About a month ago, my suitemate greeted me by saying “have you heard the new Gorillaz songs?” I said no, but that I would listen soon. She continued to ask me if I had watched the videos yet every time we saw each other for a few days before I finally sat down and checked out their youtube. As soon as I had I went back to her to thank her for getting me to see what the Gorillaz were getting into. I started with the 360 Saturnz Barz video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVaBvyzuypw) which is an amazingly immersive music video. The viewer can either drag the screen or, if watching on a portable device, move around to see a trippy animated journey through a haunted house and into outer space. If you have a virtual reality viewer to place your phone in (such as Google Cardboard, which can be purchased for $15) the video is optimized for that as well. The music itself is innovative and the songs include an impressive variety of collaborators. Popcaan, D.R.A.M., Jehnny Beth, Pusha T, and Mavis Staples are all featured and there are 8 remixes up so far with more popping up all the time. This is all leading up to the release of the Humanz tape this Friday, April 28.
Of course, all of this new content is not entirely unanticipated. I won’t rehash the history of Gorillaz here, but the Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorillaz) includes some great links to get an overview of their history. The Gorillaz have been coming together and falling apart for years, living everywhere from recording studios with portals to hell (Kong Studios) and an island made of trash in the middle of the ocean (Plastic Beach). This twitter link (https://twitter.com/i/moments/813766393560711169) includes interviews and summaries of what the Gorillaz members have been up to in the 5 year hiatus.
Telekom Electronic Beats is helping support Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett (the musician and artist, respectively, behind the virtual band) with some of the cool technology that’s been coming out. Here in the states we can download the Gorillaz app (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMsibRR5KMI) which allows you to interact with the virtual world of the band members by clicking on totems representing each of them. You can also click on a totem which, at least for now, leads you to a real location where you can listen to the new songs. In European countries the Lenz app (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxf40FoA5ys) turns any magenta surface into a window into the Gorillaz world. There is also an animated show coming out, and a tour which includes a stop in ATL at the Infinite Energy Center. Tickets for the concert can be found on StubHub and similar sites, but are sold out on the Infinite Energy Center website.
Know any exciting new Gorillaz content? Leave a comment and spread the news!