How the Gorillaz Made Weird Music Cool
Studying the one and only virtual band and their seamless ability to genre blend and innovate.
Few music projects are as unique as the Gorillaz. Started by Blur frontman Damon Albarn at the turn of the century, he enlisted the artist Jamie Hewlett. The pair soon hit it off and moved in together.
The Gorillaz project was conceived after Albarn became jaded with the state popular music was in the mainstream and sought out to make a change.
The catalyst for the virtual band was Albarn believing that the music industry was image over talent. In 2001, the world was introduced to the Gorillaz.
The virtual band consists of; 2-D, Murdoc, Russel Hobbs and Noodle. Each member has their dedicated voice actor, backstory and personality to further develop their character.
It’s noted that each band member of the group represents a unique element/genre of music. Metaphorically speaking, it’s like each member is their own unique infinity gem of music genre.
In the Gorillaz universe, there’s an ever-revolving story from album to album. This includes everything from members leaving the group to intergalactic adventures.
The Gorillaz dropped their self-titled debut in March 2001. The album spawned the crossover hit ‘Clint Eastwood’ with rapper Del the Funky Homosapien. Musically, their first album ranges from; late 90s alternative rock, trip-hop, electronica and underground rap. At the time the Gorillaz dropped, nothing on the charts sounded like them. Thanks to the success of their album, Gorillaz helped cultivate their die-hard fanbase.
A bulk of the LPs production was handled by Dan the Automator. Automator is noted for his work with Kool Keith on the first Dr Octagon album. Sonically, Automator brings his signature idiosyncrasies to the Gorillaz. They put out a lo-fi track like ‘Tomorrow Comes Today’ or a funk-driven song like ‘19-2000’.
In 2005, the Gorillaz released their second album 'Demon Days'. The LPs production handled by Danger Mouse. In a similar vein to Automator, Albarn enlisted the most cutting-edge producer to be the soundtrack to the Gorillaz mayhem. Danger Mouse was fresh off his bootleg Jay-Z/Beatles mash-up record 'The Grey Album'.
Demon Days was notable for featuring a whos who of talent from all corners of the industry. The album featured; Ike Turner, MF Doom, Shaun Ryder, Dennis Hopper, De La Soul, Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde and Martina Topley-Bird.
Since Demon Days, Gorillaz has gone onto release over six albums. This includes their record-breaking LP’ ‘Plastic Beach’. Songs like; ‘Superfast Jellyfish’, ‘DARE’ or ‘Feel Good Inc’ have been engrained into the masses psyche.
Thanks to collaborators like Dan the Automator and Danger Mouse, the Gorillaz music had maintained a cutting-edge, endearing, yet off-kilter approach.
Whether it’s the comic book-esque world the members inhabit or their uncanny approach to song-making, there’s nothing quite like the Gorillaz.
Stream the Gorillaz on Spotify and Apple Music here.
