Song of the Week: Blur Return with the Sophisticated Odyssey “The Narcissist”

Jonah Krueger

May 19, 2023 at 4:31 PM·4 min read

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The post Song of the Week: Blur Return with the Sophisticated Odyssey “The Narcissist” appeared first on Consequence.

Song of the Week delves into the fresh songs we just can’t get out of our heads. Find these tracks and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist, and for our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Blur show no signs of rust on “The Narcissist.”

The last time we heard from Britpop legends Blur was in 2015. The band had just made their long-awaited comeback with The Magic Whip, their first record in 12 years, and were showcasing an increasingly contemplative, wandering, outright strange vision of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree’s artsy pop rock. Now, with nearly another decade lost to time, the band once again returns, doubling down on the self-assured, meditative “The Narcissist.”

Gone is the tongue-in-cheek explosiveness of “Song 2” or the disco-rocking grooves of “Girls and Boys” that brought them to the top of the charts in the ‘90s. Instead, “The Narcissist” seamlessly picks up where the previous two LPs left off – an impressive feat considering Think Tank celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this month.

The tune is an odyssey that builds but never implodes. Albarn guides the listener through a soundscape of indie guitars, harmonized backing vocals, and a mix of programmed and live drums, and each time you think they’re about to kick on the fuzz and let it rip, they pull back, exhibiting the maturity that comes with decades of songwriting.

Time will tell if the rest of Blur’s upcoming record, The Ballad of Darren, will continue to embrace such restrained songwriting, or if “The Narcissist” is merely a red herring. But for now, Blur has yet again proven that no matter how much time they take between releases, their songs don’t suffer one bit.

— Jonah Krueger

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Honorable Mentions:

Sailor Honeymoon – “Cockroach”

Rough around the edges, perfectly scuzzy, and endlessly fun, Sailor Honeymoon’s “Cockroach” is one of the most exciting, fully-realized debut indie rock singles to come out in a good while. Just two minutes and change, the song swings between a fuzzed-out, melodic chorus and a sparse, cheeky spoken-word verse. The result is a tune that’s worth having on repeat until whatever the Korean rockers serve up next. — J.K.

Maggie Miles – “BeNice”

Rising alt-pop artist Maggie Miles infuses an edge into her music that pushes hazy pop into a slightly more grounded, accessible space. The cut off her 2023 project, The Lack Thereof, features a dreamy chorus against the backdrop of her lyrical pleas to the listener. Her request is simple, but important — “Be nice.” — Mary Siroky

Liza Anne – “Cheerleader”

Liza Anne’s first single since coming out as gay and nonbinary makes a splash. “I could be your spotlight/ You’re a disco ball, shining so bright/ Show me your bad side,” they sing on the upbeat track that incorporates marching band drums and playful melodies. The rising alt-rock artist has built an audience through their bracingly honest lyrics over the years, but keep an eye out for them on tour with Alex Lahey this spring and summer. Of the song, Liza Anne shares: “Queerness is so beautiful, I feel like I am home. I am so happy to be here.” That beauty is certainly reflected in the new track. — M. Siroky

aja monet – “why my love?”

This blend of poetry and music from aja monet is a powerful, entrancing track unlike anything else on your playlist this week. Just under five minutes, the latest from the surrealist blues artist is deeply honest, immersive, and potent. Over tender piano from Samora’s Pinderhughes, monet asks questions that hook the listener and refuse to let go. (Plus, the visualizer for the piece was directed by monet herself.) Keep an eye out for more from the artist when a full album, when the poems do what they do, arrives in June. — M. Siroky

Son Tung M-TP -“MAKING MY WAY”

One of the biggest names in Vietnam recently dropped this pulsing R&B track, and the response has been enormous. For anyone new to the artist, or music out of Vietnam, it feels like a good entry point; the artist is a household name domestically, but this release sees him breaking into the global market, too. Blending hip-hop, EDM, and characteristically smooth vocals, Son Tung M-TP is one to watch. — M. Siroky

Julie Byrne – “The Greater Wings”

Back in April, Julie Byrne announced her first new album in six years. The folk singer has returned with the album’s title track, “The Greater Wings,” Byrne’s personal love letter to her chosen family. She reflects on trauma and grief and attempts to rise above. The follow up to her synth-driven first single, “Summer Glass,” is much more subtle and melancholic. Byrne shreds the acoustic guitar and incorporates subtle string elements that pair well with her soothing vocals. With “The Greater Wings,” Byrne aims to honors her loved ones through shared memories. — Sun Noor