In many ways the 21st century’s own renaissance man, it’s fitting that Damon Albarn’s latest output should concern a character who shares many of the same traits and curious thirsts as the Blur frontman. Taking inspiration from mathematician and advisor to Elizabeth I John Dee’s life, ‘Dr Dee’ is a fascinating trip through the more exploratory side of Albarn‘s mind, covering Elizabethan odes (‘The Moon Song’), folk ballads (‘The Marvelous Dream’) and African inspired instrumentals (‘Preparation’). At times, without the visual aids of the stage production, it whips from cohesive to confusing but, for the most part, ‘Dr Dee’ is a boundary-pushing triumph.

Rhian Daly