Damon Albarn interview: ‘I think my life has been a bit too colourful to be quite ready for an autobiography’

More than a quarter of a century on from his days as a Britpop pin-up, Damon Albarn has since evolved into a cultural man for all seasons. Here, he holds forth on his new album, British politics, the death of his close collaborator Tony Allen, and bumping into Noel Gallagher at the Champions League final

Damon Albarn: ‘Brexit has done something terrible to the concept of coalition and people working together. It’s nailed this horrible rusty old thorn between people. I just don’t know how we’re going to pull it out.’ Picture: Linda Brownlee

In 1994, Damon Albarn and Blur created the era-defining album Parklife. Inspired by Martin Amis's London Fields and an exhilarating cocktail of the Kinks, XTC and Gary Numan, Blur's third album didn't just alter the musical landscape, but also street fashion, stirring demand for brightly coloured retro Adidas tracksuit tops and Fred Perry polo shirts.

Jarvis Cocker of Pulp was a quirky dandy resplendent in charity shop clothes. Brett Anderson of Suede purveyed a more ...