BRITPOP legends Blur are back with their first album since 2003 – and it’s a cracker.

The four-piece indie group has come a long way since those heady days in the '90s when they squared up with Oasis in the most fearsome chart battle of the era.

Thumping anthems of old like Girls and Boys, Parklife, Country House as well as the slower and more thoughtful Tender and This is a Low rightly took the world by storm.

And Think Tank too, more mature and sensitive, demonstrated again Blur’s brilliance – that ability to move a listener with the mere flick of a guitar string all too rare in everything else that dominates the modern chart scene.

But it had appeared to be farewell. It was the first release without Graham Coxon - and Damon Albarn was immersed in his side project Gorillaz. The era of Cool Britannia was over.

Bournemouth’s favourite son Alex James had even moved to a farm and was making cheese. Re-hashed greatest hits albums and a reunion tour or two seemed the best we could hope for.

However, with The Magic Whip, Blur has emphatically proved it is not just Britpop nemesis Noel Gallagher that has a place in today’s musical climate.

Any fan nervous that the tides of time may have stunted the group’s creativity can breathe easy.

Opener Lonesome Street is a bouncing number that is a nod to those defining '90s days, while Go Out and I Broadcast lend themselves more to Albarn's Gorillaz work, but with enough familiarity for you to be in no doubt this is still Blur.

Those in favour of a sing-along will be hooked on Ong Ong, a catchy, la-la-la laden ditty that has distinct resemblances to The Beatles' Obla Di Obla Da - only far better.

Although provided with an eclectic mix of songs, fans who have missed Albarn, Coxon, James and Dave Rowntree over the last 12 years will definitely be able to say 'Blur are back'. But not only are they back, they are as good and original as ever.