Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett just expanded the Gorillaz universe once again. The iconic animated outfit released Gorillaz ‘The Mountain’, their ninth studio album and the spiritual successor to 2023’s Cracker Island. This 15-track odyssey marks a historic milestone for the band, serving as the debut release on their very own KONG label.
Gorillaz ‘The Mountain’ Bridges Continents and Eras
Recorded across the vibrant landscapes of Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajasthan, and Varanasi, as well as studios in London and Devon, the album captures a truly global essence. The band pushes linguistic boundaries, featuring performances in five different languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba.
What makes this record stand out is its ambitious guest list. Albarn successfully unites the living with the “land of the spirits.” Listeners will hear fresh contributions from modern heavyweights like Johnny Marr, Bizarrap, Idles, Sparks, and Black Thought. However, the emotional core of the album lies in the archival recordings. Posthumous appearances from late legends like Tony Allen, Bobby Womack, Dennis Hopper, Mark E. Smith, Proof (D12), and Dave Jolicoeur (De La Soul) give the record a haunting, timeless quality.
From the Studio to the Stadium
The sonic journey of the new Gorillaz album won’t stay confined to digital platforms for long. To celebrate the release, the band announced a massive run of dates across the UK and Ireland. The tour kicks off at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on March 21st, leading up to a monumental milestone: their first-ever headline stadium show at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20th.
Fans can expect a visual spectacle curated by Jamie Hewlett to match the experimental depth of the music. Whether you are diving into the Middle Eastern influences of Omar Souleyman or the sharp lyricism of Yasiin Bey, ‘The Mountain’ proves that after two decades, Gorillaz still refuse to sit still.
Stream ‘The Mountain’ now on all major platforms.