It has been almost seven years since “The Fall,” as we finally got new Gorillaz music. As they released their fifth album “Humanz,” on April 28th. Something we are really glad as we missed the animated band and their characteristic sound.
2D, Murdock, Noodles and Russel are back. As they announced through their social media accounts back on December, slowly revealing the new album. It has a new sound, and even the band members have a new aesthetics. But what else is new on “Humanz”?
New awaited sound
New Gorillaz means a new sound, as this album really explores some new musical styles. Going with a more hip-hop upbeat vibe and beat. Albarn himself has described the album as “different, dark, and faster” and with a “party and club record” feel. Also, Albarn said, “I’m determined that my next record will be very upbeat, and I will try to set myself the benchmark of 125 bpm and nothing underneath that.” Trying to pair with “Demon Days” and “The Fall.”
The album came out from a lot of speculation. Since internet rumors, on 2011, said that Albarn and Hewlett had split up. The idea got reinforced in April of 2012, Damon Albarn said that Gorillaz was “unlikely” to release new music, as supposedly Hewlett was discomforted that his animation had become less important and central to the band’s concept.
In June 2013, Jamie Hewlett said that there was still hope. “I believe there is a future for the Gorillaz. But Gorillaz is quite a complicated and expensive thing to produce. So, I think we need to wait a little bit to see what happens because usually in the music industry everything changes.” Also, while releasing “Everyday Robots,” on 2014 that he was “in the process of reactivating Gorillaz for a 2016 release.”
Then in 2015, Hewlett posted on Instagram new drawings of the fictional band members, adding “Yes, Gorillaz Returns.” On the same year, after Albarn’s band Blur released “The Magic Whip,” he said before going on tour that “I’m starting recording in September for a new Gorillaz record.”
The concept and upcoming things
Albarn reinforced the idea that the whole idea behind the album was change. “The album kind of came from this dark fantasy. Just imagine, the weirdest, most unpredictable thing that changes everything in the world. How would you feel on that night? Would you go and get drunk? Would you stay at home? Just watch TV? Would you talk to people?” Something that by watching their new videos and listening to songs like “Ascension,” “We Got The Power,” and “Saturnz Barz” gets clear.
On the look for change, Gorillaz got tons artists to collaborate with. Some of them are Mavis Staples, Carly Simon, De La Soul, Pusha T, Popcaan, Vince Staples, Kelela, and D.R.A.M. along many others. But even though they already counted with many great names they’ve revealed that many incredible artists decline to participate. Being Morrissey, Sade and Dionne Warwick some of the ones who turned down the offer.
Many of this artist have collaborated with them on previous occasions, especially De La Soul. Who appears with them on “Plastic Beach,” and in the iconic Gorillaz song “Feel Good Inc.” The album consists of 14 songs, 19 for the deluxe edition. Being the song “Leviathan,” one of the most awaited ones, since it was recorded during the “Plastic Beach” era.
The band is also preparing a to embark on a tour. As they already played a secret show in London on March 24th as a debut for the album. Also, their first date will be on the Dreamland in Margate attraction park, on June 10th. Since it’s part of their own Demon Dayz festival. Gorillaz will be at the Festival d’Été International de Québec, Canada on July 15th, Fuji Rock Festival on July 28-30 and Outside Lands, in San Francisco on August 11-13.
Source: NME.com