Gorillaz return with monotone, musical meandering capturing fictional identity

Graphic by: Jad Alzoubi

Breaking onto the scene over 20 years ago with their 2001 self-titled LP Gorillaz, the English virtual band has produced their eighth studio album, Cracker Island. Released on February 24, the album features a total of 10 songs (15 if looking at the deluxe version) and invites collaborators such as Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks, Thundercat, Bad Bunny, and Adeleye Omotayo. However, a few guest stars do not detract from the enigmatic group’s vibe, as all of their members are entirely fictional, ranging from Murdoc (the bassist of the group) to Noodle (who plays the guitar and keyboard) to Russel (drummer) to 2-D (the main singer).

Originally intended to be a second season of 2020’s web series Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez, the album quickly morphed into a more traditional studio release. Unlike its predecessor, Cracker Island is a concept album in both the narrative and music. Alongside the refreshing concept, for the first time since their 2010 album Plastic Beach, there is a larger story at play.

For the actual album itself, the tracklist starts off with the lead single “Cracker Island”, having mentions of a “Forever Cult” and a “made-up paradise.” Both the “Silent Running” and “Cracker Island” music videos are interconnected, giving a look into the doings of the aforementioned “Forever Cult” and what exactly the band is up to. In the “Silent Running” music video, viewers see 2-D being used as a sacrifice, leaving the rest of the band trying to rescue him. Predictably, 2-D is saved by his fellow members, though unpredictably, he is only saved by Murdoc using a bottle of his own bath water being thrown into a monster’s mouth.

However, the abundance of hidden lore does not cover up the fact that some of the guests on the album fail to get their own moment to shine, with the notable example of Beck on “Possession Island,” only really seeming to appear for background color. This problem is even present (although much less prominent) with Nicks’ feature, “Oil”. This leads some of the tracks to feel quite emotionless, especially when the talent brought on has so much more potential.

The album shines most prominently with the music itself. Each track on the album feels right at home in the Gorillaz style, mixing all sorts of elements across the world of music. This is highlighted in “Skinny Ape,” which features the strange vocal performances and lyrics the band is known for. This is even more spotlighted in “Silent Running” with long-time Gorillaz’ Humanz Choir member Adeleye Omotayo’s vocals providing a perfect shadow to 2-D (who in reality is voiced by Gorillaz co-creator Damon Albarn) and his slightly melancholy tone.

The deluxe version of the album extends the weirdness, including three entirely new songs and two remixes. “Captain Chicken” delivers a whimsically odd song, and features a familiar Gorillaz collaborator in the form of Del The Funky Homosapien, who lent his voice most famously in tracks such as “Clint Eastwood” and “Rock the House.” Much like “Skinny Ape,” the title of the song is repeated throughout, though not executed nearly as well. As for “Controllah,” MC Bin Laden’s vocals overtake the song entirely in the best way possible, giving a refreshing break from the rest of the album by sporting an almost Daft Punk-esque feel once the chorus hits. This intermission does not last long, however, with “Crocadillaz” once again falling into that bland and boring abyss that encapsulates Cracker Island.

Even with its flaws, Cracker Island provides an enjoyable listening experience to fans and casuals alike, featuring an elite guest list and production right at home in the band’s style. Tracks such as “Silent Running,” “Cracker Island,” and “Skinny Ape” highlight the creativity and potential of the album, but the monotony that some songs comes few and far between. With eight albums in their discography and more than 20 years of experience under their belt, Albarn leaves the album with hopes of a bright future ahead for the fictional group saying in the album’s closer, “And we’re all in this together ‘til the end/’Til the end.”

B+: Though slightly held back by monotonous tones in some of the tracks, Cracker Island delights listeners with Gorillaz’s most laid-back and pleasurable albums.

by Evan Parfitt

Published March 17, 2023

Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue VI