Head's up- a new Gorillaz album is coming up in 2025!
Damon Albarn has pulled back the curtain on his whirlwind of creativity, revealing that he’s been “buried in music-making” and, in a twist, the upcoming Gorillaz album will feature four different languages.
Speaking to The Sun, the Blur and Gorillaz frontman shared how the post-reunion rush of Blur didn’t slow him down one bit. “It’s been non-stop,” he said. “I was staging an opera in Paris while diving into the new Gorillaz record. Honestly, it’s been mad. But, let’s face it, the whole world’s gone mad, so none of this feels strange anymore.”
He added, “I’ve been ridiculously busy creating music -that’s my heartbeat. I guess I’ll have to start letting people hear it soon. There’s always this metaphorical dustbin bag of songs waiting to be tipped out and recycled into something new.”
While earlier this year Albarn hinted that fans might get the record in 2025, he told The Times that the album won’t drop until 2026. Still, he left us with a tantalising tease: “My new Gorillaz record is in four languages!”
On Britpop’s Fiercest Rivalry
In the same interview with The Sun, Albarn gave a surprisingly humble take on the legendary Britpop face-off between Blur and Oasis. Reflecting on the 1995 chart showdown, where Blur’s Country House beat Oasis’ Roll With It, he now shrugs it off:
“Oasis won — the battle, the war, the whole campaign. Let’s be real, it was obvious, wasn’t it?” he admitted. “They’re the victors. They’ve got the crown. I’m happy to step aside and concede. This summer belongs to them, and good on them. I hope it’s brilliant for everyone. I’ll be in a very, very different place.”
He even cheekily called himself “prophetic” for predicting the Gallagher brothers would eventually patch things up. “I mean, come on two brothers? They were always going to reconcile. It’s a good thing.”
On Music and Missteps
Albarn also spoke to The Times about wanting to collaborate with artists in Palestine and Israel amidst the ongoing war. He took a swipe at the controversy stirred by Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, calling it “one of the most spectacular misfires I’ve ever witnessed.”
The rap-punk act faced backlash after chanting “death to the IDF” and making provocative gestures during their set. “When he started goose-stepping in tennis whites — I mean, I’ve done some questionable things on stage, but not quite that bad. Testosterone takes over, you lose perspective. It’s a shame, but everyone’s just on edge these days,” Albarn remarked.
Upcoming Gorillaz Shows
Fans won’t have to wait until 2026 for a taste of Gorillaz magic. The band is gearing up for a series of exclusive shows between August 29 and September 3 at London’s Copper Box Arena. Each night, Albarn and the full Gorillaz crew will perform one of their iconic albums from start to finish, paired with immersive visuals by co-founder Jamie Hewlett.
To top it all off, there’s a mystery gig scheduled for September 3 2025, though details remain tightly under wraps. These shows will also coincide with the final week of their House of Kong exhibition — an unmissable treat for fans.