Saturday Stream | Exploring Damon Albarn

This week reformed Britpop band Blur released The Magic Whip, their first album featuring all four founding members since 1999’s 13 and their first set of new material since 2003’s Think Tank,  while also making their first appearance on U.S. television in 15 years. Headed by multi-instrumentalist and lead singer Damon Albarn, the band became a springboard for the frontman to branch out into other musical endeavors during Blur’s hiatus. Albarn stayed busy over the past decade-plus recording, producing and forming several bands and albums. 



The mastermind behind Gorillaz, last year Albarn released his first proper solo album, Everyday Robots to add to his impressive discography developed over his career. His other collaborations include supergroups The Good, The Bad & The Queen (featuring producer Danger Mouse, The Verve’s Simon Tong, The Clash’s Paul Simonon and afrobeat drummer Tony Allen) and Rocket Juice & The Moon (featuring Albarn, Allen and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea) as well as his production work, international projects, film compositions and guest appearances on other artists’ recordings. 

The 25-song playlist below features tracks culled from throughout Albarn’s recording career dating back to his early days in Blur and continuing through Everyday Robots and The Magic Whip. Frequent Albarn collaborators Bobby Womack and Tony Allen are prominently featured on the playlist clocking in at one hour and 45 minutes.