Gorillaz to Release New Album
British virtual band Gorillaz has officially announced that a new album is set to be released in 2025. This upcoming album will mark Gorillaz’s return after the successful launch of Cracker Island in 2023, which garnered critical acclaim, reaching number 3 on the Billboard 200 and receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album in 2024. Gorillaz was founded in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. The band’s unique concept revolves around four animated characters: Stuart ‘2-D’ Pot (vocalist and keyboard player), Murdoc Niccals (bassist), Noodle (guitarist), and Russel Hobbs (drummer). This distinctive approach has captivated audiences by blending a diverse range of musical genres like rock, hip hop, dub, reggae, electronic, and pop.
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett established Gorillaz in response to the oversaturation of so-called boy bands, which they perceived as artificial. The band’s debut album, self-titled Gorillaz, debuted in 2001, featuring hits like Clint Eastwood and 19-2000. Subsequent albums such as Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), Humanz (2017), and The Now Now (2018) have continued to showcase Gorillaz’s creative evolution and musical prowess.
The highly anticipated new 2025 album was announced by Damon Albarn in an interview with French media outlet Les Inrockuptibles. Albarn expressed excitement about working on the album alongside his other project, The Magic Flute II: La Maldiction. In addition to Albarn’s confirmation, Jamie Hewlett also verified the release of the new album through a message shared by a Gorillaz fan Instagram account. The album is expected to finalize production within the next six weeks.
Gorillaz last performed live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in 2023, thrilling fans with their electrifying stage presence and innovative musical performances. Damon Albarn, besides his work with Gorillaz, is also known for his involvement in the band Blur, which achieved critical acclaim during the Britpop era with albums like Parklife and Blur. Albarn’s musical interests extend beyond Gorillaz and Blur, as he has collaborated with African musicians from Mali and Congo, showcasing his versatility and passion for exploring diverse musical influences.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry, Damon Albarn was bestowed with the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016. Albarn’s musical legacy extends beyond Gorillaz, as he has ventured into various projects like The Good, the Bad & the Queen and Rocket Juice and the Moon, as well as embarking on operatic endeavors such as Monkey: Journey to the West and Dr. Dee: An English Opera. Albarn’s multifaceted career underscores his unwavering dedication to musical innovation and his ongoing pursuit of artistic excellence.