Pitchfork: Blur's Future in Jeopardy

So it's come to this. Despite the recent release of his new Gorillaz album, Demon Days, Blur frontman Damon Albarn is still in a slump over bandmate Graham Coxon's departure. All attempts to coax Coxon into making a return and taking part in the creation of a new Blur record have seemingly failed, but Albarn refuses to give up.

Speaking to BBC Radio 1, Albarn said, "I grew up with Graham and it's really confusing when you grow apart from someone who you grew up with. I've only got a sister so I did consider him for many years to be like my brother and it's a real shame that there�s been such a breakdown in communication. But as far as playing again live I cant play any other stuff that he worked [on] without him. I feel that there's a horrible hole in the sound if he's not there and obviously if we could get back or move forward to a time when everyone felt comfortable again...I don't quite understand why there's such a tension because when we actually meet in a room together, all of us, we all get on fine."

Coxon left Blur in 2002 as the result of arguments within the band. Since then, he has been gaining popularity as a solo artist, with several albums under his belt. Albarn will being touring Gorillaz in support of the new album. He will also be presenting music from his label, Honest Jons, on board the London Eye on June 21.

But as far as Blur are concerned, well...we'll just have to wait and see. With as much as work as Coxon and Albarn have released separately in the last few years, it appears the think tank has yet to run dry.