We’re going from an uncategorizable band at #22 to an ultimately categorizable one here at #21 in Blur, the undisputed kings of modern Brit pop (if you Oasis fans haven’t yet given up, there’s no time like the present). It’s pretty amazing that a band can break up due to infighting between the lead guitarist and principle songwriter in the middle of recording an album (2003’s Think Tank, their last album) and then reunite and put out a new album 12 years later that sounds as if they never took a break. But that’s exactly what Blur has done.

Now, this isn’t their best album. Not by far. But compared to what else has been released in 2015, this is a great album in its own right. I first talked about The Magic Whip here back in June, when they released the video for “Ong Ong.” I think the “Ong Ong” video is far superior to the video above, for the song “Lonesome Street,” but I like to offer up a variety of musical sights and sounds to the handful of you that are actually paying attention.

If you’ve liked Blur in the past, get this album now. If you’ve liked Gorillaz, The Good The Bad and the Queen, or solo Damon Albarn, you will like this album. If you’re a fan of solid Brit pop, this album is for you. Do it. Now.

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22. Savage Hills Ballroom by Youth Lagoon
23. Not Real by Stealing Sheep
24. Beat the Champ by The Mountain Goats
25. Gliss Riffer by Dan Deacon
26. Dark Bird is Home by The Tallest Man on Earth
27. Gunnera by Pfarmers
28. Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair by Ricked Wickey
29. To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
30. Live in Seattle by Moufang / Czamanski
31. High by Royal Headache

What is the Bacon Top 31?
Past years’ Top 31s