By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – LONDON, The boundaries of virtual artistry and global collaboration have been pushed once again as Gorillaz officially unveil their ninth studio effort, The Mountain. This release marks a pivotal moment for the Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett-led project, as it serves as the inaugural launch under their newly established KONG imprint. Building upon the synth-pop foundations of 2023’s Cracker Island, this new collection represents an ambitious pivot toward a more geographically and linguistically diverse sound, drawing inspiration from the deep cultural reservoirs of India and the varied backgrounds of its extensive guest list.
The arrival of The Mountain comes less than a year after its initial announcement in September, signaling a period of intense creative fertility for the world’s most famous animated band. While previous records have often focused on specific thematic locales—ranging from the dystopian landfill of Plastic Beach to the neon-soaked streets of Tokyo—this new 15-track odyssey feels decidedly more nomadic. The album’s production journey was a global undertaking, with recording sessions spanning from the familiar studios of London and the rural quiet of Devon to the vibrant, chaotic, and spiritually resonant landscapes of India.
The choice of India as a primary creative hub has deeply colored the sonic palette of the record. Sessions were held in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, the political heart of New Delhi, and the historic regions of Rajasthan and Varanasi. The influence of these locations is evident not just in the field recordings and atmospheric textures woven throughout the tracks, but in the very structure of the compositions. By embedding themselves in these diverse environments, Albarn and his team have managed to capture a sense of place that transcends mere tourism, opting instead for a genuine dialogue with local sounds and traditions.
This dialogue is further emphasized by the album’s linguistic breadth. The Mountain features vocal performances in five different languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba. This polyglot approach serves as a testament to the group’s long-standing mission of using the virtual band format as a vessel for international unity. It reflects a world that is increasingly interconnected yet remains rich with distinct cultural identities. By blending these languages, Gorillaz have created a record that feels like a transmission from a global village, where traditional boundaries of genre and geography are rendered obsolete.
The list of collaborators on The Mountain is as eclectic as it is prestigious, featuring a mix of contemporary innovators and legendary icons. Long-time associate Yasiin Bey returns to the fold, bringing his unparalleled lyrical flow to the project alongside the Syrian electronic pioneer Omar Souleyman. The inclusion of Johnny Marr, the legendary Smiths guitarist, adds a layer of shimmering indie-rock sensibility, while the Argentine producer Bizarrap brings a modern, high-energy electronic pulse that bridges the gap between the underground and the mainstream. Gruff Rhys, another familiar face in the Albarn universe, also contributes his unique Welsh psychedelic touch.
Perhaps most poignant, however, are the posthumous contributions that haunt the record like benevolent spirits. The Mountain serves as a final resting place for unreleased performances from several late greats who were instrumental to the Gorillaz journey. The unmistakable drumming of Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen, the soulful grit of Bobby Womack, and the gravelly narration of Dennis Hopper all make appearances. Furthermore, the album includes contributions from the late Mark E. Smith of The Fall, Proof of D12, and Dave Jolicoeur (Trugoy the Dove) of De La Soul. These inclusions turn the album into a living memorial, celebrating the lives of artists who helped shape the Gorillaz mythos over the last two decades.
To accompany the musical release, Jamie Hewlett has continued to expand the visual narrative of the band. Earlier this week, the group unveiled a stunning animated short film titled The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God. The film provides a visual anchor for the album’s themes, exploring the symbolic journey of the four animated members—2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs—as they navigate the treacherous but awe-inspiring terrain of the titular peak. Hewlett’s art direction continues to evolve, blending traditional 2D animation with increasingly sophisticated digital techniques to create a world that feels both tangible and hallucinatory.
The release of The Mountain also marks the beginning of a significant new chapter for the band’s business operations. As the first release on the KONG label, the album represents a move toward greater creative independence. While Gorillaz have always been a project defined by its rejection of industry norms, the establishment of their own imprint suggests a desire to further insulate their experimental tendencies from the pressures of the traditional major label system. It allows Albarn and Hewlett to curate a specific ecosystem for their music and visual art, potentially opening the door for future projects from other artists within the Gorillaz orbit.
The live component of the The Mountain era is set to be equally ambitious. The group has announced a comprehensive tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland, scheduled to commence on March 21st at Manchester’s state-of-the-art Co-Op Live Arena. This run of shows will culminate in a landmark event on June 20th, when Gorillaz will take over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. This performance marks their first-ever headline stadium show, a milestone that underscores the enduring popularity and cultural relevance of a project that many initially dismissed as a gimmick at the turn of the millennium.
This upcoming tour follows a series of highly acclaimed performances last summer at London’s Copper Box Arena. During those shows, the band revisited their roots by performing several of their classic albums in their entirety, including a celebrated full-length rendition of their self-titled debut. These retrospective sets served as a reminder of how far the project has traveled since "Clint Eastwood" first hit the airwaves in 2001. By looking back at their legacy while simultaneously preparing for the launch of The Mountain, Albarn and Hewlett have demonstrated a rare ability to honor their history without becoming trapped by it.
As fans begin to digest the 15 tracks of the new LP, the consensus is forming that The Mountain is one of the project’s most spiritually resonant works. It eschews the immediate pop-gloss of some of their previous hits in favor of something deeper and more contemplative. The integration of Hindi and Yoruba vocals, in particular, has been noted for the way it elevates the music into something that feels ancient and modern all at once. The album does not merely offer songs; it offers an environment—a high-altitude sanctuary where the ghosts of the past and the innovators of the future can coexist.
With The Mountain now available across all major streaming platforms and physical formats, the focus shifts to how these complex arrangements will translate to the live stage. Given the band’s history of utilizing cutting-edge holographic technology, guest appearances, and immersive stage design, the upcoming stadium shows are expected to be some of the most visually and sonically dense performances of the year. For a band that started as a cartoon critique of the music industry, Gorillaz have transformed into a vital, global institution that continues to define the cutting edge of contemporary culture.
As the KONG label begins its journey and the band prepares for their most significant tour to date, The Mountain stands as a testament to the power of collaborative imagination. It is a record that refuses to stay in one place, mirroring the restless energy of its creators. Whether through the inclusion of a posthumous Tony Allen drum beat or a soaring vocal line in Arabic, the album reminds listeners that even at the summit of their career, Gorillaz are still looking for new peaks to climb.