Blur - The Ballad Of Darren

The Ballad Of Darren is the ninth studio album by British rock band Blur, released in July 2023 via Parlophone Records.

Blur is back with their first studio album since 2015's The Magic Whip, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr.

The album was produced by James Ford at Studio 13 in London and Devon.

Each member of the band has shared a brief commentary on the record. To Albarn, the record signifies "an aftershock, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now". Coxon added that, with age, it becomes more important "that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention". Albarn claimed the album reflects their generation but also "has enough of the modern world in it to kind of be relatable to people younger as well."

The Ballad Of Darren has been described as containing elements of lounge pop, and 70s alternative pop.

The Ballad Of Darren received critical acclaim and a score of 85 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on seventeen critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".

This album is a limited edition on blue coloured vinyl housed in a single pocket sleeve with a printed inner sleeve, pressed in Germany via Parlophone Records.