Ever since I joined Stargazer I told myself that if a Gorillaz album came out before I graduated I would write an article about it. So here we are.
The virtual band recently released their newest album, “The Mountain,” on Feb. 27, which features 15 new original songs. The album was conceptualized by members Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett when they were on a trip to India to find self enlightenment. Both of them had their fathers pass away, and this trip was a way also of processing their grief. The album features Indian inspiration and is practically a love letter to Indian culture.
“The Mountain” album uses a lot of traditional Indian instruments, but also uses modern Western instruments, mainly synth. This album, like many other albums by Gorillaz, features a bunch of different artists. Some main featured artists include Mark E Smith, Black Thought, Trueno, Ajay Prasanna, Asha Puthli and a lot more. “The Mountain” is very different from all of their prior albums due to its more Southeast Asian flair. Some moments feel like a completely separate band to a point that you question if it’s by the same group that came out with “Clint Eastwood” and “Feel Good Inc.” Even though “The Mountain” is unlike any Gorillaz album, there are still the stylistic choices of layering and distortion that are distinctly Gorillaz. With this, Gorillaz continues to form new styles throughout each era and album.
I really enjoy “The Mountain” and have had it on loop for the past few weeks. I do have some songs that I’ve listened to more though. Some of my favorites include “The Manifesto,” “Delirium,” “Damascus,” and “The God of Lying.” Each song has a different sound to it, but these are the more faster paced songs. “The Manifesto” has a very upbeat start, which then shifts to hip-hop halfway through the song. It has a mix of Spanish rapping, English rapping, English vocals and an Indian inspired instrumental. The song “Delirium” shifts between an ominous sound and an upbeat disco style. This one is just such a good song due to how it feels like you are moving in and out of delirium, as the title implies. “Damascus” starts with Hindi vocals that go back and forth with English vocals. It is a very upbeat song that has you bopping your head the whole time and enjoying the little “fresh” adlibs. Lastly, “The God of Lying” is a darker contrast compared to the other songs. There are a lot of layers that create this eerie feeling, with all sorts of instruments and distortions used throughout the song.
There were a few songs that weren’t the highlight of the album for me. A few being “The Shadowy Light,” and “The Plastic Guru.” The main reason I wasn’t a fan of “The Shadowy Light” was the key and pace the song was set in. It’s a slower song but the key is higher or happier; I’m personally not a fan of the juxtaposition that the song creates with this. “The Plastic Guru” is a good song although the chorus when “we believe what we choose” is sung there aren’t many layers, which is what I’m usually looking for in a Gorillaz song. Without the many layers of instruments and distortions this particular part of the song felt out of place to me.
There are quite a few recurring musical motifs and lyrics that show up throughout the album. “The Mountain” is where the most prominent motif is found; this theme is seen again in the last song, “The Sad God,” almost like a hello and goodbye to the album. The lyrics “the mountain” also show up quite a bit, like in “The Manifesto,” “The Plastic Guru” and “The Sad God.” I think the words “the mountain” and the theme of the song “The Mountain” are meant to represent the messages of rebirth and self betterment due to how mountains in Southeast Asian religious culture are a place to find self enlightenment.
“The Mountain” is truly a calming journey that has upbeat and exciting new songs. I felt moved while listening to it for the first time, the instrument’s style soothed me and reminded me of simpler parts of my life. This is a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes traditional style music, experimental music and the newer style of Gorillaz.
