Blur frontman Damon Albarn wrote most of the lyrics on the band's forthcoming album, The Magic Whip, while in Asia. He also wrote one track, called "There Are Too Many of Us," in Australia on the same day a lone gunman held as many as 17 people hostage at the Lindt cafe in Sydney, Australia last year.
"I was there the day they had the hostage situation in the chocolate shop, which was an extraordinary thing to witness," Albarn tells NME. "I was staying in a hotel where I could literally see what was going on outside and watch it on television. I’ve never been in that position before, and as a songwriter that was a very interesting standpoint to have."
Blur announced the release of The Magic Whip, their first album since 2003's Think Tank, out of nowhere earlier this month. The band also announced that they would be playing London's British Summer Time Hyde Park festival in June. The album's first single, "Go Out," is streaming on YouTube now.
The Magic Whip will be released on April 28.
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