The eighth studio album by the British virtual band Gorillaz was released on February. 17 years after the band reigned the U.K album charts, their newest full-length record titled “Cracker Island,” continues to make waves in the music industry. The cartoon band led by songwriter Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, presents a bittersweet rendition of their experiences after relocating to Silver Lake.
The album hosts a variety of top dogs in the California music scene who contributes to the unique blend of Hip-Hop, Alt-Rock and Electronica that Gorillaz is known for. Furthermore, assisted by Bad Bunny, Stevie Nicks, Adeleye Omotayo, Thundercat, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Bootie Brown and Beck; the band completed recording the album in London and California under the guidance of producer Greg Kurstin.
Gorillaz is finally back, and how!
‘Cracker Island’ is the follow-up to 2020’s Song Machine. Season One – Strange Times. According to The Guardian, “This is, simultaneously, a very Albarn-forward, state-of-the-world Gorillaz record, and one packed with guests channeling different energies.” In addition, NME wrote, “A band that was once considered mucking about on the periphery of pop are now very much defining the present and inspiring the future.”
Gorillaz has clocked up six top 10 appearances on the national albums chart since their 2001 self-titled debut, which peaked at No. 3 on U.K Billboard charts, and their 2005’s leader, Demon Days. With a nod to the iconic dub-influenced Gorillaz sound, 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russell are finally back, much to the excitement of fans and critics alike.
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