Blur have introduced a brand new merch capsule and two new variations of ‘The Magic Whip’ to have a good time the album’s tenth anniversary. Discover the main points beneath.
Information of the brand new releases come a decade on from the discharge of the chart-topping eighth studio album from the Britpop icons, and can arrive in time for File Retailer Day 2025.
Following on from the 2015 unique launch, this spring will see the band reshare the album in two new vinyl codecs, together with new, up to date art work from artist and designer Tony Hung.
The primary is about to reach on File Retailer Day (April 12), and can be a tenth Anniversary Version Half-Velocity Mastered Zoetrope Image Disc, obtainable solely in unbiased document shops. The second is a tenth Anniversary Half-Velocity Mastered Gold Vinyl, arriving on April 25. This comes with new cowl artwork that options gold foil and embossing.
As for the merch capsule, the discharge will see a brand new five-piece assortment designed by Tony Hung, crafted solely to have a good time a decade since ‘The Magic Whip’s launch. Just like the Gold vinyl, the merch may also drop on April 25 and can function a T-shirt, tote, badge, bomber jacket and umbrella all impressed by the distinctive album art work.
Try unbiased document shops for the Zoetrope Image Disc, and go to right here to pre-order the gold vinyl and merch capsule.
“My remodeling of the quilt artwork was impressed by a deep dive into the album’s lyrics the place I discovered extra depth, anxiousness and a dystopian edge, all of which I needed to convey on this new version,” stated Hung. “Upturned, the now spoiled ice cream introduced a heavier tone, while the cone prompt a tower-like construction. The concept of an lively broadcast tower, hovering above the clouds felt oppressive and menacing, suitably setting the scene.”
The artist, who can also be behind the arcade-game-inspired video for album observe ‘Ong Ong’, added: “The ultimate cowl artwork was achieved by juxtaposing the above with the colourful aesthetic and colors related to ‘lai see’ (fortunate cash) envelopes; a standard Chinese language gesture, the place stated envelopes (containing cash) are gifted to family members throughout particular events such because the lunar new yr, birthdays, anniversaries and many others. Completely befitting ‘The Magic Whip’s tenth anniversary, whereby our package deal comprises the present of music.”
When it was first shared 10 years in the past, ‘The Magic Whip’ marked the primary Blur album with the unique four-piece in 16 years, and went on to succeed in the Quantity One spot on the UK Album Charts.
In a four-star evaluate, NME praised the document for capturing a extra sombre and melancholic tone to their earlier releases. “Blur have all the time striven to make their albums era-defining snapshots of life and tradition, and ‘The Magic Whip’’s portrait, in distinction with its garish art work, is commonly a mournful monochrome,” it learn.
You possibly can go to right here to search out all different new File Retailer Day 2025 releases.
As for Blur, the band lately opened as much as NME about what the long run has in retailer for them – notably after their enormous Reside At Wembley Stadium live performance movie and their set at Coachella 2024.
“We are able to’t go away it too lengthy as a result of we’re knocking on,” guitarist Graham Coxon stated, taking a look at upcoming bulletins from the band. “Creatively, we’ll all the time be capable of do one thing, however it’s necessary that we dwell life for a bit and hopefully not undergo one thing so traumatic earlier than getting again collectively once more.
“Damon’s [Albarn, singer] all the time stated too that we have to dwell life so we have now one thing we will carry collectively if we’re ever going to do something once more. If that each one occurs, then there shouldn’t be any purpose why not.”
