The stars just keep rolling in as Lou Reed arrives over the horizon to have his say on the state of the Plastic Beach nation.
This is a dark and industrial angle to Gorillaz not previously seen. Droning synths create a sound akin to Fischerspooner’s ‘Emerge’, though Smith does deliver his contributions with inimitable charisma, topping things off with a maniacal laugh at the end. Any fans hoping for ‘Glitter Freeze’ to be another Shaun Ryder on ’D.A.R.E.’-esque moment of pop genius however will be disappointed though, as Smith ultimately takes a back seat on this one.
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A rush of images flood to your head, imagining the truculent Fall man looking for a bookies and a quiet pub amidst the Technicolor beauty of the island, perhaps angrily quizzing Snoop on how to get back to Manchester. Smith’s opening line as he asks “Where’s North from here?”. If you only remember one thing from listening to Plastic Beach, it will be Mark E. Being a relatively unknown voice amidst a sea of stars helps singer Yukimi Nagano blend into Plastic Beach’s narrative and together with Albarn carve some beauty from the chaos. Another melancholic number, ‘Empire Ants’ is an introspective and lonely moment of isolation before the introduction of Swedish/ Japanese band Little Dragon. It’s an oddity, that given the volume of cameos on Plastic Beach, it is only when 2D’s vocals are solo do you truly feel in Gorillaz' company.
Fun and frivolous, this song boasts the album's catchiest melody, though it doesn’t add too much to the record's overall feel. Starting up with a commercial for Plastic Beach’s own microwave breakfast cereal, ‘Superfast Jellyfish’ soon gives way to De La Soul kicking it with Super Furry Animal’s Gruff Rhys. It could be said that this song features one voice too many and lacks a definitive Gorillaz identity, but who you would ask to leave is a difficult decision indeed. Like most of the album so far these voices and characters (Mos Def runs the arcade on Plastic Beach) tell their stories amidst layers of electronic haze and a pulsating groove. The first official single, ‘Stylo’ features the laidback rhymes of Mos Def and the demented caterwauling of Bobby Womack. Plastic Beach originated when Gorillaz creators Albarn and Jamie Hewlett wanted to explore the melancholy that runs through all great pop music and this is the perfect juxtaposition between maudlin and melody. Fuzzy and distorted vocals mix in with a nagging electronic loop as 2D sits alone like a “A scary gargoyle on a tower” singing to nobody in particular. After Albarn’s glorious sojourn into his past last summer, tracks like this are a reminder of just how forward thinking the man can also be. The first time we hear 2D’s vocals pushed to the fore.
Similar in tone to Gorillaz previous work on ‘19-2000’ the song has a childlike freedom to it and is aided immeasurably by the Eastern flourishes provided by The Lebanese National Orchestra For Oriental Arabic Music. Despite featuring two forgotten men of UK hip-hop in Kano and Bashy, ‘White Flag’ is a stand out track on the album. If Snoop is the wise old veteran, then this is the track where we meet his unruly kids. Set to huge sub bass and stabbing synths, Snoop’s laidback flow is a bold and confident way to start the album. Making the first guest appearance of the album, Tha Doggfather acts as a master of ceremonies, helping you off the boat and onto the sandy shores. If there is anyone you want to greet you in a strange and unknown world then let's be honest, Snoop Dogg ranks pretty highly on the list. The listener is now transported away from civilisation and onto Plastic Beach. The mood is set to the sound of ocean waves lapping against the shore offset by grandiose string arrangements amidst the sound of seagulls flapping their wings and crowing. Here is a track by track guide of what to expect from the album when it is released on March 8th.ĭoes what it says on the tin. sorry 2D, and co (sigh) invited DiS to visit their 'secret floating island deep in the South Pacific' last month for an exclusive first listen of the album, as well as take a look around the huge model display of the beach - 'made up of the detritus, debris and washed up remnants of humanity' - itself.
Gorillaz' forthcoming third album Plastic Beach is a kaleidoscopic and typically adventurous affair.