Gorillaz is a British virtual music group created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in 1998. While Albarn takes care of the music, Hewlett is the artist behind all the visual aspects. The founding duo typically remains in the shadows, as Gorillaz members are presented as four animated characters: 2-D (vocals), Noodle (guitar, keyboard), Murdoch Niccals (guitar, bass), and Russel Hobbs (drums). Over the years, a rich universe has been built around the fictional band through numerous music videos, short films, and even pre-written interviews.
“The Mountain” is the ninth studio album by the group, released 25 years after their debut project. It was created during a period of mourning for the creative duo, both of whom lost their fathers within two weeks. Despite death being the album’s central theme, the tone is far from melancholic. The fifth song, “The Orange County,” tackles the sadness of grief with a melody built around a cheerful whistle: “You know the hardest thing / Is to say goodbye to someone you love.”
Albarn and Hewlett, during the album’s creation and their grieving process, took several trips to India that influenced the major themes addressed in “The Mountain.” This influence can be felt in the spiritual aspect of the album. Death is approached through the lens of reincarnation, which helps to mitigate its tragic nature. The choice of collaborations perfectly reflects this, as they sometimes involve old recordings of deceased artists, such as rapper Proof on “The Manifesto,” who temporarily comes back to life for a few verses.
True to their style, Gorillaz incorporates a variety of collaborators and musical genres in which they draw inspiration. “The Mountain” is influenced by rap, trip hop, Indian classical music, alternative rock, and more. It is the result of collaborations between different countries, creating a multicultural work with a rich and unique sound. This diversity is also evident in the languages in which guest artists sing: English, Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba.
To accompany the album’s release, Gorillaz released an eight-minute short film titled “The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God,” which alludes to three different songs. A true love letter to the golden age of animation, the film draws heavily from “The Jungle Book” and was directed by Hewlett with the contribution of dozens of artists. The attention to detail demonstrates the enduring passion of Albarn and Hewlett. Thanks to this passion, Gorillaz has managed to create a monumental album that ranks among the best of the group.
“The Mountain” is available on all streaming platforms and in physical format. Gorillaz will be at the Centre Bell on October 3, 2026, where large screens will display videos of the virtual band, while Albarn and a dozen musicians will perform live on stage. Tickets are already on sale on evenko.ca.
