Album Review: Gorillaz - 'The Mountain'
- Michael La Torre, Founder
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
Alternative stars Gorillaz are back with a brand new album this Friday titled The Mountain! The Mountain represents the ninth studio album from Gorillaz in their career and spans 15 songs. The album features a plethora of guest artists and collaborators including: Ajay Prasanna, Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash, Anoushka Shankar, Asha Bhosle, Asha Puthli, Bizarrap, Black Thought, Gruff Rhys, IDLES, Jalen Ngonda, Johnny Marr, Kara Jackson, Omar Souleyman, PaulSimonon, Sparks, Trueno, and Yasiin Bey.
The album is lead by the single "The Happy Dictator" (feat. Sparks) which features vocalist Damon Albarn's signature vocal style over a whimsical alt beat that just pops. The album is distinct, peculiar, and undoubtably funky in all the best ways.
The album was produced by Gorillaz, James Ford, Samuel Egglenton, Remi Kabaka Jr. and Bizarrap (Orange County). Additionally, The Mountain features artists performing in five languages including: Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba. The art for the record features Jamie Hewlett's signature creative drive and features hand-drawn images of band member's Murdoc, Noodle, Russel, and 2D's adventures working on the album in India, which are available as a book or prints.
The Mountain signifies the continued evolution of the group, now nearly 25 years into their artistic journey as Gorillaz. The record features a variety of instrumentation throughout and vocal stylings anchored by Albarn.
The stylings on the record vary widely, from sitar-laced moments, to more alt/hip-hop style beats. One of our favorite moments on the record has to be "The Empty Dream Machine" (feat. Black Thought, Johnny Marr, and Anoushka). "The Empty Dream Machine" features sitar throughout along with straight up bars throughout the verses.
The Mountain just again goes to show that Albarn and Co. are still at the precipice of alt music bringing unique stylings and instrumentation to their work. Though the styles they tinker with on the record might seem like they wouldn't work, they absolutely do. We absolutely love this one and if you're a fan of the band, we think this will be right up your alley. If you are new to Gorillaz, we definitely recommend changing that ASAP and diving headfirst into the stylistic dreamscape that is The Mountain.
Rating - 4.5/5
The album, produced by Gorillaz alongside James Ford, Samuel Egglenton, Remi Kabaka Jr., and Bizarrap (Orange County), is a masterpiece that pushes creative boundaries. Featuring performances in five languages—Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba—The Mountain is a global celebration of music and culture. The https://pxhere.com/ru/photographer/4933164 record’s art, driven by Jamie Hewlett’s iconic style, showcases hand-drawn depictions of Murdoc, Noodle, Russel, and 2D’s adventures while working on the album in India.
Really enjoyed this review, it captures the layered sound and mood of the album in a way that makes you want to revisit it with fresh ears. It’s interesting how creative expression often reflects lifestyle shifts too. In a similar way, building better daily habits like following a vegan diet plan for weight loss can bring balance and clarity over time. Flypped News often explores how small lifestyle choices can shape long term wellbeing, just like evolving artistic journeys shape music.
Gorillaz’s The Mountain takes listeners on a sonic journey that blends their signature experimental style with fresh, introspective themes. The album feels like a climb—starting with energetic, beat-driven tracks that echo their earlier works, then transitioning into more reflective, atmospheric pieces as it progresses. Collaborations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keno remain a highlight, with unexpected pairings that bring unique textures to the soundscape. The production is layered and immersive, showcasing the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. The Mountain is a testament to Gorillaz’s creativity, offering both long-time fans and new listeners a dynamic and thought-provoking experience.