In a recent NME interview, Graham Coxon basically shat all over Damon Albarn, and essentially called Blur immature and boyish. Coxon maintains that he's thoroughly over Blur and has moved on. From where I sit, it's also pretty obvious that he was a large part of the talent driving that band, as their lone record without him, Think Tank, tanked horribly. Blur are desperate to get him back in the fold, but he's not biting.

And nor should he! His latest album, Love Travels At Illegal Speeds, the follow up to Happiness in Magazines is another gem, with songs as catchy as anything Blur ever did. Most of the album is upbeat, punky guitar numbers, but songs like "Just a state of mind" echo some of the more meandering moments of Blur (see: "Badhead" from Parklife).

Following on from the genius "Freakin' Out" off Magazines, the songs here have a rollicking energy and a more mature pop sensibility. The production has also taken another notch upwards, and wide radio play (at least in the UK) has got to be in his future. And, I say punky in the most traditional sense of the word - The Sex Pistols are probably one of the major touchstones on this album: "Gimme Some Love", "I Can't Look At Your Skin", "I Don't Wanna Go Out". He draws in some mod influences on "You Always Let Me Down", and unleashes some delicious radio-pop with "Tell It Like It Is" and "Standing On My Own". And of course, there's the requisite set of downtempo numbers, all of which have a sophistication and melodic content that former 'rival' Noel Gallagher would kill to have on his failing band's latest album.

Seems to me that Coxon knew just when to jump ship on the aging Britpop monsters - and if these past few albums are any indication, he's definitely on the right track. Highly recommended.

Again, for a limited time, here's a couple of tracks to whet your appetite. To be released March 13 on Parlophone.

Graham Coxon - Standing On My Own

Graham Coxon - Flights In The Sea (Lovely Rain)