The forthcoming new song from Blur is an “absolutely wonderful summer tune”, according to their record label’s president.

The as-yet-untitled track, which marks the band’s first new material in eight years, is released on April 17 as part of Record Store Day.

It is limited to 1000 copies and will be available exclusively from independent record shops.

Parlophone Records president Miles Leonard told BBC 6 Music Blur sounded “competent and strong” on the song.

He described singer Damon Albarn’s lyrics as “poignant as ever”, and said they included “personal comment and social comment”.

He also praised guitarist Graham Coxon’s “simplistic and easy” guitar lines and bassist Alex James’s “very groove-based” playing.

Leonard added that he was hopeful that the release would inspire the band to record more new material.

“I just hope that from hearing a song like this that the band feel there’s more in them," he added.

"We certainly do as a label and I’m sure when fans hear this they’ll think the same.”

As previously reported, Parlophone are releasing 12 limited edition 7" singles as part of Record Store Day.

(by Jason Gregory)