Gorillaz return to legendary status in climbing ‘Mountain’ of transcendental artistry
Following the poorly received launch of their eighth studio album, Cracker Island, British virtual band Gorillaz has resurrected through The Mountain, released February 27. Emanating their unique, electric sound, The Mountain’s 15 tracks boast an array of featured artists along with powerfully intricate lyricism that celebrates the vibrant collaboration of location, culture, and spiritual conception in India.
During album production, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, co-creators of Gorillaz, had lost their fathers around the same time while traveling back and forth to India. This tied into their understanding of the country with its perspective on death, afterlife, and rebirth, which allowed them to steep their own spiritual connections and emotions into The Mountain. During the recording of each track, they featured many local artists around India, with songs being recorded in Mumbai, Rajasthan, Varanasi, etc., along with vocal takes from late artists that had previously worked with Gorillaz, such as Dennis Hopper and Bobby Womack.
The popularity of the album, along with the massive popularity Gorillaz already holds, was also influenced by the release of multiple singles, followed by their respective visualizers. On September 11, 2025, Gorillaz released their first single titled “The Happy Dictator,” giving fans insight on the sound to expect in The Mountain. This single envisions a world under a god-like figure that describes the world as a haven where nothing goes awry. Gorillaz expertly manipulates their creative instrumentals and lyrics to create a critique against totalitarian propaganda and the false narrative of positivity, manipulating the media to remove all bad news from the public's eyes.
Building off of the first singles’ initial popularity and hype, Gorillaz proceeded to release four more, ending with their strongest drop, with two tracks dubbed “The Hardest Thing” and “Orange County” on January 15, 2026. “The Hardest Thing” acts as a prologue/interlude to “Orange County,” including vocals from the late Tony Allen over a soft instrumental that transitions into the next track. “Orange County” opens with a melancholic sound that aligns with the album’s themes of grief and hope. The verse, “You know the hardest thing is to say goodbye to someone you love,” reflects Albarn and Hewlett’s grief surrounding the loss of their fathers and saying goodbye to them.
When The Mountain finally dropped, the buildup was not in vain, as seen through praise from both critics and long-term Gorillaz fans. Both sides coincide, with their opinions in support of the album’s themes and melancholic yet upbeat tone from start to finish. Many fans consider The Mountain to be one of the strongest pieces of art in their discography, surpassing previous albums such as Plastic Beach and Humanz.
Opening with the title track “The Mountain,” listeners are given a clear perspective of the metaphorical mountain, which represents the spiritual peak within oneself where “all good souls come to rest,” similar to the concept of nirvana. The Mountain is seen as the destination for one’s soul before reincarnation, a belief commonly associated with religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Gorillaz uses this track to pave a spiritual path for the rest of the album by introducing prominent themes of death, afterlife, and rebirth, along with exploring how grief is inevitably woven into the fabric of one’s existence.
Embarking on the journey laid out within the opening track, Gorillaz leads listeners into “The Moon Cave,” mixing a lush psychedelic sound with traditional Indian music. A metaphysical path, whether it be a river or a light, guides the band through their transition into the afterlife and soothes the grief that comes with leaving their existences behind. Reaching their spiritual end, reality warps, and they are dropped in a slowly progressing period of time with unsound voices. Gorillaz encapsulates the atmosphere beautifully, transforming the sonic environment into one akin to a divine presence, which fits perfectly with the idea of reincarnation. Ultimately, “The Moon Cave” allows listeners to come to terms with mortality and proves how the unknown can be beautiful instead of frightening.
Swiftly altering the narrative, Gorillaz transitions the blissful vibe with the song “Casablanca,” focusing further on the ideas of grief and detachment. Gorillaz expresses knowing nothing at all, which feels like the kiss of the afterlife. However, the Mountain, although representing a spiritual peak, is comparable to an endless abyss with no way out once the journey has begun. This builds upon the deaths of Albarn’s and Hewlett’s fathers, as upon one’s loss of their life, they are set on their course towards the next incarnation of their existence.
Reflective acceptance of grief and death resonates within “The Sweet Prince.” Gorillaz offers a melancholic but appreciative tone of death, setting it against a starry night sky, a prelude to a journey to be made to the Mountain. Gorillaz continues this soft tone, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the acceptance of life, death, and rebirth.
Along with the release of the album, Gorillaz announced that they are going on a world tour in support; they also recently released a music video for “The Moon Cave” which shows vibrant imagery that feels hand in hand with the song’s psychedelic noise. Gorillaz’s The Mountain is still settling in amongst their vastly popular discography, but fans alike scream praise and appreciation for what they have done with this album.
Grade: A-
Gorillaz reach creative new heights in The Mountain, delivering a vibrant album that feels fresh and unmistakably their own.
by Blake Buss
Published March 20, 2026
Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue VI