Gorillaz, the virtual band created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, has released their ninth studio album, 'The Mountain.'
The 15-track album draws inspiration from the Hindu concept of Samsara, focusing on themes of birth, death, and rebirth, contrasting with Western linear views of death. It features a diverse array of international and Indian musicians, alongside posthumous contributions, and is accompanied by a hand-drawn short film.
Album Concept and Narrative
'The Mountain' is set in India, continuing a tradition of location-based albums for Gorillaz. The album's narrative follows the band's animated avatars—2D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russell—as they undertake a "transcendental trek" up a titular mountain in Mumbai, engaging in mystical music-making. An accompanying hand-drawn short film by Jamie Hewlett depicts this journey.
Damon Albarn indicated the album is intended to be listened to from beginning to end, inviting listeners on a narrative journey complemented by accompanying artwork. The album cover depicts the Gorillaz avatars at a mountain peak.
The album's narrative and thematic focus on loss and grief were influenced by personal events experienced by the co-creators. Jamie Hewlett's mother-in-law passed away in 2023, followed a year later by the deaths of both Hewlett's and Albarn's fathers within a ten-day period in 2024. Albarn scattered his father's ashes in the Ganges River, linking the album's themes to Hindu culture and music, which his father admired. This shared experience informed the album's direction, with Hewlett noting that the visuals derive from observations in India.
Production and Sonic Tapestry
'The Mountain' is the first album released under Gorillaz's own Kong record label. Its creation involved recording sessions in multiple locations, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Varanasi, the UK, US, Syria, and Turkmenistan. The album blends Gorillaz's genre-bending style with traditional Indian music, incorporating Indian classical instrumentation and lyrics in multiple languages, including Hindi.
Featured Artists and Global Collaborations
The album features a wide range of guest artists, contributing to an expansive sonic tapestry.
Posthumous Contributions (from archival studio sessions spanning Gorillaz's 25-year career):
- Dennis Hopper (returning from 2005's 'Demon Days')
- Bobby Womack
- Dave 'Trugoy The Dove' Jolilcoeur of De La Soul (featured on "The Moon Cave")
- Mark E. Smith of The Fall
- Proof of D12
Prominent Indian Musicians:
- Bansuri flautist Ajay Prasanna
- Sitarist Anoushka Shankar
- Sarod players Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash
- Tabla percussionist Viraj Acharya
- Indian disco artist Asha Puthli
- Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle, who sings in Hindi on "The Shadowy Light."
Other Collaborators:
- Argentine rapper Trueno
- Black Thought from The Roots (featured on "The Moon Cave")
- Syrian singer Omar Souleyman (featured on "Damascus")
- Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def, featured on "Damascus")
- Joe Talbot of Idles (featured on "The God Of Lying")
- Johnny Marr (ex-The Smiths, featured on "The Plastic Guru" and several tracks)
- Art-pop duo Sparks (featured on "The Happy Dictator")
- Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen (featured on "The Hardest Thing")
Thematic Exploration and Social Commentary
The album delves into questions about the afterlife and explores themes of mortality, resurrection, and spirituality. Songs like "The Sweet Prince," written by Albarn after his father's death, directly address personal loss and themes of transition. The album also includes social commentary, with tracks such as "The God Of Lying" and "The Plastic Guru" addressing false prophets, and "The Happy Dictator" offering political critique.
Albarn stated that the album represents a creative renewal for Gorillaz. Both Albarn and Hewlett described the album's creation as a positive and adventurous experience, viewing it as an opportunity to refresh their artistic approach, learn, and promote understanding of diverse cultures and the importance of interconnection in the modern age.
Live Performances and Upcoming Tour
Gorillaz made their debut as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on March 7. The band performed their 2001 track "Clint Eastwood" and "The Moon Cave" from 'The Mountain.' For "Clint Eastwood," Del the Funky Homosapien joined them on stage. The performance of "The Moon Cave" featured collaborations with Asha Puthli, Black Thought, and Anoushka Shankar.
A tour supporting 'The Mountain' is scheduled to begin later this month in the U.K. The band also has scheduled festival dates in the UK and Europe for the summer, including a headlining slot at Barcelona's Primavera Sound festival in June. Gorillaz is set to return to North America in September for a tour, their first large-scale run in the region in four years, and will headline Atlanta's Shaky Knees festival.