Gorillaz's new album due out in 2016

It's 2008 all over again, Foals' new album is banging, Bloc Party's latest effort is turning heads, Teh Last Shadow Puppets new album is coming and what's this - Gorillaz's new album too! Jamie Hewlett (who is behind nimations), told DIY Magazine that he’s "shutting myself away" to work on Gorillaz’s fifth album.

"I’m working on it at the moment, and it’s going very well. I’m very excited. I don’t want to say too much about it, but I’m at that phase of experimentation. What I try not to do when I’m working in this creative period, the cooking of the mess, is go to other peoples’ exhibitions and look at other peoples’ work. I close my eyes, and don’t want to know what anyone else is doing. Doing that has kind of ruined the creative process for me in the past, and I don’t want to let that happen again."

#Noodle

A photo posted by hewll (@hewll) on Oct 10, 2015 at 12:10am PDT

#murdoc #green

A photo posted by hewll (@hewll) on Sep 28, 2015 at 8:29am PDT

#2D

A photo posted by hewll (@hewll) on Sep 26, 2015 at 2:50am PDT

Gorillaz to record new album in September

More great news coming out from Damon Albarn, who can't seem to keep still in the music world as of late, with his first proper solo album out last year, Blur's new LP - "Magic Whip" - out this year, performing across the world and now he's announced that he will start recording a new Gorillaz album in September!

Albarn has told Australian television programme ABC 7.30.

"I'm starting recording in September for a new Gorillaz record. I've just been really, really busy so I haven't had a chance. I'd love to just get back in to that routine of being at home and coming to the studio five days a week."

 

Gorillaz are back for 2015 Jamie Hewlett confirms

Gorillaz's co-creator, artist and designer Jamie Hewlett has confirmed that the ground-breaking animated alternative computer band are returning.

In quite what capacity, the world's still fairly unsure. He began uploading some concept art to his Instagram account, and when asked if this was a harbinger of the return of 2D, Noodle, Russell and Murdoc, he succinctly replied "Yes. Gorillaz Returns."

Damon Albarn promises Gorillaz and The Good, The Bad & the Queen material

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Damon told the interviewer that he is currently writing a West End theatre musical adaptation of a children's book, and is in the process of reactivating Gorillaz for a 2016 release. As well as trying to find time to record a new The Good, the Bad & The Queen album, which he says is fully written.

Talking about Blur he said - "I would imagine there’s some kind of future, but at the moment there’s no time for the future – only the present. Who knows? I’m reluctant to say anything, because if I do, it just gets taken out of context and then I’m accused of being a wind-up"

You can listen to a previously unreleased Gorillaz track called "Whirlwind" below.

Mercury Music Prize Nominations Announced Tomorrow!

The prestigious Mercury Music Prize contenders will be announced tomorrow afternoon at 5:30pm by Alice Lavine at The Hospital Club in London. Television coverage will be broadcast on Channel 4 by Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw. Previous winners include James Blake, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and Alt-J.

So who could be in the running for the prize? Let's have a look shall we?

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB - 'So Long, See You Tomorrow'

It'll be the first time the boys get nominated for the award. This album shows exactly how diverse Bombay Bicycle Club can be.

EAST INDIA YOUTH - 'Total Strife Forever'

A storming LP with classic songwriting manipulated in to electronic soundscapes - an immersive concept of emotionally captivating work.

ELBOW - 'The Take Off and Landing of Everything' 

Familiar faces to the Mercury Music Prize having won it in 2008, 'The Take Off and Landing of Everything' sees Guy Garvey and co deliver another beautifully crafted album. 

COLDPLAY - 'Ghost Stories'

Also no stranger to the awards, 'Ghost Stories' is a darker more electronic return with special tracks including Jon Hopkins-produced 'Midnight' and 'Always In My Head', unfortunately let down by the formulaic Avicii collaboration 'A Sky Full of Stars'.

DAMON ALBARN - 'Everyday Robots'

The music veteran that is Damon Albarn released his first solo LP this year and took it to his headline set at Latitude. The album ventures in to Albarn's complex creativity and creates a wonderfully expressive result.

KATE TEMPEST - 'Everybody Down'

Kate is currently the bookmakers' favourite for a nomination and sees the 27 year old spoken word artist bring her gritty yet creative product to the spotlight. 

