Graham Coxon - Castle Park

“I don’t see the light that shines from his behind,” coos Graham Coxon sweetly on ‘Alright’. Upon first impression, the Blur guitarist may appear to have turned political satirist, sharing his take on a certain leader of the Free World. Yet, despite this lyrical prescience, this ‘new’ album, ‘Castle Park’, is actually 15 years old – recorded in 2011 alongside 2012’s abrasive, riff-heavy ‘A+E’ and originally intended as its follow-up.


The record was soon mothballed, with Graham increasingly consumed in his day job with the reformed Blur: releasing boxsets, picking up outstanding achievement awards, and enjoying endless live victory laps. Now, ‘Castle Park’ (a nostalgic reference to the Colchester haunt where Coxon whiled away his teens) is being dusted off as part of a broader reissue campaign.


‘Castle Park’ picks up where 2004’s ‘Happiness in Magazines’ and 2006’s ‘Love Travels at Illegal Speeds’ left off: a breezy, accessible, bubble-gum power pop record, albeit less indebted to Buzzcocks, with more acoustic guitar and a ’60s mod sensibility. Live favourite ‘Billy Says’ finally gets an official release; as does a rollocking cover of ‘When You Find Out’ by The Nerves (whose ‘Hanging on the Telephone’ was a hit for Blondie). ‘Mélodie Pour Christine’ is an enchanting, chamber pop instrumental with twinkling harp and strings – fresh territory for Coxon, though stylistically at odds with its siblings.


Elsewhere, there’s much to enjoy, from the cool slacker pop of ‘There’s A Little House’ to the moody, atmospheric ‘Isn’t It Funny’, and flamenco infused ‘Dripping Soul’. ‘Forget Today’ could pass for Motown, if not for Graham’s trademark childlike vocals. As he remains busy outside Blur with his duo, The WAEVE, and TV soundtracks, it’s a rare delight to hear him back in the driving seat.