Brow Beat

In advance of their big performance at the Summer Olympics closing ceremonies in London next month, Britpop icons Blur have put out two new songs, "Under the Westway" and "The Puritan." They have also put out two very simple videos, seemingly designed to help everyone learn the words before the big Hyde Park concert in August.

"Under the Westway" is a brooding tune that seems to be partly about a section of the A40 highway in London. "The Puritan" is bouncier, but lyrically an even more serious outing: "Are we institutionalized by the demands of today," the song asks with it very first line. It sounds more fun with the beat behind it.