FKA TWIGS - 'LP1'

FKA Twigs' cryptic gallop to the frontline of left-field electronica was met with high critical reviews earlier this year. 

JUNGLE - 'Jungle'

The severely-hyped Jungle managed to free the pressure by delivering a consistent set of indie-funk tracks earlier this year. 

DANIEL AVERY - 'Drone Logic' 

Daniel Avery is still a relatively underground producer but 'Drone Logic' is a simplistic electronic concept but throws around many dynamics and contrasts to keep maximum interest in the sound. 

The Weekly Catch-Up (w/e 2nd August)

Happy Saturday to one and all, it's that time of week again where we delve into the past 7 days to re-live the best new music from all over the world. New videos, covers, new tracks and even some Sigur Ros demos!

Ed Macfarlene

Damon Albarn - Lucy

More music from old favourite Damon Albarn now, nope not that illusive Blur album but a new solo track that's in Scarlett Johansen movie - "Lucy". The motion picture soundtrack for "Lucy" is out now on Back Lot Music.

 
 

Adam French - More To Life / Ivory

Adam French today has been announced as one of the acts that'll be performing on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds festival. He has also unveiled two brand new tracks, one called "More To Life" and the other, the b-side "Ivory". You can check out both of the stunning songs below!






Catfish & The Bottlemen - Cocoon

Catfish and the Bottlemen keep on writing anthematic songs, when their album drops it's going to be an absolute corker. They're one of the most exciting bands around at the moment, their live shows, videos and tracks are all brilliant, so why not scroll on down to check it out!




Lonely The Brave - All Is Full Of Love

Cambridge rockers Lonely The Brave have covered Bjork's "All Is Full of Love", a song that her fans absolutely love! The band has certainly had a great year and with their superb cover of the song it looks like they really enjoyed it too! This is the third video taken from their Angel Studios sessions, take a look at others they've recorded here. 




Peace - Lost On Me

Yet another teaser for Peace's new album, following on from "World Pleasure" and "Money", "Lost On Me" has been released at the right time, with summery melodies in the chorus, atmospheric guitar solos and thick basslines this is certainly one for the summer! Scroll on down to check it out!




Pixel Fix - Overflow

Pixel Fix have continued their long run of outstanding music with their latest track "Overflow". The track itself is the closing cut from their latest EP - "Running Thin", which is out on the 4th of August via Owlbear Records. What's best about this release is that they're releasing it on cassette, I feel like a 8 year old boy again! Viva la cassette!

 


Ed Macfarlene - Crystal on the Lens

 The Friendly Fires front-man has uploaded a short 1:30 track called "Crystal on the Lens" which he describes as "MPC tomfoolery on a summer's day. Another one for the vault of dead ends." So might've this been a FF release? Who knows, but enjoy the fact he's making music again!

Damon Albarn streams new track "Sister Rust"

More music from old favourite Damon Albarn now, nope not that illusive Blur album but a new solo track that's in Scarlett Johansen movie - "Lucy".

The motion picture soundtrack for "Lucy" is out now on Back Lot Music.

Watch Damon Albarn play "Song 2" for the first time solo!

Damon Albarn is known for playing some slower Blur and Gorillaz songs from time to time when he's doing his solo sets, but this time round he has played one of Blur's (in my opinion) best tracks, the two minute 90's anthem "Song 2".

Scroll on down to watch the magnificence! You can also watch a video of him doing an interview here that he mentions that Blur have recorded 15 new tracks, a MUST for a fan!

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Damon Albarn open to making an album with Noel Gallagher

They were once at each others throats during the infamous Oasis vs Blur Britpop rivalry back in the 90's.

But with over twenty years having now passed, it appears that Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn's relationship has taken a complete U-Turn, and it's leading them straight into the studio - together.

This week, Damon revealed that making an album with the former Oasis man is a ''distinct possibility'' and that it wouldn't be ruled out. He claims that the pair have spoke about making music together at least once and at some point in the future, it's likely to happen.

Damon and Noel have spoke about making an album

Last year the pair appeared to bury their two decade hatchet when they performed together at a Teenage Cancer Trust gig at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Speaking exclusively to NME, the Blur frontman said: "I still see Noel from time to time. We text a bit," Albarn says. When asked if the pair would be making a record together, he replied, "I can imagine that being a very distinct possibility at some point in the future. But, as yet we haven't really talked about it…"

Damon continued: "OK we have a little bit. We're talking. It's not anything to get excited about yet. I mean, he's doing his thing. He's finishing a new record. I've got my record coming out, but the principle of us making music together is something…you know, it would be fair to say, we have discussed it at least once."

