Just want more.
Gorillaz (Photo: Courtesy of Warner Music Israel)
In a slightly ironic way, when you approach a Gorillaz album, you already pretty much know what you're going to get.
It's ironic because the Gorillaz are unlike any other vehicle in the last 25 years, for the simple reason that its members aren't entirely real.
Four animated, human-like musicians, whose appearance changes from year to year, are wrapped in a story shrouded in mystery, in which curious listeners will find ghosts, the cult of Satan and a plastic beach.
Somehow, over the years the Gorillaz seem to have found their regular recipe for an album: throw in a few guest artists, preferably at least one hip-hop artist, add some synthesizer, and mix.
Submission offer only.
On the face of it, "Cracker Island", their first album in five years (if you don't count the "Song Machine" project, which combined an hour of peaceful collaborations in music videos that completed a whole story) - does not deviate from this recipe, but apparently.
When you first look at the list of songs you can see, alongside lesser known names, huge voices like Stevie Nicks, Bad Bunny, Beck and Time Impala.
This album is also accompanied by a strange background story, about a cult located on a mysterious island.
The last albums of the Gorillaz did not meet the high bar of their predecessors.
For a moment there was a fear that the creatures had lost their magic.
But "Cracker Island" dispels this fear immediately: from the very first moment, it turns out to be simply pure fun, and with zero effort.
Ten songs that stretch over less than 40 minutes make up an exciting and freely flowing piece that you can't stop listening to.
Each song on the album is a potential hit on its own, and it's not hard to imagine them being integrated into the Israeli radio stations as well, if they are brave enough, especially thanks to the beloved Time Impala and the huge Bad Bunny, which is really a mystery how the Israelis haven't hijacked it yet.
The collaborations that characterize the band compliment both the guest and the host, the beats are catchy and refreshing and the entire album gives the listener an experience that involves all the senses.
Among the collaborations, Stevie Nicks' voice on "Oil" is enchanting as usual;
And Bad Bunny brings a reggaeton tone in "Tormenta" ("storm" in Spanish), which compliments the psychedelic nature of the album.
The album opens with the theme song, with an excellent electronic-eighties vibe in a required collaboration with Thundercat (completely underrated).
After that, the album simply flows, without a definite peak moment, but the ears cannot remain indifferent to the song "Skinny Ape".
Damon Albarn, the brain (and voice) behind the band, breaks the fourth wall for a moment and admits in the voice of 2D, the fictional leader, that "I'm just a cartoon character", and almost begs: "Don't feel sorry for me".
The song ends with a perfect electronic section, which sends the listener straight to the last song, where Beck delivers a touching closing melody, in which he calls out to the 2D side: We are all together, until the end.
It is impossible to respond to this call and not respond enthusiastically, and only want more.
And for those who want more: there is also a deluxe version, which was released a few days after the release of the album and three more new songs were added to it, including one with the iconic group De La Soul - who lost the rapper Trogoi de Dub this month - and with the rapper Del The Funky Homosapien, whose voice is familiar from the first hit of the band, "Clint Eastwood".
However, despite the temptation, it is recommended to listen to the album in its entirety first, and only then to switch to the extended version, so as not to lose the magical effect of the original closing song.
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To the full article
Damon Albarn, a guy whose quirkiness is dwarfed by his effortless vocality, has already proven that he can do anything he sets his mind to.
Whether it's conquering the world with Britpop band Blair;
Record entire albums in hotel rooms or on an iPad and have fun with Afro-beat with the legendary bass player Peli.
Gorillaz was invented by Albarn in 1998, and for years he explored more and more how to break the boundaries of hip-hop, rock, electronica and world music and blend them all in a wonderful chaos.
This project spawned some huge hits, but it was never meant to be comfortable or easy.
Now, on the "Cracker Island" album, he takes the serving offer, throws it against the wall, sees it scatter everywhere, and feels for the first time how convenient and easy it really is.
All we have to do is enjoy.
in the small
2023 is giving us in its short months so far new standards for pop and electronic music, with some of the indie artists in the scene daring to cross the boundaries they know.
The American Caroline Polchak released her second album, "Desire, I Want To Turn Into You", in which she breaks the structures of normal singing and rebuilds it, alongside a powerful and impressive voice, perfect production and songs that cannot be ignored, whether you love them or hate them them;
The American-English band Algiers stretches the boundaries of the genre to the limit on their fourth album, "Shook", making our ears confused and think twice about every sound;
The experimental project US Girls presents an excellent album as usual, messy but organized to the smallest detail;
And the veteran band Paramore proves that it is no longer a youth band, with maturity and inspiring openness.
There is something to listen to.
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Gorillaz
Damon Albarn
