GORILLAZ 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: The inimitable musical world of Gorillaz crowns a new nation: 'Cracker Island'. 2022 is arguably the most prescient time for virtual bands to make their mark; nevermind AI rappers, we were already satisfied with these cartoon goons. Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D are not anthrophobic by any means, though; this album contains collaborations with live-action musicians from Stevie Nicks, Bad Bunny, Beck, Tame Impala, Adeleye Omotayond and Thundercat. Touted by Damon Albarn as an LP channelling the sound of change and the chorus of the collective, this makes much sense.

Review: 17 years on from the release of their infamous debut album, Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn's "virtual band" returns with a fifth full-length. This time round, they're rather angry, delivering a set that lyrically muses on everything from wars in the Middle East, the alt-right and racism, to mental illness, the Internet echo chamber and, most peculiarly of all, the importance of soul to Essex suburbanites in the 1980s. As usual, it's a thrill-a-minute mesh of musical styles and intermingling ideas, with a cast list of supporting characters that includes Chicago original Jamie Principle, De La Soul, Grace Jones, Jean-Michel Jarre, Mavis Staples and, most bizarrely given his history with Albarn, Noel Gallagher. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.