Blur seemed to move further and further away from Britpop with their last few albums. 13 saw the band breakup with longtime producer, Stephen Street, and enlist electronic producer William Orbit. The album also marked the breakup of Damon Albarn and his longtime girlfriend, Justine Frischmann of Elastica. The group continued to expand their musical horizons with Albarn heading towards a more electronic sound and guitarist Graham Coxon push hard for a more punk rock sound. There's the rave up of "B.L.U.R.E.M.I." and glam pop to be found in "Swamp Song" and "Bugman." The saddest moments of the album seem to standout as the best as they skilfully mix acoustic and electronic elements while hinting at the work Albran would explore on his own. 13 is the sound of a band letting go, getting deep into their own individual worlds. I lost a lot more than my girl to the Rolling Stones.

• 180 gram pressing
• includes free download
• music label: Food 1999 / 2012

reviewed by Hank Ohs 02/2015