As if Damon Albarn wasn’t already busy enough with his multiple projects and kicking Blur back into gear, he’s also found time to record a new solo album. Dr. Dee is due for release through Parlophone on 7th May.
In fitting Albarn style given his more recent concept-driven projects, Dr. Dee is, err, a concept-driven project: an album inspired by the life and times of one John Dee, "mathematician, polymath and advisor to Elizabeth I". In keeping with its Tudor source material, the album apparently sets Albarn’s vocals to early English instrumentation and choral music, as well as giving it an extra twist with modern and African sounds. Sounds like a head-spinning prospect from where we’re sitting – more news when we have it. In the meantime, watch a trailer for the album below:
Dr. Dee‘s tracklist runs as follows:
‘The Golden Dawn’
‘Apple Carts’
‘Oh Spirit Animate Us’
‘The Moon Exalted’
‘A Man of England’
‘Saturn’
‘Coronation’
‘The Marvelous Dream’
‘A Prayer’
‘Edward Kelley’
‘Preparation’
‘9 Point Star’
‘Temptation Comes In The Afternoon’
‘Watching the Fire That Waltzed Away’
‘Moon (Interlude)’
‘Cathedrals’
‘Tree Of Life’
‘The Dancing King’