Damon Albarn has heaped praise “talented” Alex Turner for the work on Arctic Monkeys’ new album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.

Albarn, who himself as been busy away working on new records for both Gorillaz and The Good, The Bad & The Queen, has been reacting to the popularity of Arctic Monkeys’ newest piece of work. With producer James Ford acting the link between both Gorillaz and Monkeys, Albarn admitted that the work of the Sheffield band has caught his attention: “I’ve only listened to bits to it, but I think it’s very interesting,” the Blur man said while in the studio with Radio X.

“I do think he’s a very talented chap,” he added in conversation about Alex Turner. “It annoys me to say that because I don’t like paying compliments to anyone, but it has to be said!”