Blur - The Magic Whip
Their time spent apart has created a strong definitive sound
The Magic Whip seamlessly breaks out of Blur's traditional style with the use of electronica and obscure instruments sprinkled over tracks to breathe life into what could potentially be a rehash of past albums.
Although being inspired by the streets of Hong Kong, it is quintessentially British pop with a fresh face. Perhaps this is inspired by the nature of the recording of this album - after 16 years apart, it can only be expected that an explosion of creativity would hit the four piece. Each track differs from the next, dipping into a variety of genres. Some fans may see this as a lack of direction, but after a couple of listens, all aspects of the album slot into place accordingly. At its core, The Magic Whip acts as a glowing example of bands that can break up and come back even stronger. Their time spent apart has created a strong definitive sound which once again sets them apart from other music legends. I can only hope their upcoming shows exhibit the same raw energy displayed on this album.
9.5/10
