Gorillaz – Cracker Island

An energetic, expansive and genre-bending collection from the cartoon clan...

Land Ahoy – we’re all off to ‘Cracker Island’ and what a bloody journey it is! When it comes to said journey, this ten track album from Gorillaz is more akin to a sprint as opposed to a marathon on the virtual virtuosos’ eighth studio album.

However, despite its diminutive length, ‘Cracker Island’ packs one hell of a punch and spans genres far and wide including electronica, dance, psychedelic, funk, folk and a plethora of non-Western forms – with a heavy dollop of synth to boot. 

Futuristic and experimental, the album covers everything from cults (and in particular) the cryptic and mysterious sect created by Murdoc called the ‘Last Cult’ and the fractious state of humanity.

This is a fearless effort with tracks like ‘New Gold’, ‘Baby Queen’, ‘Silent Running’ and ‘Skinny Ape’ already turning up the dials for a stratospheric and sumptuous sonic adventure. 

Gorillaz have always garnered a reputation for collaborations with a stellar array of guest artists and ‘Cracker Island’ is no exception with a smorgasbord of talent that reads like a music award nominations shortlist.

From the driving bass lines from Thundercat on the opening track ‘Cracker Island’ which sets the tone with its funky beats and contemplative lyrics that question the validity of a ‘made up paradise’ to the eclectic electronica of ‘Oil’ which provides a sense of hope advocating that “individual actions change the world”.

With star runs from the likes of Bad Bunny, Beck, Adeleye Omotayo, Tame Impala and Bootie Brown, this is an impressive and eclectic roster of talent that helps elevate ‘Cracker Island’ even more. ‘New Gold’ sees Kevin Parker from Tame Impala trading verses with Bootie Brown effortlessly fusing pristine alt-pop with a dreamy psychedelic lo-fi haze on what is the standout track of the album. 

Kevin Parker’s transcendental tones are almost other-wordly and this creates absolute magic when combined with the disco-funk beats and world-weary lines like: “Trending on Twitter – is what some of us live for / Friendships in and out / Fucking revolving door / All of this is a joke Pauly Shore – What are we living for?”

Bad Bunny’s resplendent reggaeton flavours are a delight on the feisty ‘Tormenta’ and the story of the island comes towards the end on album closer ‘Possession Island’; a Beck feature, it’s one of the more maudlin and lachrymose tracks on the album. 

It’s infinitely calmer, more considered than the other tracks, but still feels somewhat bittersweet with lyrics like “Where things they don’t exist / And we are all in this together ‘til the end.”

‘Possession Island’ aside, this is an energetic, upbeat, genre-expansive collection that ranks alongside Gorillaz’ best work.

8/10

Words: Emma Harrison

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