Everything you need to know about the virtual band’s new album.
After almost six years away from the music spotlight, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s virtual band Gorillaz are gearing up to own 2017 with a slate of brand new material.
Their last album, ‘The Fall’, was released in 2010 –nine months after their third one, the critically acclaimed, ‘Plastic Beach’. However, details about the new album are still sketchy, but ‘band members’ Noodles, Murdoc, 2D and Russel are definitely up to something – so here’s everything we know so far about the new Gorillaz album.
When is the new album going to be released?
After reporting that “2016 is going to be Gorillaz all year”, Jamie Hewlett backtracked and reported that the album will have a release date somewhere in 2017. In an Instagram post by a fan who met Jamie, it was claimed that Hewlett said the album is “really fuckin special” but “can’t be rushed”. That comment was made in June 2016.
A month later (July), Albarn gave a further update by saying “Later in the year we’ll be starting to get the whole Gorillaz thing together,” he continued, “I’m loving it and it’s getting there. It should be ready fairly soon.”
On September 20, Gorillaz’ social media accounts began updating with their first bit of activity in months. The updates celebrated Gorillaz’ history by posting some retrospective clips and images. In October, the group began posting brand new content, with a flurry of Twitter and Instagram activity, resulting in ‘The Book Of Noodle’ which appears to be detailing the going-ons for the fictional characters. Since, they’ve released accompanying books for each character via social media, but no official word on a release date yet.
With the release of the latest song, “Hallelujah Money”, it’s safe to say that it’s fairly soon. However, judging by recent comments from Murdoc, they could still be recording: “The new album’s not gonna write itself” he said in January.
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What can we expect from the new Gorillaz album?
Albarn has remained tight-lipped about the specific sound of the album but in an interview with Rolling Stone, he suggested it could take a detour from the piano-led ballads on his debut solo album ‘Everyday Robots’.
“I’m in the very early days on a new Gorillaz record. So far, it’s really fast, and it’s got quite a lot of energy. I’ve been stuck on piano, somewhere off Broadway, for years now. I want to go somewhere completely opposite of that.”
The new album will feature Chicago rapper Vic Mensa, frequent collaborator rap-trio De La Soul, and Snoop Dogg.
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