Gorillaz, the iconic animated band created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, have released their ninth studio album, The Mountain. This new record delves into themes of the afterlife, drawing inspiration from a trip to India and personal losses experienced by the creators. Despite its ambitious concept and warm instrumentation, the album struggles to reach its full emotional potential.
Key Takeaways
- Gorillaz's ninth album, The Mountain, focuses on themes of death and the afterlife.
- The album was inspired by personal losses and a trip to India, exploring Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh perspectives on death.
- It features unused vocal takes from late collaborators like Dennis Hopper and Bobby Womack, alongside contemporary Indian musicians.
- Despite its thematic depth, the album's style often overshadows its emotional substance, leading to mixed reception.
- Some tracks, like "The Moon Cave" and "The Manifesto," are highlighted as standout moments.
A Journey Through Grief and Spirituality
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett conceived The Mountain following the passing of their fathers and Hewlett's mother-in-law. This personal grief became a core inspiration, leading them to explore different cultural approaches to death. Their journey to India particularly influenced the album, as they integrated the optimistic views on the afterlife found in Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh traditions.
The album acts as a continuation of Gorillaz's unofficial trilogy of location-based projects. This series began with 2010's Plastic Beach, which offered a satirical look at environmental destruction. It continued with 2023's Cracker Island, exploring the isolating nature of cultural echo chambers. The Mountain shifts this focus, aiming for comfort and joy in the face of loss, rather than direct social commentary.
Album Facts
- Ninth Studio Album: The Mountain marks Gorillaz's ninth full-length studio release.
- Global Collaborations: The album features a diverse range of artists, including Indian musicians and posthumous contributions.
- Thematic Trilogy: It completes an unofficial trilogy of albums exploring different global locations and themes.
Collaborations Across Generations
Gorillaz is known for its extensive list of collaborators, and The Mountain is no exception. The album incorporates unused vocal recordings from past collaborators who have passed away, such as Dennis Hopper, Mark E. Smith, and Bobby Womack. These voices are blended with those of contemporary artists, including Anoushka Shankar, daughter of the renowned sitar player Ravi Shankar.
This blend of voices from different eras and cultures aims to create a rich, multilingual mosaic. However, critics note that while the intention is admirable, the execution sometimes falls short. The ambition to merge past and present, honoring deceased artists while introducing new talents, is a significant aspect of the album's identity.
"The desire for listeners to consume the album from beginning to end as a dissent against our 'culture of scrolling' might explain the relative flatness of the project."
Musical Style and Emotional Impact
The musical landscape of The Mountain is characterized by its warm and often gorgeous instrumentation. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett aimed for a cohesive thematic anchor, but the style sometimes overwhelms the substance. The production, while ornate, can become repetitive, and the songwriting occasionally relies on platitudes rather than deep emotional resonance.
Some tracks, however, manage to break through. "The Moon Cave" offers a boppy disco fever with an '80s flair, providing a contrast to the album's melancholic undertones. "The Happy Dictator," featuring avant-pop duo Sparks, delivers catchy New Wave synths. "Damascus," originally written during the Plastic Beach sessions, finds a more fitting home here with its percussive sway and sitar-heavy sound.
Gorillaz's Evolution
Since their debut in 2001, Gorillaz have consistently pushed boundaries, blending rock, punk, pop, and hip-hop with orchestral, funk, and Arabic influences. Their discography reflects a continuous exploration of cultural exchange, often through collaborations with artists from diverse musical backgrounds. This approach has led to both moments of brilliance and occasional unevenness in their work.
Highs and Lows on the Album
The seven-minute centerpiece, "The Manifesto," stands out as an ambitious two-part track. It features compelling contributions from Argentine hip-hop artist Trueno and the late rapper Proof. These moments demonstrate Albarn's ability to infuse a buzzy energy that helps to make some of the album's thematic weight more accessible.
Conversely, some songs struggle to connect. "Orange County" is described as a well-meaning but simplistic ballad, with a repetitive sentimental line over a banal instrumental. Similarly, "The Plastic Guru" and the closing track "The Sad God" are cited for their mawkishness, with strained verses that do not always enhance the emotional depth.
Despite these criticisms, The Mountain earns credit for its ambitious scope. It brings together a wide array of new and seasoned talents, while also honoring the voices of those who are no longer with us. The attempt to transform despair into art and find catharsis is evident throughout the record.
The Challenge of Emotional Peaks
Ultimately, The Mountain aims for profound emotional heights but does not consistently reach them. The multicultural and multilingual tapestry woven by Albarn and Hewlett, while rich in sound, often remains on the surface. It struggles to match the ecstatic build-and-release and bittersweet existential journeys found in some of Gorillaz's earlier work.
The album's message of being present and its dissent against a "culture of scrolling" are clear. However, this request for a full-album listen also highlights moments of tedium. The reliance on guest artists sometimes overshadows Albarn's own efforts, preventing the album from fully realizing its potential to move mountains, instead only gently prodding them.