The Magic Whip is released on April 27

As Damon Albarn prepares to release his debut solo album, Everyday Robots, on Monday, and 20 years since the release of Parklife is celebrated, we delve back into the Uncut archive (July 2009, Take 146) and go behind the scenes of the sessions that produced Blur’s classic albums and reveal the conflicts that nearly destroyed the band… Interviews: Nick Hasted

Damon Albarn, who collected the Award For Innovation at the NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas last night (February 26), says Blur have recorded 15 new songs for a new album, but they won’t see the light of day for years.

Blur's Alex James has reportedly applied to use the name Britpop for a new drink.

Jamie Hewlett of Gorillaz has confirmed that he and Damon Albarn will release another Gorillaz album – but not before Blur put out their new material.

Blur's Alex James has revealed that he wants to work with Johnny Marr. Talking to the Daily Star, James – who is organising his own food and music event, The Big Feastival, from his Oxfordshire farm this weekend – said that while he wouldn't be interested in pursuing a solo career, he'd like to join Marr and Nile Rodgers in a supergroup. The former Smiths guitarist joined the Chic man onstage earlier this year at Manchester's Parklife Weekender, with Marr later hinting that the pair could continue their collaboration by entering the studio together.

Blur's Alex James has spoken out about the band's release of two new tracks, 'The Puritan' and 'Under The Westway', both of which debuted last night (July 2) via a live rooftop video streamed performance.

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has criticised local officials in London's Primrose Hill after they removed graffiti which featured lyrics from the band's 1993 hit single 'For Tomorrow' from a local footpath. The lyrics, which read "And the view's so nice", were inspired by Primrose Hill and have been present on a footpath in the London area since 2000. However, last week, they removed by cleaners, leading Rowntree to hit out.

Damon Albarn has halted work on new Blur material, producer William Orbit has told NME.

Blur mainman Damon Albarn and Portishead singer Beth Gibbons have collaborated with rapper JJ Doom on a new track for his forthcoming album 'Key To The Kuffs'.