It's been relatively "tabloid" for a couple of years. In fact I go as far to say that the majority of publications (including The Times, the NYT, and other highbrow broadsheets) have gone down this route. Journalism seems to think it's voice is the only voice we should listen too, trouble is, it rarely knows what it's talking about.
In their defense this is coming from their blog section, which I'd guess is not as scrutinized when it comes to editorial control compared to the printed version. I've been one of their readers for seven or so years, if you avoid their leaders (which I do) and if you read the section editorials with prior knowledge of the editorialist's way of thinking, then things are more than ok.
Now, whenever I happen to read the NYTimes I'm reminded of my grand-father's advice given to me ~20 years ago: "Whatever you do, paganel, always read the newspaper edited/printed by those in power, this way you'll always know where the world is heading to". He had been a Communist mayor from a small Eastern-European village, and I have this image of him always making some time in the evening for reading the local Communist propaganda newspaper.
I wouldn't go so far as to say the Economist rarely knows what it is talking about. I'm a subscriber, and I thought I don't support all of its views, I think it is still a very intelligent and thoughtful publication. If you're not a subscriber, maybe you try it out for a while in earnest before making an assessment.
