{"id":82453,"date":"2023-06-30T11:33:47","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T09:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=82453"},"modified":"2023-06-30T11:33:50","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T09:33:50","slug":"blur-release-new-track-st-charles-square-ahead-of-new-album-the-ballad-of-darren-out-21-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2023\/06\/blur-release-new-track-st-charles-square-ahead-of-new-album-the-ballad-of-darren-out-21-july\/","title":{"rendered":"blur Release New Track ‘St. Charles Square’ – Ahead Of New Album, ‘The Ballad Of Darren’, Out 21 July"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With just over a week to go until blur take the stage for two unmissable shows at Wembley Stadium, blur today dropped \u2018St. Charles Square\u2019, the latest track to be released from their highly-anticipated brand new album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’, out 21st<\/sup> July on Parlophone.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Watch the music video for ‘St. Charles Square’ here<\/a>, and watch the album teaser for ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opening line of ‘St. Charles Square’, \u201cI fucked up, I\u2019m not the first to do it\u201d, has already been established as a crowd favourite, with audiences across Europe have joined in, roaring along with Damon Albarn on the band’s tour. The opening chords hark back to the band’s earlier work, particularly ‘Girls & Boys’, and the chorus recalls their characteristic art-pop swagger, with Albarn exclaiming, somewhat queasily, “cause there’s something down here, and it’s living under the floorboards”. There’s a feeling of impending peril, added to by screaming backing vocals, and the quintessentially stabbing guitar of Graham Coxon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 or so weeks ago blur made a surprise return with their song, ‘The Narcissist’, a full eight years since the release of their chart-topping album, ‘The Magic Whip’. The track has so far amassed an incredible 10 million streams plus, and crossing the divide between the years, and making it feel as though blur had never been away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On May 19 the band burst onto the stage at Colchester Arts Centre, Essex, the hometown for three quarters of the band members, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, and Dave Rowntree, and their performance set the scene for their shows in Eastbourne, Wolverhampton, and Newcastle and present European tour. In just over a week they’ll take the stage for their first-ever Wembley Stadium shows in London, having performed for more than 2 million fans already. Phew!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band will welcome old friend and special guest Phil Daniels for a very special guest appearance on both nights at Wembley Stadium, with Sleaford Mods joining the line-up for the sold-out Saturday 8th<\/sup> July along with critically acclaimed English singer-songwriter and Mercury Prize nominee Self Esteem and London-based electro-pop duo Jockstrap. Sunday 9th<\/sup> July will see Paul Weller and The Selecter open for blur, with DJs Steve Davis and John Doran & Kavus Torabi also set to entertain the crowds at what promises to be two unmissable summer nights in the capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

blur sold out their headline Saturday 8th<\/sup> July show at Wembley Stadium, in minutes, meaning they were able to add a second and final show for Sunday 9th<\/sup> July. The last remaining tickets are available via Ticketmaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

‘The Ballad Of Darren’ comprises 10 new tracks, and will be released on July 21, via Parlophone. Produced by James Ford, and recorded at Studio 13, London and Devon, and will be available as a digital download and streams (10 tracks);\u00a0Standard CD\u00a0(10 tracks) and\u00a0Deluxe CD\u00a0(12 tracks, w. expanded packaging),\u00a0Standard Vinyl LP\u00a0– 12\u201d heavyweight black vinyl; and –\u00a0exclusive\u00a0to\u00a0blur.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0Deluxe Vinyl\u00a0pressed on 12″\u00a0clear vinyl with black swirls, in a gatefold sleeve, with poster, bonus\u00a07\u201d vinyl, album\u00a0CD\u00a0(12 tracks) and\u00a0integrated booklet, including exclusive handwritten notes, sketches and lyrics; and\u00a0Cassette\u00a0(10 tracks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With just over a week to go until blur take the stage for two unmissable shows at Wembley Stadium, blur today dropped \u2018St. Charles Square\u2019, the latest track to be released from their highly-anticipated brand new album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’, out 21st July on Parlophone.<\/p>\n

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The single is a live version recorded at Wembley Arena. It is a cover of The Killers track and it features country pop duo, Ward Thomas.","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Jack-Savoretti-Chris-Floyd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Jack-Savoretti-Chris-Floyd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Jack-Savoretti-Chris-Floyd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Jack-Savoretti-Chris-Floyd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Jack-Savoretti-Chris-Floyd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":33015,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2018\/02\/george-st-clair-ballads-of-captivity-and-freedom\/","url_meta":{"origin":82453,"position":2},"title":"George St Clair – ‘Ballads Of Captivity And Freedom’","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"13\/02\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"George St Clair grew up on the high plains of Texas, where he formed a strong bond with the vastness of the great American West. His songs conjure up images of dry deserts and rolling grasslands, and the mountains of West Texas. Although he has lived in the UK for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Artists"","block_context":{"text":"New Artists","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/new-artists\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/george2.jpg?fit=680%2C280&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/george2.jpg?fit=680%2C280&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/george2.jpg?fit=680%2C280&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":73063,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2021\/12\/charles_on_tv_official_video_this_christmas_i_want_you\/","url_meta":{"origin":82453,"position":3},"title":"Charles on TV! Releases The Official Video For ‘This Xmas (I Want You)’ Today And There\u2019s A Hidden Message That We Should All Listen To.","author":"Steve Holley","date":"20\/12\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"With his usual wonderful style, Charles on TV has made his own version of a Christmas movie for these weird pandemic ridden times.","rel":"","context":"In "Christmas"","block_context":{"text":"Christmas","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/archived-categories\/christmas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Charles-on-tv-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C670&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Charles-on-tv-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C670&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Charles-on-tv-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C670&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Charles-on-tv-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C670&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Charles-on-tv-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C670&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22627,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2016\/08\/shawn-mendes-teases-with-track-mercy-ahead-of-illuminate-album-release\/","url_meta":{"origin":82453,"position":4},"title":"Shawn Mendes Teases With Track ‘Mercy’ Ahead of ‘Illuminate’ Album Release","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"23\/08\/2016","format":false,"excerpt":"With his new album, 'Illuminate' set for release on September 23, internet sensation Shawn Mendes teases his fans with his new single, 'Mercy'. 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