Cracker Island

Gorillaz

explicit

Released on 24/02/2023 by Parlophone UK
Main artists: Gorillaz
Genre: Alternative & Indie

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More than two decades after the release of their hit song "Clint Eastwood," who ever would've guessed that Gorillaz would be going strong in 2023? A "cartoon" band created by Damon Albarn and cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, with a revolving door of other contributors, it originally seemed like a way for Albarn to control his own destiny as Blur foundered. But here we are, seven albums later (and with Blur on a reunion stint, to boot). The loose theme this time around is life in a cult; from one POV, it seems to be referencing the metaverse, which is pretty tongue-in-cheek for a band featuring the cartoon avatars of its human members. "They taught themselves to be occult/ Join the collective in the sky ... And on a shining bolt of light/ Go up to paradise/ Where the truth is auto-tuned," goes the title track, featuring funky bassist Thundercat, whose smooth, booming grooves act like an ocean wave, carrying Albarn's playful melody. There's both a tropical ease and the annoying-gnat sound of a chatty TikTok-like voice in the background of "The Tired Influencer" ("Logic kills and Silver Lake reflections/ Just trying to keep my head up/ Nothing real anymore"). As usual, there is a who's who of guest stars, some of which work better than others. Duet partner Stevie Nicks' honeyed rasp—now as much leather as lace—is an odd fit with Albarn's retiring style on "Oil," which boasts a Catalina-cruise melody and crisp, sun-bright beats. Beck is wasted and little more than a muted tone shadowing Albarn on the nostalgic lullaby "Possession Island." But energetic "New Gold" is a fun showcase for rapper Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde, who takes the verses while Albarn and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker coo in between. Good luck getting Parker's butter-smooth loop ("But in the magic cove, there's a pretty one/ I ask her where it goes 'cause I really want") out of your head any time soon. Adeleye Omotayo of Gorillaz' Humanz Choir lends his rich, soulful style to "Silent Running." Bad Bunny gets the best star turn here, though, with the reggaeton-inflected "Tormenta," sure to set hips swaying and heads nodding. And Albarn gets his own moments of greatness on tracks like the vibrant "Tarantula," turning up the melancholy to seemingly look for the past, and the awesome track "Skinny Ape." That song starts out Simon & Garfunkel-like before taking a funky world-beat turn—which, naturally, erupts in a spurt of Vampire Weekend energy at the bridge. "Don't be sad for me/ I'm a cartoon G/ And my intent is to breathe/ In a new world, don't be sad for me," sings Albarn's character 2-D, provoking thoughts of sentience in an AI world. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz

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Cracker Island

Gorillaz

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Cracker Island (feat. Thundercat)