Nine albums in, Blur do not owe anyone any bangers. They are a four-piece very much in the post-urgent stage of their career, reaping the rewards of their long musical life at a pair of ecstatically received Wembley Arena mega-gigs a few weeks ago. These are men who have history of falling out (Damon Albarn and guitarist Graham Coxon, for two), falling back in together, spending time as a band because they want to, as a pleasurable sideshow to their main gigs. Gorillaz, Albarn’s other spectacularly successful vehicle, remain active. In his spare time he’s writing another opera. Coxon, a longtime solo artist, has the Waeve, a rich collaboration with his songwriter partner, Rose Elinor Dougall. Drummer Dave Rowntree recently released a respectable debut solo record. Alex James, bass, makes cheese and runs a festival on his farm.
