The 10 best indie albums of 2023 Returning superstars, bright young things and cult heroes ensured that 2023 was a banner year for indie Louder · Dec 18, 2023
The 30 best albums of 2023, from Olivia Rodrigo to Lana Del Rey Amid the chaos and confusion of the past 12 months, critics Mark Beaumont, Helen Brown, Annabel Nugent and Roisin O’Connor found plenty of comfort and solace in the year’s musical offerings The Independent UK · Dec 14, 2023
The 50 best albums of 2023, No 8 – Blur: The Ballad of Darren Blur’s ninth album is a perfect combination of middle-aged regret with swooning pop, a powerful career summation The Guardian - UK · Dec 13, 2023
Blur's Damon Albarn takes swipe at Rolling Stones and their new album Hackney Diamonds Blur frontman says he can find "no joy" in Rolling Stones' new album and slams their promotional tactics Louder · Dec 10, 2023
Damon Albarn slams The Rolling Stones and their new album Hackney Diamonds: “Making exactly the same music but not that good. There must be no joy in doing something like this" “I love the idea of devoting your life to one thing, in search of the sublime. But the truth is, they’ve become worse” MusicRadar · Dec 8, 2023
Santa Cruz 5010 GX AXS RSV review – the best handling trail bike you can buy? Santa Cruz says its new 5010 is "the best handling trail bike ever" but what do our expert testers say? Bike Perfect · Dec 6, 2023
European music festivals 2024: the best events to travel to, from Dimensions to Sonus Summer starts now Evening Standard · Nov 9, 2023
OpeaSea and NFTs used to be red-hot—not these days The flagship company of the NFT sector looks like it may be out of ideas to force a turnaround. Fortune · Nov 6, 2023
‘I went into labour at a Radiohead gig’: Sadie Frost’s honest playlist The actor and star of Pulp’s Common People video likes a little cry to the Bangles and Blur. But which 60s pop classic did she used to sing with her old boyfriend? The Guardian - UK · Oct 23, 2023
From Boy in da Corner to Fallen: Classic 2003 albums celebrating their 20th anniversary this year Thankfully, it wasn’t all Busted and Black Eyed Peas... Evening Standard · Sep 21, 2023
From Bruce Springsteen to Dungeons & Dragons: the stadium gig king expanding beyond music Steve Homer wants AEG Presents to become the UK’s second-largest promoter as he rebuilds momentum after Covid The Guardian - UK · Aug 27, 2023
Steve Borthwick’s England masterplan in a blur as World Cup rivals sense upset Suspensions, injuries and a stymied attack: Argentina in France next month, or even Fiji on Saturday, will be scenting a real opportunity The Guardian - UK · Aug 25, 2023
Flow Festival Helsinki review: a genre-spanning party with huge names If there is a festival of the future, Flow is it Evening Standard · Aug 17, 2023
Jockstrap on keeping secrets and opening for Blur: ‘The audience is on our side and I’m not used to that’ The shapeshifting sensations cover everything from classical to techno, and were just shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. Duo Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye speak to Megan Graye about their idols, their process, and ‘surrendering’ to tour life The Independent UK · Aug 13, 2023
Evening Standard · Jul 25, 2023 When are Blur on stage at London’s Eventim Apollo tonight? Britpop icons to perform full album at Hammersmith venue
Evening Standard · Jul 24, 2023 The future of social media: is it time to quit scrolling for good? X? Twitter? Threads? Instagram? Social media is starting to lose its sparkle somewhat. Is it time for the Great Big Log-off?
Louder · Jul 23, 2023 10 terrible Britpop albums with one classic song There were some era-defining records made during the Britpop boom, but some stinkers too. Here's ten terrible efforts that were saved by one song.
The Guardian - UK · Jul 22, 2023 Blur: The Ballad of Darren review – mature melancholia spiked with adventure Comparing it to a surprise baby, late-life Blur’s ninth album finds them on eloquent, emotional form, casting a wistful eye over past glories while pushing forward musically
Evening Standard · Jul 21, 2023 Blur - The Ballad of Darren album review: Mature sound suits the Blur of 2023 Blur’s first album in eight years has an unhurried, melancholy, sophisticated feel
MusicRadar · Jul 20, 2023 Blur's Graham Coxon: "The Coffee + TV chord shapes are just ridiculous" "That’s another case of me making life very difficult for myself!”
The Guardian - UK · Jul 20, 2023 Blur: The Ballad of Darren review – middle-age regrets voiced in gorgeous tunes Nostalgic melancholy fills Blur’s ninth studio release, a courageous album that shows the band have something germane to say about getting old
The Independent UK · Jul 20, 2023 Blur review, The Ballad of Darren: The band’s best record since 1999 Songs that elevate Damon Albarn’s suburban tristesse into moments of sheer ecstasy
Louder · Jul 20, 2023 A beginner’s guide to Britpop in five essential albums It was an indie phenomenon that changed everything: here’s five classic records that defined Britpop
Evening Standard · Jul 19, 2023 Don’t take the Mickey out of our arts degrees: Sunak invites National Theatre to No 10 Sunak said so-called ‘Mickey Mouse degrees’ are a “a waste of time and money” this week
The Guardian - UK · Jul 17, 2023 ‘Suddenly misfits became pop stars, and we were part of it’: How Jo Whiley and Steve Lamacq made Radio 1’s Evening Session We were going to all these gigs and it was like all these bands – Suede, Blur, Oasis, the Verve – were our mates down the pub. There was no fakery or pretence