Your age will doubtless dictate the reply to the next query: is Damon Albarn that man from Blur, or that man from Gorillaz? Within the UK and Europe, his position because the frontman of the Britpop titans is unquestioned: no shock the upcoming reunion is concentrated round dates at Wembley Stadium in London and at festivals throughout the continent’s mainland.
However elsewhere, an intriguing development has emerged: Albarn’s dedication to the pop venture has remained steadfast. He’s now been spearheading Gorillaz for over twenty years, and appears pleased sufficient to tackle the rising public-facing main position as time proceeds. Tellingly, when Billie Eilish introduced him onstage for a collaboration throughout her Coachella headline set in 2022, they plumped for a canopy ‘Really feel Good Inc’, and she or he professed her love for the once-cartoon creation. He appeared sheepish, however there should be a component of vindication, too; that is no side-project, however the actual deal.
That shift would possibly go some methods to explaining ‘Cracker Island’s success. Since their 2017 comeback album ‘Humanz’, the band have dabbled in varied sounds and strategies: whether or not it’s breezy lo-fi pop (‘The Now Now’, 2018) or modern constructions (‘Track Machine: Collection One’, 2020). The electrified, internet-ready sounds they pioneered of their first act now dominate charts and streaming platforms. The band’s affect is felt in a brand new technology of musicians: Unhappy Evening Dynamite, Riovaz, Nonô, to call however a number of.
And whereas ‘Cracker Island’ doesn’t precisely ape a sound that’s proving already-popular, it does a wonderful job of reminding everybody the place a lot of the limitless pondering got here from. Gorillaz take snapshots of a various music scene – from psych-fused pop to reggaeton – and put a singular spin on it. There’s no broad idea or industry-busting roll-out, simply 10 pristine, richly satisfying tracks; no extra, no much less.
‘Cracker Island’s title monitor and ‘New Gold’ should now be thought-about alongside their greatest work: the latter enlists a catchy vocal hook from Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, whereas Thundercat’s freaky tackle funk and jazz powers the previous. The spritely runtime permits for fewer friends, however those that do seem make mighty efforts: Steve Nicks and Albarn’s vocals intertwine splendidly ‘Oil’, as does Adeleye Omotayo’s on ‘Silent Operating’, even when there’s little to distinct the manufacturing from these chasing the same ‘80s-indebted, maximalist pop sound.
Dangerous Bunny’s look proves probably the most intriguing, although. On ‘Tormenta’, the band faucet into one of many few genres they’ve but to enterprise into, fastidiously meshing their refined sound with Latin beats. Amidst the beachy tones, the Puerto Rican rapper delivers one of many extra affecting strains on a Gorillaz music: “Si el amor nunca ha sido perfecto / Ojalá y sea por siempre este momento” he sighs, admitting that whereas love is rarely excellent or straightforward, he seeks only one final second collectively.
The free narrative construction fits each artistic and listener: Albarn and his workforce seem unburdened by dwelling as much as an idea, and as an alternative flip in a constantly gratifying file that exhibits why they continue to be related to this point into their profession. A band that was as soon as thought-about mucking about on the periphery of pop at the moment are very a lot defining the current and provoking the long run. You would be doing a lot worse for album eight, eh?
Particulars
- Launch date: February 24, 2023
- Document label: Parlophone
