The hit animated band, Gorillaz, has released their long awaited album Humanz Friday April 28. From what comes of this star studded album is futuristic, terrifying, and nothing but creativity from the creators of the band Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett.
In the past, Gorillaz has presented themselves in phases; each “phase” typically takes place in a different location, such as Kong Studios, and the Plastic beach. The band is in phase four taking place at a strange cross bridge of the Spirit house and space. They led up to the theme of their album in their music video for their single “Saturnz Barz” revealing a haunted house that takes the animated characters (2D, Murdoc, Russel, and Noodle) to space.
Weeks before the album dropped an app was released taking humans stuck in reality to the animated world of Gorillaz by interaction with smartphone cameras. Not only that, but a live interview was done on Youtube with 2D and Murdoc. For the duration of the 30 minute interview the band mates discussed the upcoming album, past albums, and even took questions from fans. Gorillaz surely took a liking to publicising themselves and these things almost seemed to change their entire image with them being able to do more live interviews and have more social media interaction with fans.
When the big release for Humanz came listeners were transported to a new world. A new world in which the Gorillaz created with an obscurity of sound from the future while keeping one foot in reality. The album features a heavy bass that is not overused combined with heavy synth that carries the tune featured throughout almost every song on the album.
Some things to definitely take note on the album is that the band gets a little political. In the song “Let me out” names are bleeped out by a honking car horn. As the song plays and carries on with strong vocals from Mavis Staples and rap verses from Pusha T, there is reference to the Black Lives Matter movement. Corruption is also a concept dealt with on the album in “Hallelujah money”. It may not be direct, but the message is there. Strangely enough it almost seems like the listener can care less about the political messages; it’s an album that seems to make people dance.
The whole album is one giant dance party with special guests. It is an album to ease the mind and numb the reality to the listener. For fans of the past the album is well worth it, including the Deluxe album which features extra songs. As for those who may have never heard of Gorillaz, take a listen if you are into weird combinations of rap, rock, hip-hop, or just something that seems to be its own genre in the world of music. Gorillaz is very successful with the creation of their new album. After a break of seven years they are kicking and screaming for an amazing comeback.
