RIP Blur?

Despite a previous split in 2003 and subsequent reunion some years later, Damon Albarn has suggested to the UK’s The Guardian that Blur “in all likelihood” are officially done.

When asked if  future Blur records could be expected, Albarn reportedly replied, “No, I don’t think so,” and added: “I find it very easy to record with Graham [Coxon]. He’s a daily musician. With the other two, it’s harder for them to reconnect. You know what I mean? It’s fine when we play live – it’s really magical still – but actually recording new stuff, and swapping musical influences… it’s quite difficult.”

The hugely successful, 23-year-old Brit Pop band are scheduled to perform in Hyde Park this summer but beyond that, Albarn has said he doesn’t think there will be any more shows.

Albarn formed Blur in 1989 with college friends Alex James, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree. The foursome earned immediate radio play and critical acclaim with singles, She’s So High, There’s No Other Way and Bang from their 1991 debut Leisure, then continued to dominate the explosive Brit Pop scene from 1992-1995 with LP’s, Modern Life is Rubbish, Parklife and The Great Escape.

Adding to the bad news, Albarn reported that a rift between himself and Gorillaz co-founder Jamie Hewlett has also resulted in the disbanding of the virtual group, originally formed back in 1998. “I think we were at cross purposes somewhat on that last record, which is a shame,” he said. “So until a time comes when that knot has been untied…”

Gorillaz released four studio albums between 2001-2010. The Fall, released in December 2010, made headlines for being almost entirely recorded on an iPad. The group released five other collections/compilations to round out their discography including, G-Sides, D-Sides and an exclusive Gorillaz: iTunes Session.