"Mr. Tembo" & "Lonely Press Play" - Damon Albarn on Jimmy Kimmel at SXSW 3.12.2014 [YouTube Videos]

Last night, Damon Albarn (the genius behind Blur and The Gorillaz) performed a couple songs for Jimmy Kimmel Live in Austin Texas for SXSW. Check out the videos, via YouTube:

Damon Albarn "Mr. Tembo" on Jimmy Kimmel 3.12.2014

Damon Albarn "Lonely Press Play" on Jimmy Kimmel 3.12.2014

Albarn came with a pretty big band, including a gospel choir and a string section. "Mr. Tembo" features mandolin and the choir pretty prominently. The song is about an elephant, according to a YouTube comment. It's a sunny pop rock tune, and toward the end Albarn and the band let loose with some energy. There's a burst of Pete Townshend energy, as Albarn jumps as he plays a guitar chord. This is a debut of sorts for the song, and it seems unfinished. It will be interesting to see how it sounds once it gets the proper studio treatment.

"Lonely Press Play" incorporates elements of reggae and R&B, while staying true to Albarn's style as a British singer-songwriter. In his crooning, you can hear traces of Morrissey and The Smiths style of somber alternative rock. The song is about the comforting power of music, and at the end Albarn drives that point home. You can watch the official music video for "Lonely Press Play" right here on Zumic.

Albarn's upcoming album Everyday Robots is due out on April 29th. It is his first album as a solo artist. You can pre-order at Amazon.

For Damon Albarn's latest music, news, and tour dates, check out his Zumic artist page.

Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live YouTube