Here's the 20-year challenge for Blur- the band that will forever live on in fans' hearts as the 90s, youthful Britpop wonder that changed British music for a whole generation. Note- we couldn't do the 10-year challenge as Blur was not active in 2019 and we could not find any group photos!
Let's face it- Gorillaz is a political band. They've always sung about society- from guns, drugs to presidential elections. Damon Albarn's a man who loves social commentary, and he feels strongly for the recent turn of events in the world, including the US elections and of course, the infamous Brexit incident that everyone in the UK is anxious to talk about.
Here's a roundup of the 3 best Gorillaz songs that talk about all things Brexit, even if it isn't immediately obvious.
1) Humility
Given the references to loneliness and isolation in the lyrics ("Calling the world from isolation 'Cause right now, that's the ball where we be chained And if you're coming back to find me You'd better have good aim Shoot it true I need you in the picture") it's not surprising that many fans have inferred that Gorillaz has spoken to us about Brexit. The UK leaving the EU invokes fears of isolation, nationalism and extremist attitudes, not to mention that the UK will well and truly be lonely- in every sense of the word.
2) Clint Eastwood
Gorillaz's biggest hit may uncover more than you think- the lyrics are apt, chilling and telling ("My future is coming on It's coming on It's coming on It's coming on It's coming on") and invokes feelings of uncertainty, confusion and...chaos amidst the tripping, happy tune. It may not be obvious, but this Gorillaz tune may be darker than you think.
3) Hallelujah Money
This is the most politically-drive, statement-making song from The Now Now, Gorillaz's latest spine-chilling album. This song features singer Benjamin Clementine and explores the themes of power, big business and humanity. Legend has it that it was inspired by Donald Trump and most definitely Brexit- it's a true foreshadowing of the future, and all of it's negative effects on humanity.
Since everyone's into the 10-year challenge (if you're living under a rock- check out these funny memes that everyone's been posting), we thought it'd be fun to do one on behalf of Damon Albarn himself. Here is his 10-year challenge!
Breaking news- Flume, an EDM producer and DJ has been reported to be working with Damon Albarn for the last 18 months on new material. According to NME, Flume – AKA EDM DJ and producer Harley Streten – is currently working on the follow-up to his second album ‘Skin’, which was released in 2016. He told his audience on a social media post late last year that in 2019 “I’ll be back in your life, I promise,” ending a long hiatus.
According to an old Damon Albarn interview, Albarn has been in the studio with Flume before. Albarn mentioned in passing that he and Flume had worked on something in the studio together. He did give any information on what the tracks were called, when they would be released or specify whether their project would constitute a Gorillaz collaboration or a side project. Speculations have emerged about what exactly the frontman was working on with Flume back then, but new Gorillaz or one-off tracks cannot be struck out.
On 20 October 2018 at the Demon Dayz Fest LA, Damon Albarn's other well-known band Gorillaz played the familiar Song 2 theme but in characteristic Gorillaz style with dub/funk elements. While recognition was still dawning on the audience, Graham Coxon joined Gorillaz onstage and launched into his original riff before he and Gorillaz went on to perform the classic arrangement to an enthusiastic reception.
Watch below for some fun nostalgia!
Head's up, Damon Albarn's supergroup will be touring again and the tickets are selling out fast. The supergroup recently decided to release a new album and they're out and about the UK playing again. For Blur fans out there this is a great chance to see some of Damon Albarn's finest work.
A little about the band- made from the finest of musical royalty, The Good the Bad and the Queen are a project from King of Britpop himself, Damon Albarn. After making his name with Blur and then stepping up his game with the critically acclaimed Gorillaz, Albarn has made a name for himself as one of the most accomplished and innovative musicians around. With Simon Tong (The Verve), Paul Simonon (The Clash), and Tony Allen, legendary drummer of Africa 70.
Once and future Blur guitarist Graham Coxon has cultivated a solo career since 1998 that has simmered in North America among the Britpop frontrunners’ ardent cult. He’s overdue for a visit, however. Coxon’s upcoming Chicago date is his first since 2005, and part of his first one-man North American tour. “It’ll mainly be acoustic guitar, but I’ll have an electric on hand to make some noise for people who like that sort of thing,” he says.
Coxon is beloved for the barely controlled chaos heard on Blur favorites like “Song 2.” As an ardent student of folk masters Bert Jansch and Davy Graham, Coxon is also adept at fingerstyle acoustic fretwork. His riotous side is deployed on delirious solo cuts like “Advice,” while his melodic acoustic sensibility manifests during songs like “In the Morning.”