaters he wears for music videos such as Beetlebum and the like. Stripes were the symbol of the 90s and the Mod era- maybe it was something to do with the need for straight lines amidst the chaos of Britpop and the music scene. It was a crazy, chaotic time, and stripes were something of a calm order.

There's something youthful and simple about crew neck jumpers, and the way they exude confidence. Nonetheless, we're loving Damon Albarn's simple, yet eye-catching choice of knitwear in his days of being the King of Britpop.

With these 5 essentials, you'll have no problem getting Damon Albarn's look from the 90s.

Check out Lammyman's store at: lammyman.co.uk
Like them on Facebook HERE
Instagram: @lammyman

Celebrating 20 years since Blur's Beetlebum - Archive Interview Brings Back Memories

It's been 20 years since the release of the Blur's epic Beetlebum single. Check out this old interview of Blur from 1991- where they're all looking young and lovely.



When asked if it feels uncomfortable being labelled the hottest band in the world right now, a baby-faced Albarn replies: "It's quite an easy seat to sit in". "We're not lying back thinking we're amazing or anything, but at least we're kind of enthusiastic about it," he adds, while lying back unenthusiastically.

How much time flies! Stay tuned for more news regarding a possible new Gorillaz (and Blur) album!

Watch Beetlebum's music video here:

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz - Song Lyrics

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz

Song Lyrics 

Verse 1: Benjamin Clementine]

Here is our tree

That primitively grows

And when you go to bed

Scarecrows from the far east

Come to eat

Its tender fruits

And I thought the best way to perfect our tree

Is by building walls

Walls like unicorns

In full glory

And galore

And even stronger

Than the walls of Jericho

But glad then my friend

Out in the field we shall reap a better day

What we have always dreamt of having

Are now for the starving

It is love, that is the root of all evil

But not our tree

And thank you my friend

For trusting me

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]

Hallelujah

(Hallelujah)

Hallelujah money

(Past the chemtrails)

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hmmm

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah)

Hallelujah money

(Oooh)

[Bridge: 2-D]

How will we know?

When the morning comes

We are still human

How will we know?

How will we dream?

How will we love?

How will we know?

[Spoken Verse: Benjamin Clementine]

Don't worry, my friend

If this be the end, then so shall it be

Until we say so, nothing will move

Ah, don't worry

It's not against our morals

It's legally tender

Touch my friend

While the whole world

And whole beasts of nations desire

Power

[Bridge 2: 2-D]

When the morning comes

We are still human

How will we know?

How will we dream?

How will we love?

How will we know?

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]

(Hallelujah money)

Hallelujah money

(Past the chemtrails)

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hmmm

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hallelujah money

(Oooh)

Hallelujah money

Hallelujah money

Hallelujah

Hallelujah money!

[Outro: Spongebob Squarepants]

(Cries)

Blur Sheffield Poly Gig- 1990/ 1991

Here are 2 early Blur gig tickets that a Blur fan sent in from 1990/ 1991! Mark said that "I remember that the 1990 one was in a pretty empty bar. All I can rememberer though is that the very small crowd invaded the stage and Alex (I think ) climbed up on top of a very tall speaker stack system on the right hand side of the stage to escape!". What a throwback!

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz- An Honest Song Review

Overall Score: 2/5 

Catchiness: 1/5

Lyrics: 4/5

So Gorillaz delivered their latest track around 15 days ago, and it's been provoking a mixed reaction from fans. Judging from the number of likes and dislikes from their Youtube video, it's about time to finally write an honest review about what we thought of their song Hallelujah Money (below).

The song begins by crooning by Benjamin Clementine singing "Hallelujah Money"- it's a creepy, slightly eerie song, with a gothic and scary-movie feel. Damon Albarn then croons "How will we know when the morning comes" in his signature electro-pop synth sound in the background. The melody contains a choir singing in the background, not unlike the Blur single 'Tender'- but it's very, very different.

The song wins in it's lyrics- it's the best part of the song. The song's a slam to the regime of US President Donald Trump, as well as a rant on being human and the world we are living in. The message is clear- it's quite anti-Trump, anti-money and anti-capitalism. Period.

However, the song loses out in it's melody and tune. It lacks a tune, to put it simply. It's quite dead beat, and the tune lacks some of the oomph which makes Gorillaz what they are- a catchy band with top melodies. This song disappoints in terms of it's tune- it sounds like listening to a radio broadcast rather than an actual song. Even the song Doncamatic, released a few years ago by the band, seems much better.

All in all, it's a disappointing song, albeit one that carries a strong message. It's a bit like songs from Gorillaz's epic iPad album- only we have to say that we prefer Damon's iPad fiddlings much, much more.

On the other hand, check out Damon Albarn's genius lyrics below.

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz

Song Lyrics 

Verse 1: Benjamin Clementine]

Here is our tree

That primitively grows

And when you go to bed

Scarecrows from the far east

Come to eat

Its tender fruits

And I thought the best way to perfect our tree

Is by building walls

Walls like unicorns

In full glory

And galore

And even stronger

Than the walls of Jericho

But glad then my friend

Out in the field we shall reap a better day

What we have always dreamt of having

Are now for the starving

It is love, that is the root of all evil

But not our tree

And thank you my friend

For trusting me

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]

Hallelujah

(Hallelujah)

Hallelujah money

(Past the chemtrails)

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hmmm

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah)

Hallelujah money

(Oooh)

[Bridge: 2-D]

How will we know?

When the morning comes

We are still human

How will we know?

How will we dream?

How will we love?

How will we know?

[Spoken Verse: Benjamin Clementine]

Don't worry, my friend

If this be the end, then so shall it be

Until we say so, nothing will move

Ah, don't worry

It's not against our morals

It's legally tender

Touch my friend

While the whole world

And whole beasts of nations desire

Power

[Bridge 2: 2-D]

When the morning comes

We are still human

How will we know?

How will we dream?

How will we love?

How will we know?

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]

(Hallelujah money)

Hallelujah money

(Past the chemtrails)

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hmmm

Hallelujah money

(Hallelujah money)

Hallelujah money

(Oooh)

Hallelujah money

Hallelujah money

Hallelujah

Hallelujah money!

[Outro: Spongebob Squarepants]

(Cries)