Blur has unveiled a new Merch capsule along with two innovative versions of The Magic Whip to mark the album’s 10th anniversary. Discover more details below.
New Releases for 2025
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The news of these new releases arrives a decade after the debut of the eighth studio album, a hallmark of Britpop icons, just in time for Record Store Day 2025.
Celebrating a Decade with New Vinyl
This spring will witness the original release of 2015 being reshaped into two new vinyl formats, complemented by revised artwork from the talented artist and designer Tony Hung.
The first release is set for Record Store Day on April 12, featuring a 10-year collectible with a half-paved image of Zoetrope, exclusively available at independent record stores. The second item, a 10th anniversary semi-sized golden vinyl, will be released on April 25, adorned with a new cover featuring gold foil and embossing.
The Merch Capsule, designed exclusively by Tony Hung to commemorate a decade since the release of The Magic Whip, will also debut. Like the Golden Vinyl, the merchandise will be available on April 25 and includes a T-shirt, tote bag, badge, bomber jacket, and an umbrella, all inspired by distinct visuals related to the album.
Explore independent stores for the Zoetrope vinyl and click here to pre-order the golden vinyl and the Merch Capsule.
“My cover processing was inspired by deep immersion in the texts of the album, where I found more intensity, anxiety, and a dystopian edge, all of which I wanted to reflect in this new edition,” Hung explained. “The forward, now spoiled ice cream brought a heavier tone, while the cone proposed a structure resembling a tower. The concept of an active broadcasting tower soaring above the clouds felt oppressive and threatening, setting the scene accordingly.”
The artist, who also created a video inspired by the arcade game for the album track “Ong Ong,” continued: “The final cover was conceived by contrasting the aesthetic and colors associated with ‘Lai See’ (Lucky Money) envelopes; a traditional Chinese gesture where these envelopes are gifted to loved ones on special occasions like the lunar New Year or birthdays. It perfectly aligns with our ‘magical daytime anniversary,’ where our package contains a musical gift.”
When it was released a decade ago, The Magic Whip marked the first Blur album featuring the original four members in 16 years and achieved the top spot on the UK album charts.
In a four-star review, NME praised the album for capturing a more somber and melancholic tone compared to their earlier works. “Blur has always sought to capture the essence of life and culture in their albums, and the portrayal in ‘The Magic Whip,’ unlike its brighter counterparts, often adopts a mournful monochrome,” it stated.
For those curious about other new store outlets, you can click here.
On another note, Blur recently shared with NME some insights on what lies ahead for them, particularly following their monumental Live at Wembley Stadium concert film and performance at Coachella 2024.
“We can’t stay away for too long because we’re buzzing,” remarked guitarist Graham Coxon, hinting at upcoming announcements from the group. “Creatively, there’s always something we can pursue, but it’s essential for us to live a little life, and I hope we don’t encounter anything as traumatic before we join forces again.”
“Damon (Albarn, singer) has always emphasized the need for us to live with life so that we have material to bring together if we decide to create again. If it all comes together, then there shouldn’t be any reason not to.”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/blur-announce-10th-anniversary-editions-of-the-magic-whip-and-new-merch-capsule-3835948?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blur-announce-10th-anniversary-editions-of-the-magic-whip-and-new-merch-capsule