Damon Albarn will release his debut solo album 'Everyday Robots' on April 28th and Noel is said to be currently working on a follow-up to 2011's, 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds'.

(source: NME.com)

By George Henry King 

www.twitter.com/georgehenryking

www.georgehenryking.com

Damon Albarn to headline EXIT Festival

We've got the amazing news that Damon Albarn joins the EXIT line up to headline the Main Stage on Saturday 12th July, as part of a tour to mark the release of his first solo record 'Everyday Robots'.

EXIT was also voted the 'Best Major Festival' at the European Festival Awards so 2014 is a great year to come and experience the magic in Serbia!

EXIT FESTIVAL TICKETS, TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION

• EXIT FESTIVAL regular 4 day ticket £95 / 110 Euros + b/f 
• EXIT ADVENTURE (EXIT + SEA DANCE FESTIVAL) tickets £105 / 125 Euros 
• Camping tickets for EXIT and SEA DANCE will be available at the price of £25 / 30 Euros each +b/f each.
• Buy tickets here: www.exitfest.org/en/worldwide

Damon Albarn - "Blur have recorded 15 new songs"

Good news Blur fans! Damon Albarn told NME that they recorded 15 songs. The bad news: There's no album coming any time soon. "Just because you record 15 ideas doesn't mean that you've got an album," he said.

Watch the interview below!

Listen to Damon Albarn's new track "Heavy Seas Of Love"

Having secured a headline slot at Latitude Festival in Suffolk for later on this year, and he has unveiled a new track called  "Heavy Seas Of Love" as a little teaser for his upcoming album.

To have a listen, head over to Genero.tv, where you can hear the "Everyday Robots" track as part of an interactive music film project with the Tribeca Film Festival.

Damon Albarn to Headline Latitude 2014 and Release's New Single (Listen)

Blur frontman, Damon Albarn has been confirmed as Latitude's second headliner and to coincide with the announcement, has shared his first official solo single, 'Everyday Robots'- a track taken from his forthcoming debut solo album of the same name. (Listen and watch the video for the single below)

The news, that was announced via the Suffolk festival's Facebook page earlier this evening, comes a mere day after Albarn himself confirmed the release date and track listing of his first solo effort and means that his alleged 'only UK festival date', will take place on the Saturday night of the festival, whilst Two Door Cinema Club are already in place to bring proceedings to a close on one of the other remaining nights. 

Album Cover For Damon Albarn's First Solo Album

The album, which is scheduled to hit selves on April 28th, will feature collaborations with 'Bat For Lashes' singer, Natasha Khan and ambient music innovator, Brian Eno. Commenting on the albums producer, which is set to be XL records boss Richard Russell, Albarn said: "Richard does the rhythmic side and I do everything else - it's sort of folk soul." Praising the music mogul further, he goes onto add: "We worked together on the Bobby Womack record, and really enjoy working together. He's done spectacularly well as a music mogul, but I think he wants to focus his energy on producing records. Making a solo record can be such a disaster, so I thought if we're going to make a record with my name on it, I should get someone to really produce it – take that responsibility away from myself."

Latitude festival will take place in July from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th and acts such as Haim, Billy Bragg and Anna Calvi are already confirmed. 

The tracklisting for Damon's first solo album is as follows: 

'Everyday Robots'
'Hostiles'
'Lonely Press Play'
'Mr Tembo'
'Parakeet'
'The Selfish Giant'
'You And Me'
'Hollow Ponds'
'Seven High'
'Photographs (You Are Taking Now)'
'The History Of A Cheating Heart'
'Heavy Seas Of Love

George Henry King

www.twitter.com/georgehenryking

Damon Albarn announces new Africa Express album

Damon Albarn (Blur) has announced that he will be releasing a new 'Africa Express' album. It's been on and off since 2006 and it brings together collaborators from the UK and Africa.

Some people that are rumoured to be taking part are members of Django Django, however nothing has been confirmed yet. But a new release is due before the end of the year. "Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes" is set to gain release digitally on 9th December, with a physical release due out the following year.