Gorillaz

[Wolkenkrabber]

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[Enjoyed]

A distinct lack of excitement for the new album, huh?

Conceptually it looks to be great! But so far, the "singles" have been pretty middling:

Will certainly be giving the album a spin when it comes out next week, but expectations are sadly quite low. Hoping for some treasures in there somewhere, and guessing it'll be the bonus disc again.

[shakermaker]

it feels like just yesterday that Cracker Island came out, but wow it was three years

I snagged tickets to Monday's album release concert in LA, excited for that!

[Bosco]

A distinct lack of excitement for the new album, huh?

Conceptually it looks to be great! But so far, the "singles" have been pretty middling:

Will certainly be giving the album a spin when it comes out next week, but expectations are sadly quite low. Hoping for some treasures in there somewhere, and guessing it'll be the bonus disc again.

Has any Gorillaz albums lived up to the first two? (I would say no)

The unwavering perfectly moody and dark underground oddity, is long gone. Damon really lucked out by getting Dan the Automator in the peak of his artistic prime, and then basically equally in Danger Mouse.

Everything post-Demon Days has been a mishmash of making things work with big-time special guests and essentially not pigeonholing the band into obscurity. Damon still sounds great when featured, and it certainly has magical moments of old... but it will never feel whole because there isn't a predominant producer to take the reigns and fulfill his/her sonic landscape.

Or is it me, maybe I'm too old?

Either way, I have an non-dependent fan-ship with Gorillaz. I still think Damon might be one of the best vocal performers from the 90's era still going, and even if I'm not into all the new material, I think he at least has interesting concepts and is constantly working with interesting guest artists. If I could afford I would probably make it out to all Gorillaz shows in my area, but nowadays they are pretty well documented on YouTube ...

Happy the project is still going, wish it could be more corralled by a brilliant producer rather than feel like some giant algorithm magnet.

[Enjoyed]

Has any Gorillaz albums lived up to the first two? (I would say no)

Plastic Beach for sure. I think I prefer it to Demon Days.

After THAT? I'd probably agree.

I like how you describe it as non-dependent fanship. I resonate with that a lot! I adore those first three albums, and certainly would call myself a fan - and regularly am listening to their music from throughout their career. But I agree, it's actually a nice state to be in where the quality of the output doesn't feel like it's make or break. Put out some good shit? Awesome! Don't? Still cool. Again, as you said, glad he's still doing interesting things with interesting people!

[shakermaker]

I thought Song Machine was really solid when it was presented as a series of unrelated singles... then it got bloated down with filler to become an album. But I agree their post-plastic-beach output has been inconsistent. I'm OK with them churning out a lot of material for the gems that surface.

The Mountain concert was a lot of fun. It was a cool way to experience a lot of the new material for the first time, and I look forward to hearing it more.

Very curious what they will play on SNL next weekend.

[Bosco]

Very curious what they will play on SNL next weekend.

I would guess at least a song from the Mountain, probably Orange County.

And then a bevy of options for the 2nd song. Things I can forsee:

• Stir shit up, invite Bad Bunny (assuming he's available), and do Tormenta
• Another Mountain track, probably The Happy Dictator
• Keep things original and stick with your mega hit, Clint Eastwood. The optics of the melodica is always a winner, and obviously so damn catchy in this particular track.
• The mega hit SNL wants them to do, Feel Good Inc.
• A poignant and cathartic moment, the self titled track Demon Days. (My choice, if I had it)

[shakermaker]

I would guess at least a song from the Mountain, probably Orange County. And then a bevy of options for the 2nd song.

Pretty much.

I dream of them doing two up-beat songs that would hit casual viewers hard, but knowing Damon he will probably pick something dreary that will lose most of the audience.

[Bosco]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/oct/22/florian-schneider-kraftwerk-equipment-to-go-on-sale-expected-to-fetch-up-to-650000

I meant to post this fun interview the other day from a couple of months ago but the forum was broken the past couple of days:

(12:53 for Florian mention)

They come off pretty excited about the album, so if the mountain might not hit your musical expectations, it's good to see how comfortable and natural they feel about it. It has me motivated to go to the record store and get a copy in the upcoming weekend...

[Enjoyed]

It has me motivated to go to the record store and get a copy in the upcoming weekend...

Yay!

[Bosco]

my "Local" record shop (2 towns over and a 30 minute drive which I haven't visited in 20 years)

Same one I purchased 'A Hundred Days Off' and Spirtiualized's 'Amazing Grace' from... 20 years ago

[shakermaker]

I like that they have producted a fully hand-drawn animation, that's dedication, and a statement in this day and age. I look forward to seeing it.

[Bosco]

Worry no more, it's a fucking GREAT non-traditional pop album.

It's not top heavy, but so beautifully The Mountain.

Recommended


Edit: And the Animated short is glorious, but be sure to listen to the album before you watch it:

The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God

[Born In Planet Dust]

The mountain is fucking gorgeous and easily in my top 5 Gorillaz albums (maybe even #3)

[Bosco]

The mountain is fucking gorgeous and easily in my top 5 Gorillaz albums (maybe even #3)

So with my first listen, the opening track absolutely sucks you in and puts you in the tone of the album... by Orange County (track 5) I was already contemplating in my mind is this among their best work. Turns out it is, the entire album is relentlessly well done.

And stating that, they should absolutely stick to The Mountain material for their SNL appearance. I'd rather they shelf The Happy Dictator because I don't think it shows the dynamic of the new material. Definitely think The Sad God would be a perfect secondary track to give people a taste of the new album.

[Enjoyed]

I went in quite excited after your positive words, Bosco, and I have to agree - it's an incredibly solid piece of work. All of the singles I previously slated worked so well in the flow the whole album. Damascus and The Manifesto in particular sounded fucking great while I was cooking dinner last night! I instantly went back to listen to them again when the album finished (these would be my votes for SNL!).

I also popped on Cracker Island afterwards, and thoroughly enjoyed that too! I think it's Damon's most "fuck-it pop-music-it-is-then!" album, and that historically has always worked for me when bands lean into it (Foals is another great example). "Don't be sad for me I'm a cartoon G And my intent is to breathe in a new world". I really like all the songs on this album, bar maybe the closer with Mr Beckintosh.

Anywho, back to The Mountain, I'm really excited to sit with it for a few weeks. It feels the strongest, conceptually, since Plastic Beach - which I also think is where Gorillaz as a band are at their best. I don't love a lot of Humanz, but it does all sit really nicely together as an album. They just seem to nail the long-form format so well, and again, it really helps to elevate individual work.

Has anyone heard any of the bonus tracks? These are another space I think Gorillaz have always excelled. Hong Kong, Opium, and The Apprentice are some of my favourite songs of theirs.

The mountain is fucking gorgeous and easily in my top 5 Gorillaz albums (maybe even #3)

[Bosco]

bar maybe the closer with Mr Beckintosh.

Rage bait