The Narcissist
The Narcissist is the sixth track and the first single release off of Blur's ninth studio album The Ballad of Darren, It is also the thirty-third single to be released by Blur. It would be released on May 18th, 2023. The song peaked at #81 on the UK singles charts, and #7 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart.
History
After an eight-year hiatus, "The Narcissist" was the first new material to be released by Blur since The Magic Whip. "The Narcissist" was demoed late into the album production, in which James Ford says it "suddenly turned into something". From there, it would be fully recorded, and released alongside the announcement of The Ballad of Darren. Damon would state:
| “ | It is about the addiction with image, which...we see ourselves in the way... We live in a world where there are many kinds of filters to see yourself through. It's that kind of addiction. | „ |
"The Narcissist" has been played throughout 2023.
Release and reception
The Narcissist would be released on the 18th of May 2023, The song would also be released with an official visualizer, directed by Frons Schiedon. The song peaked at #81 on the UK singles chart.
- Alexis Petridis from The Guardian gave the song a 4/5-star rating: "It boasts an impressive sense of ease."
- Christopher Jackson from City A.M praised the song quoting: "For one thing, your summer suddenly has it's soundtrack."
- Justin Curto from Vulture also praised the song with the quote "It's easygoing by Blur standards, a semisweet, last-call ready arena-pop song."
Trivia
- The drum machine at the beginning is the same drum machine used on Last Living Souls - that being the Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-2L.
- This would be their first Top 10 hit since "Song 2" in the US.
Credits
- Damon Albarn – lead vocals, keyboards
- Graham Coxon – electric guitar, backing vocals
- Alex James – bass guitar
- Dave Rowntree – drums, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- James Ford – producer, keyboards
- Samuel Egglenton – engineer
- Matt Colton – mastering
- David Wrench - mixing
