Popular producer James Ford apparently disclosed the fact that he’s working on a new album with Blur, months before the Britpop icons kick off their hugely anticipated comeback tour and play two shows at Wembley Stadium.
James Ford might be working with Blur
Ford, best known for his work with Arctic Monkeys and Simian Mobile Disco, appeared to confirm the new record during an interview with The New Cue, a weekly online music newsletter headed up by former staff of the music magazine Q.
“I’m in the middle of a bunch of different projects at the minute. I’m not sure how on or off the record they are, but I’m making a **** record,” said Ford when asked about his current projects.
While Blur’s name was redacted, the interview went on to not-so-subtly drop a number of Blur song titles including ‘Girls & Boys’, ‘Tender’ and ‘For Tomorrow’.
“James didn’t actually clarify if this was on or off the record but we should probably redact it as it would be a tender subject if girls and boys got news of this too early, save it for tomorrow,” wrote The New Cue.
Blur’s last album ‘The Magic Whip’ was released in 2015’s with the group remaining coy about the prospect of new music since they announced their reformation last year.
Ford previously worked with Albarn when he produced Gorillaz‘ 2018 album The Now Now. More recently, he teamed up with Blur’s Graham Coxon on the first studio record from The Waeve – his side-project with singer Rose Elinor Dougall.
Bassist Alex Jame had also discussed the possibility of new Blur music as he said the following in the last year:
“I literally never know what’s going to happen next with Damon.”
He added to BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq:
“It might be the last show, it might [lead to] a new album. It’s part of the fun of it, I literally never know what’s going to happen.”
Blur will headline Wembley Stadium on Saturday, July 8 and 9, concluding a string of live dates this summer. Support on the Saturday comes from Slowthai, Jockstrap and Self Esteem, while the Sunday sees the group flanked by Paul Weller, Ska icons The Selecter and a DJ set from snooker legend Steve Davis.
