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Blur's Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon have discussed the unique set of circumstances that saw them record The Magic Whip - with hints the best music of their career might be yet to come.
Speaking to Billboard, Graham Coxon explained how creatively inspiring the sessions had been given that the band are now firmly in middle age.
"It's weird that we're between 45 and 50 and we're only just realising the potential of our relationship musically," Coxon said. "This process has shown us a lot more than I ever thought it would, what we like about each other and what we both enjoy about the music that we make together ... If we had done this 20 years ago, it would have been a lot easier."
Damon Albarn, describing himself as "terminally promiscuous", compared birthing the album to a couple unexpectedly having a new addition to their family. "The story of this record can be compared to a middle-aged couple, out of the blue, receiving the news that there was going to be a new baby, after the original children had grown up," Albarn said. "We had no intention of having another kid and then suddenly, almost miraculously, one appeared."
Albarn also discussed how he was delighted to see the album as a joint project together with Coxon: "The reason why I'm so excited about it and happy about it is that the responsibilities were being shared for the first time in maybe 20 years and that's really important."
Blur's The Magic Whip recently topped the charts and next month the band will be hitting the road to perform three shows - calling at Glasgow, Blackpool, and Llandudno.
Blur's newly announced dates are below. Tickets are now on sale. For tickets and information, visit here.
JUNE
9 - Glasgow, Barrowlands
10 - Blackpool, Empress Ballroom
11 - Llandudno, Cymru Arena
They are also set to play the Isle of Wight festival and Barclaycard Presents British Summertime.
