Attention, Gorillaz stans! Get cracking on our track-by-track

Being part of the Gorillaz stanclub is extremely all-encompassing and richly rewarding (if you don’t own a hard copy of their almanac, best put your hand down!).

But they’re equally appealing – to all ages and (most) genre preferences – just based on musical merit alone. I mean, this virtual band’s primary influences – aesthetically – are Hanna-Barbera, Looney Tunes, and Mad magazine, so falling down a rabbit hole of their kaleidoscopic content is a guaranteed hoot.

Whereas featured vocalists hogged the mic throughout Gorillaz’ preceding Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez set, 2-D (voiced by Damon Albarn, but in character, he sounds different somehow; more distant and melancholy) plays a more pivotal role on Cracker Island. There’s still an abundance of guest-artist goodness, mind: Thundercat, Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala, Bootie Brown, and Beck! Seriously, who remains on the Gorillaz fantasy collab wishlist? We’d sure love a copy of 2-D’s little black book.

On their eighth album, these “cartoon G”s ping from pop to Reggaeton, funk to frantic techno, capable of riling up the chillest toddler. There’s an abundance of hidden treasures here for all your ear-worshipping needs. Cracker Island is a cracking listen.

Narrative update: Gorillaz relocated to the City of Angels from West London and started The Last Cult (Murdoc declaring himself The Great Leader). The Forever Cult (who allegedly all wear blue) live next door. 2-D develops an unhealthy obsession for The Forever Cult’s leader: Moon Flower...

Cracker Island (feat. Thundercat)

This lead single and title track features Thundercat’s percussive falsetto – the “forever cult” / “What world is this?” side of the lyrical story – and unmistakable bass flex. The animated music video, directed by Jamie Hewlett and Fx Goby, features the fictional band members 2-D, Russel and Noodle at the LA County Hospital on a rainy night. Noodle and 2-D – who seems to be hallucinating visions of Thundercat – are being questioned by police.

“Out there on my Silver Lake” refers to the coolsie LA district where Gorillaz set up their cult. We appreciate this song’s casually danceable beat and funky, sporadic guitar hook that calls Music Sounds Better With You by Stardust to mind.

Oil (feat. Stevie Nicks)

Why do we so adore Damon (ahem, 2-D)’s occasional and ever-so-slight Alan Seale-esque whistle-lisp while he sings (see: Oil’s first verse, in particular). Stevie Nicks flirts with her deeper, huskier vocal edges to great effect during this creeper, her timbre landing earthy and wise, like a hippie godmother, to contrast 2-D’s airy innocence: “Individual actions change the world/ Fill them up with love,” they both sing.

The Tired Influencer

I mean, top points for the LOL-worthy title. We visualise the titular figure yawning indulgently in a bed fitted out with the finest 1200-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets after waking up bleary-eyed on a luxury yacht. Then that sinking feeling sets in: ‘Ugh, better order some room service (especially a coffee), then start scrolling through some pic options at my leisure.’

Silent Running (feat. Adeleye Omotayo)

This one features a gently swaying, Walking on a Dream tempo, with distant “de-de-de-de” vocal percussion, which calls a chugging PacMan to mind. Such a top-notch, wistful, whistling melody!

Adeleye Omotayo is one of the current members of The Humanz Choir, formed by Gorillaz in 2017 (for their Humanz tour, before becoming an ongoing concern)... “I got caught up in nowhere again.”

Also, this song title makes us think of zombies for some reason.

Also-also: check out the video, which shows just what exactly went on under the Hollywood sign that got the Gorillaz into the hospital-and-cops situation in the first place...

New Gold (feat. Tame Impala and Bootie Brown)

What's that? Who’s Bootie Brown? Just check out The Pharcyde’s Passin’ Me By – you’re more than welcome (and cheers for the reminder, Gorillaz).

We’ve been frothing over the prospect of a Gorillaz/Tame Impala collab since forever, and, oh, my! New Gold’s intro sounds like a UFO beaming us up or a treasure chest full of shiny objects gleaming seductively as it’s opened. Then ‘our’ genius Kevin Parker’s delicious, cascading vocal hook captures our heart, and we smile from within: “I wonder if she knows that we’re underwater” – sung in a melody that dips and hovers like a gently dropped feather.

Check out this self-referential lyrical Easter egg: “Like Shaun, he's a Ryder/ Took on a dare” – geddit? Shaun Ryder featured on Gorillaz' track Dare, from their 2005 album Demon Days.

We’ve also been told to listen out for shout-outs to A Fish Called Wanda, Elon Musk and Pauly Shore.

Baby Queen

The story goes that Baby Queen was inspired by a true story involving the crown princess of Thailand, who attended a Blur show in 1997. “Song 2 started, and she stood on her throne and stage-dived into the crowd,” Albarn recalled during an interview with LA Times. The princess was aged 14 at the time and watched the show from her afore-mentioned royal chair, which was placed beside the mixing desk and surrounded by soldiers.

Tarantula

Gamer noises and tinkling piano open this shiny slice of uplifting goodness. What sounds like a delighted cartoon character, skipping along contentedly, sings: “If you're good for you me/ Then I'm good for you” – dat Noodle? The song title may be scary, but this is a waggy-tailed, happy puppy of a track.

Tormenta (feat. Bad Bunny)

This Reggaeton joint glistens with Bad Bunny’s irresistible Caribbean flava.

Skinny Ape

The fourth single to be lifted off the album, Skinny Ape was premiered via “immersive performance” in Times Square.

Meanwhile: talk about two tracks in one! The mid-song detour is so unexpected and sudden that you could be forgiven for thinking someone’s hijacked your speakers. “Don’t be sad for me (ape)/ I’m a cartoon G (ape)...” Then there’s a massive freak-out section, that’s bound to catapult toddlers into a hyper rampage. Pogoing en masse to this heckers segment in a live setting has just gotta elevate serotonin levels, right?

Possession Island (feat. Beck)

The album’s acoustic closer gives us Touch Me by The Doors vibes (the woozy, “I’m gonna love ya, ‘til the heavens stop the rain...” bridge section). An excellent selection for a slow dance with a loved one.

After a mariachi band peacocks unexpectedly through the arrangement, like a vibrant double-rainbow of hope, this song – and the album proper – concludes thusly: “Where things, they don't exist/ And we’re all in this together ‘til the end...”

We can actually visualise Damon and Beck gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes, basking in mutual admiration, while unison-singing this one – which gives the world (our own, and the Gorillaz') that little extra bit of bright hope.