On November 12, 2021, “Transgressive” label released “The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows”, the second Damon Albarn studio album. It was recorded in 2021, at “Studio 13” in London, “Staðahverfi” in Reykjavík, “Studio 13” in Devon, and was produced by Damon Albarn.

Personnel:

• Damon Albarn – acoustic guitar, Elka Space Organ, piano, Wurlitzer, bass guitar, Hammond S100, monochord, drums, Farfisa organ, harmonium, bells, slate marimba, Rhodes Chroma, iPad strings
• Simon Tong – acoustic and electric guitar, drums
• Mike Smith – Elka Space Organ, harmonium, saxophone, Farfisa
• Samuel Egglenton – bass guitar, drum programming
• Caimin Gilmore – double bass
• Laura Nygren – double bass
• Sigrún Jónsdóttir – trombone
• Sigrún Kristbjörg Jónsdóttir – trombone
• Carol Jarvis – bass trombone
• Bergrún Snæbjörnsdóttir – French horn
• Romain Bly – French horn, slate marimba
• Rakel Björn Helgadóttir – French horn
• André de Ridder – violin
• Alexina Hawkins – viola
• Josephine Stephenson – vocals, cello
• Einar Örn Benediktsson – a Snapchat
• Árni Benediktsson – field recordings
• Samuel Egglenton – engineer, additional production
• Stephen Sedgwick – mixing
• John Davis – mastering
• OK-RM – design, art direction
• Márton Perlaki – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Damon Albarn and Simon Tong, except where noted.

1. The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows – Damon Albarn, André de Ridder, Simon Tong
2. The Cormorant
3. Royal Morning Blue
4. Combustion – Damon Albarn, Mike Smith, Simon Tong
5. Daft Wader
6. Darkness to Light
7. Esja – Damon Albarn, André de Ridder, Simon Tong
8. The Tower of Montevideo – Damon Albarn, Mike Smith, Simon Tong
9. Giraffe Trumpet Sea – Damon Albarn
10. Polaris – Damon Albarn, Mike Smith, Simon Tong
11. Particles – Damon Albarn