Full Breakdown
Gorillaz Announces New Album "The Mountain" and UK/Ireland Tour
9/11/2025, 11:56:18 PM
Overview of "The Mountain" Album
Gorillaz, the virtual band co-founded by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, has officially announced their ninth studio album titled *The Mountain*, set for release on March 20, 2026. This album marks the first release under their newly established label, KONG. The lead single, “The Happy Dictator,” featuring the art-pop duo Sparks, is already available for streaming. The album will include 15 tracks, showcasing a diverse array of guest artists such as Black Thought, Johnny Marr, IDLES, Anoushka Shankar, Yasiin Bey, and Paul Simonon, among others.
Recording and Themes
*The Mountain* was recorded in various locations, including Mumbai, New Delhi, and Rajasthan in India, as well as studios in London, Ashgabat, Damascus, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. The album is described as a "musical meditation infused with light," reflecting themes of life, death, and transition. Albarn and Hewlett have indicated that the album's narrative follows the animated band members—Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, 2D, and Noodle—as they navigate their artistic journey in India, having turned their backs on mainstream pop stardom.
Tracklist and Collaborations
The album features contributions from both living and deceased collaborators, including Bobby Womack, Dave Jolicoeur (Trugoy the Dove of De La Soul), and Mark E. Smith. The tracklist includes:
1. The Mountain (feat. Dennis Hopper, Ajay Prasanna, Anoushka Shankar, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash)
2. The Moon Cave (feat. Asha Puthli, Bobby Womack, Dave Jolicoeur, Jalen Ngonda, and Black Thought)
3. The Happy Dictator (feat. Sparks)
4. The Hardest Thing (feat. Tony Allen)
5. Orange County (feat. Bizarrap, Kara Jackson, and Anoushka Shankar)
6. The God of Lying (feat. IDLES)
7. The Empty Dream Machine (feat. Black Thought, Johnny Marr, and Anoushka Shankar)
8. The Manifesto (feat. Trueno and Proof)
9. The Plastic Guru (feat. Johnny Marr and Anoushka Shankar)
10. Delirium (feat. Mark E. Smith)
11. Damascus (feat. Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey)
12. The Shadowy Light (feat. Asha Bhosle, Gruff Rhys, Ajay Prasanna, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash)
13. Casablanca (feat. Paul Simonon and Johnny Marr)
14. The Sweet Prince (feat. Ajay Prasanna, Johnny Marr, and Anoushka Shankar)
15. The Sad God (feat. Black Thought, Ajay Prasanna, and Anoushka Shankar)
Upcoming Tour Details
To celebrate the album's release, Gorillaz will embark on a UK and Ireland tour starting March 21, 2026, in Manchester. The tour will include stops in Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool, Belfast, and Dublin, culminating in a headline show at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20, 2026, featuring support from Sparks and Trueno.
Official Statements
In a press release, the band emphasized the album's exploration of existential themes, with Albarn stating, “This is a playlist for a party on the border between this world and whatever happens next.” Drummer Russel Hobbs added, “As space dust we are here forever and that’s a mighty long time. This is a musical meditation infused with light.”
Conclusion
*The Mountain* promises to be a significant addition to Gorillaz's discography, blending various musical influences and featuring a wide range of collaborators. The upcoming tour is anticipated to further engage fans with the band's evolving narrative and artistic vision.
