Album Review: Gorillaz Song Machine Season One is their best work
When Blur front man Damon Albarn teamed up with artist Jamie Hewlett to create a virtual band in 1998, the innovative-yet-abstract concept seemed far fetched and ambitious, but intriguing. Upon release of their self-titled debut album in 2001, it quickly became apparent that Gorillaz was a musical force with no boundary of genre. Albarn’s latest project for his animated act is Song Machine. Divided into single releases that began dropping on YouTube with Episode One’s “Momentary Bliss feat slowthai and Slaves” on January 30.
In 2020, Albarn took on a growing trend of releasing individual songs, and added a layer of creativity to this strategy in releasing a series of biweekly/monthly EPs throughout the year, with the entire collection’s ultimate release scheduled in October. Song Machine is being introduced in progress, with seven of the ultimate 17 tracks released to date. Gorillaz have been dropping new tracks for the series at a rate of one every two months. The entire series is slated for an October 23 release. Episode six came out a week ago. Check the band’s YouTube channel for teasers for the upcoming songs.
Fans also have the option of purchasing tickets to Song Machine Live which takes place December 12 and 13 world wide. Tickets and details can be found here
With the release of Demon Days, specifically the epic hit track “Feel Good Inc.” four years later, the band’s ability to make hit songs became embedded in a seemingly new realm of not only music, but pop culture. Yet the notion of Gorillaz still felt obscured by the fact that they felt more like some animated, distant, intangible idea.
It wasn’t until the release of the more cohesive Plastic Beach, in 2010, that Gorillaz attained a more palpable feel. Since then, Gorillaz has released a plethora of albums that although enjoyable, don’t live up to their their opus, “Plastic Beach.” That is until now.
From what we’ve heard thus far, this is Gorillaz’ best work. Therapeutic and eerie elements come together in a musical ensemble conveying a complex retort to modern hysteria.
As to be expected, Song Machine features a plethora of guest appearances. “Aries (Episode Four),” featuring Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order) and Georgia, is the standout track of the current releases. A dance beat with a bass line from Hook that brings in vintage New Order sounds along with Albarn’s classic vocal delivery. Synthesized accents
“Strange Times (Episode Six),” a collaboration with The Cure’s, Robert Smith, is quite compelling and chilling. Just looking at Smith’s moon faced depiction at the outset of the clip feels both uncomfortable and fixating at the same time. That duality is felt in the messaging which is both bewildered at the current state of affairs yet offers the hopeful advice to “Be the Change” as the clip winds down.
Other current releases include appearances by; Schoolboy Q, Octavian, Tony Allen, Skepta, Malian singer-songwriter-actress, Fatoumata Diawara, Slaves, and slowthai. Featured guest spots on the upcoming Song Machine releases are promising as well, including the likes of superstars, Beck and Elton John.
As Song Machine gradually releases to the public, it will certainly morph into an addiction, a cultural phenomenon that will have listeners hooked and eagerly awaiting each successive episode. Pre-order Song Machine Season One directly from Gorillaz here.
