Think tank, released in 2003, is a fascinating pivot point for Blur. It’s their first album without founding guitarist Graham Coxon (mostly), and it finds the band moving far away from their Britpop roots. Recorded largely in Morocco, the album is heavily influenced by African music, dub, and electronic experimentation. It’s the sound of a band evolving into something completely new, shedding their old skin to see what else they could become.

The vibe is loose, atmospheric, and occasionally quite political. With Damon Albarn taking more control, the music feels more rhythmic and groove-based than their previous guitar-heavy work. There’s a wonderful sense of space in the production – it feels like you can hear the room it was recorded in. It’s an album that values texture and feel over traditional pop structures, resulting in something that feels both intimate and expansive.

“Out of time” is an absolute highlight, a beautiful and somber track that captures the mood of the early 2000s perfectly. “Good song” is a sweet, lo-fi love song, while “Crazy beat” offers a glimpse of the band’s more chaotic, energetic side. Even without Coxon’s signature guitar, the band managed to find a new kind of intensity that is just as compelling.

Think tank is an album that gets better with every listen. It’s a brave record that showed Blur weren’t content to just repeat their past successes. It feels like a precursor to much of the eclectic music we hear today, and its mix of global influences and classic songwriting makes it a really rewarding experience to go back to. It’s the sound of a band finding freedom.