Gorillaz have share two new companion tracks, 'Orange County', and 'The Hardest Thing', featuring collaborations from Kara Jackson, Bizarrap, and Anoushka Shankar.
These singles which you can check out below, were already previewed by the band at their phone-free 'House Of Kong' mystery show in London back in September, from their forthcoming album, 'The Mountain', which will arrive on February 27.
They had already previewed the album with 'The Happy Dictator', in collaboration with Sparks, a track which also sees Damon Albarn sing the lyrics: “No more bad news, so you can sleep well at night and the palace of your mind will be bright.".
They will also open with the voice of longtime collaborator and friend, drummer Tony Allen, who passed away in 2020. These songs also look at themes of grief and hope, like much of the album.
However, 'Orange County' carried a much more uplifting tune. It will see co founder Damon Albarn team up with former US National Youth Poet Laureate Kara Jackson on vocals, as well as 14 time Grammy award nominee sitar player, Anoushka Shankar.
Damon Albarn co wrote the song with Jackson, as did four time Grammy Award winning Argentine artist, producer, and musical innovator Bizarrap.
Jackson sings the lyrics: “You know the hardest thing is to say goodbye/To someone you love/That’s the hardest thing,” 2D (Albarn) sings in a melancholic tone, backed by simple, cheerful instrumentals. “Every face you forgot/ Father’s jaw/ They suspend the clock/ Another start/ Get another chance to love".
See more below.
Gorillaz had announced their new album, 'Mountain' back in September, as well as a UK and Ireland tour.
The tour begins the day after Gorillaz release their album on March 20.
See the tour dates in full below.
MARCH
21 – Co-op Live, Manchester
22 – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham
24 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow (support from Trueno)
25 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
27 – Utilitia Arena, Cardiff (support from Trueno)
28 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham (support from Trueno)
29 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool (support from Trueno)
31 – SSE Arena, Belfast
APRIL
1 – 3Arena, Dublin (support from Trueno)
JUNE
20 – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London (support from Sparks and Trueno)
