Parlophone Vinyl & CDs

Review: Everyone's favourite "virtual band" returns with its eighth studio album, the Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett-helmed project's first for three years. In keeping with the project's loose, collective concept, the ever-present Albarn - whose voice provides the focal point on the majority of tracks - there's an impressive cast-list of guest musicians present, with Thundercat wielding the bass on the purple funk-influenced title track, Stevie Nicks handling lead vocals on 'Oil', Beck providing a standout turn on 'Possession Island' and Bootie Brown and Tame Impala excelling on album highlight 'New Gold'. As usual, this is hooky, well-made pop that proudly dips its toe in all manner of styles and sub-genres, while sneakily avoiding the pitfalls of shamelessly radio-friendly music. Fans will love it.