Blur’s new album is everything fans could have asked for

Fans will not be disappointed with this 12 track offering, The Magic Whip.

It is unmistakeably Damon Albarn, the opener Lonesome Street taking me right back to the early days of the band.

It is 16 years since their last album as a four piece and it was certainly worth the wait.

The recordings, which began during a five-day break in touring in spring 2013, were put aside when the group finished touring and returned to their respective lives.

Last November Graham Coxon revisited the tracks and, drafting in Blur’s early producer Stephen Street, he worked with the band on the material.

Albarn then added lyrics and the 12 tracks of The Magic Whip are the result.

Out on Parlophone now.