Blur announce 10th anniversary editions of ‘The Magic Whip’ and new merch capsule
Blur have announced a new merch capsule and two new versions of ‘The Magic Whip’ to celebrate the album’s 10th anniversary. Find the details below.
News of the new releases come a decade on from the release of the chart-topping eighth studio album from the Britpop icons, and will arrive in time for Record Store Day 2025.
Following on from the 2015 original release, this spring will see the band reshare the album in two new vinyl formats, along with new, updated artwork from artist and designer Tony Hung.
The first is set to arrive on Record Store Day (April 12), and will be a 10th Anniversary Edition Half-Speed Mastered Zoetrope Picture Disc, available exclusively in independent record stores. The second is a 10th Anniversary Half-Speed Mastered Gold Vinyl, arriving on April 25. This comes with new cover art that features gold foil and embossing.
As for the merch capsule, the release will see a new five-piece collection designed by Tony Hung, crafted exclusively to celebrate a decade since ‘The Magic Whip’s release. Like the Gold vinyl, the merch will also drop on April 25 and will feature a T-shirt, tote, badge, bomber jacket and umbrella all inspired by the distinctive album artwork.
Check out independent record stores for the Zoetrope Picture Disc, and visit here to pre-order the gold vinyl and merch capsule.
“My reworking of the cover art was inspired by a deep dive into the album’s lyrics where I found more intensity, anxiety and a dystopian edge, all of which I wanted to convey in this new edition,” said Hung. “Upturned, the now spoiled ice cream brought a heavier tone, whilst the cone suggested a tower-like structure. The idea of an active broadcast tower, soaring above the clouds felt oppressive and menacing, suitably setting the scene.”
The artist, who is also behind the arcade-game-inspired video for album track ‘Ong Ong’, added: “The final cover art was achieved by juxtaposing the above with the vibrant aesthetic and colours associated with ‘lai see’ (lucky money) envelopes; a traditional Chinese gesture, where said envelopes (containing money) are gifted to loved ones during special occasions such as the lunar new year, birthdays, anniversaries etc. Perfectly befitting ‘The Magic Whip’s 10th anniversary, wherein our package contains the gift of music.”
When it was first shared 10 years ago, ‘The Magic Whip’ marked the first Blur album with the original four-piece in 16 years, and went on to reach the Number One spot on the UK Album Charts.
In a four-star review, NME praised the record for capturing a more sombre and melancholic tone to their previous releases. “Blur have always striven to make their albums era-defining snapshots of life and culture, and ‘The Magic Whip’’s portrait, in contrast with its garish artwork, is often a mournful monochrome,” it read.
You can visit here to find all other new Record Store Day 2025 releases.
As for Blur, the band recently opened up to NME about what the future has in store for them – particularly after their huge Live At Wembley Stadium concert film and their set at Coachella 2024.
“We can’t leave it too long because we’re knocking on,” guitarist Graham Coxon said, looking at upcoming announcements from the band. “Creatively, we’ll always be able to do something, but it’s important that we live life for a bit and hopefully not go through something so traumatic before getting back together again.
“Damon’s [Albarn, singer] always said too that we need to live life so we have something we can bring together if we’re ever going to do anything again. If that all happens, then there shouldn’t be any reason why not.”
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Liberty Dunworth
NME
