November 03, 2025

Discography Deep Focus: Gorillaz

By Neil Bishop

With a new album on the horizon and having just celebrated their 20th anniversary, Gorillaz have cemented their status as one of music’s top collaborators.

Following the emergence of mid-’90s boy bands specifically crafted for MTV’s newer, more Hollywood-esque creations like “MTV Cribs,” Blur frontman Damon Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett decided to come together and create something new — something that would take back creativity from phony pop acts and revitalize the industry.

And thus, in 2001, Gorillaz was born, with their first album being the self-titled Gorillaz.

But this was no normal band. Gorillaz is composed of four virtual, illustrated avatars: “2D,” the stereotypical pretty-boy lead singer; “Russel Hobbs,” a drummer from New York; “Murdoc Niccals,” a satanist and blatant shot at corrupt Hollywood figures; and “Noodle,” a Japanese child who mysteriously appeared in a package delivered to the fictional Kong Studios, where the band is based.

With their blend of real-world issues and virtual storytelling, Albarn was able to push beyond his rock background and experiment with more technical, synthesized sounds.

Over the last 20 years, the band has amassed an impressive range of sounds, collaborations, art styles, and creative inspirations across seven main albums and three EPs.

Gorillaz (Self-Titled)

Before the release of their debut, Albarn expressed that he wanted to leave his more conventional sounds with Blur and not worry about sticking to a genre.

He wanted to have fun with this album — a quality that can be clearly heard in both the music and accompanying animated videos.

The album has a distinct “freshman” feel, with many lyrics not carrying deep meaning but embracing playfulness through its mix of instruments and genres.

A standout track is “Clint Eastwood.” As the band’s second most-played song, it’s easy to see why it exemplifies Gorillaz’s place in the industry.

The song feels gritty, combining Albarn’s melodica with low piano notes and a simple drum track. With a melodic chorus and a rap feature from Del the Funky Homosapien, the band’s unique creative approach shines through.

Demon Days

Widely regarded within the Gorillaz community as their most consistent and best creation, Demon Days is where Albarn perfects the darker, more mature tone he envisioned for the band.

With political commentary and a structured narrative, the album boasts stronger composition and a natural flow throughout.

Right from the start, Albarn immerses listeners into the world of Gorillaz. Tracks like “Last Living Souls,” “Kids With Guns” and “O Green World” are bleak and carry an industrial feel.

Demon Days also features the band’s most well-known track, “Feel Good Inc.” Its clean bass riff leads the way, complemented by 2D’s melancholic vocals.

As a story-driven album, it’s Albarn’s most masterful work — both musically and thematically — with messages that still resonate today.

Plastic Beach

Plastic Beach is an album that many fans, myself included, find themselves constantly returning to.

Building on the creative success of Demon Days, Albarn delivers another story-driven project. As the title suggests, the album evokes the feeling of nighttime on a beach — dreamy and surreal.

Melodic tones carry through the entire record, maintaining a consistent, atmospheric mood.

A highlight is “On Melancholy Hill,” which perfectly captures the album’s tone — an easy, pleasant listen that remains a fan favorite.

Humanz

At its release in 2017, Humanz became Gorillaz’s most controversial album.

Fans and critics shared one main complaint: Where was the signature Gorillaz feel?

The criticism wasn’t baseless — all but one track on the album featured guest artists, leaving little presence for 2D’s vocals that defined the band’s earlier works.

However, over time, these initial criticisms have softened. Songs like “Andromeda” have found appreciation among fans.

As a complete album, Humanz may feel inconsistent, but its individual highlights showcase some of the band’s best experimental moments.

The Now Now

My personal favorite album, The Now Now, sees Albarn respond directly to the “not enough 2D” criticism from Humanz.

While the gap between Plastic Beach and Humanz was seven years, The Now Now followed just one year later.

Featuring only three collaborations, the album places 2D’s vocals firmly at the forefront.

My favorite track, “Kansas,” — like much of the album — carries a more emotional tone.

Albarn’s goal was to offer fans a deeper look into the fictional mind of 2D, and The Now Now truly feels like a love letter to longtime listeners.

As Gorillaz move into the future and creators Albarn and Hewlett continue to evolve, their projects remain creatively ambitious.

Their upcoming releases and teasers are still a fun ride, proving that after two decades, there’s no shortage of innovation — or joy — in being a Gorillaz fan.