Magical New Blur Dates

Although The Magic Whip isn’t due out until April 27, you can check it out now on iTunes, where it’s been streaming all week.

Frontman Damon Albarn has described the album’s style as similar to the tunes David Bowie came up with during his Berlin period, according to The Guardian. Albarn & Co. starting working on the album in Hong Kong after a canceled show in Japan. The city ended up inspiring the release.

“There’s nothing pastoral about it – it’s very urban,” Albarn said.

The Aussie outing takes place in late July, following a string of European festival appearances including Isle Of Wight in Wales and Super Bock Super Rock Festival in Lisbon.

Here’s the plan Down Under:

July 25 – Darling Harbour,Qantas Credit Union Arena        
July 26 – Bankstown, North Byron Parklands (Splendour In The Grass)     
June 28 – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena        
July 30 – Perth, Perth Arena

Splendour In The Grass is on sale now. Tickets for the rest of the dates go on sale May 1. For more information click here for Blur’s Facebook page.