It’s been less than a year since Damon Albarn and his virtual band Gorillaz have released any new music. Meanwhile was released last August after Albarn and co. presented 3 new tracks at a free concert at London’s O2 arena exclusively to an audience of NHS workers to show gratitude for their work during the pandemic. But, since the beginning of the project – “don’t let them know your next move” – seems to have been the mantra in mind. That being said, mid-way through an extensive world tour… we have the promise of new music and a new single to boot. Listen to the new collaboration ‘New Gold’ with Tame Impala and Bootie Brown below.
The new single comes with the arguably more interesting prospect of a full new Gorillaz album. The band’s 10th LP Cracker Island is set for release on February 24th and will feature the likes of Thundercat, Stevie Nicks, Adeleye Omotayo, Bad Bunny, and Beck. You can look into full pre-order information, as well as the tracklist here. The album will feature the recently released Thundercat featured track ‘Cracker Island’ after it debuted earlier in the year.
Introducing Cracker Island
THE NEW ALBUM
Out February 2023
Pre-order now https://t.co/CkN1CrFP8k@Thundercat @StevieNicks #AdeleyeOmotayo @tameimpala @bootiebrown @sanbenito @beck #crackerisland pic.twitter.com/f1UH8DG38B
— gorillaz (@gorillaz) August 31, 2022
The album comes ahead of the rumoured “Full-length Gorillaz film” we were promised by Albarn at the tail end of last year. In a conversation with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Albarn explained, “It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a very long time. It’s been through so many incarnations. Gorillaz doing a movie. Honestly. But Netflix, I don’t know. I mean, apart from the kind of running this city now, I mean – It’s just extraordinary to see how ubiquitous they are now. Yeah. They just seem like they’re a good creative team, you know? But I can’t say anything more about it, obviously, because… No, no, no.” So, with very little information revealed on the subject being revealed since… could this be the start? Or maybe just something else entirely.
Two weeks ago, saw Gorillaz play their only UK gig this year at London’s All Points East Festival. The group saw themselves topping a line-up consisting of Self Esteem, Pusha T, Idles, and Turnstile. During their set, the band performed their new single with Tame Impala as well as the usual suspects when it comes to a Gorillaz setlist – including a rare appearance from Shaun Ryder for their 2005 single ‘DARE’.
