Who’s going to be on the next Gorillaz album? Honestly, that’s the question keeping fans up at night — and with Damon Albarn confirming that it’s coming in 2025 and it’ll feature four different languages, the speculation has reached fever pitch. Gorillaz have never been predictable when it comes to features, so why start now? That said, if you’ve followed Damon’s career long enough, there are some strong hints out there — and plenty of wild possibilities to get excited about.
Let’s start with the obvious: Albarn is clearly in a global mood. Four languages suggest collaborators from across the world. Spanish is almost certainly in the mix — he’s already teamed up with Bad Bunny, and there’s a good chance we’ll see Rosalía pop up this time. She’s bold, theatrical, genre-fluid, and frankly, a perfect match for the Gorillaz aesthetic. Another Spanish-language pick could be C. Tangana, whose flamenco-meets-trap vibe would add heat and drama.
On the French front, with Damon spending time in Paris working on an opera, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine Christine and the Queens jumping in. Their avant-pop sensibility, fluid identity, and theatrical presence fit right into the animated universe. Aya Nakamura would also be a killer choice — her icy, addictive delivery over bouncy beats would sound incredible next to a dark Damon hook.
The Middle East is another region Damon’s been vocal about recently — especially his desire to collaborate with musicians from Israel and Palestine. If he follows through, we might see something truly powerful and unexpected. Artists like Noga Erez (from Israel) or DAM (a Palestinian hip-hop group) would not only be musically exciting but politically resonant. It’s bold territory, but Gorillaz aren’t known for playing it safe. If Albarn really wanted to make a statement, bringing in artists from both sides of a conflict to share the same sonic space would be huge.
Africa has always had a strong presence in Damon’s work, particularly through Africa Express. He’s worked with Fatoumata Diawara before, and she’s got the kind of voice that can soar over Gorillaz’s dreamy, layered production. Another exciting pick would be Tems — her cool, airy vocal style, already proven on tracks with Drake and Future, would bring something soulful and current. And if Damon wants to go into bouncier, Afrobeats territory, why not Rema or Ayra Starr? Both are young, experimental, and exactly the kind of artists who could give Gorillaz a whole new rhythmic edge.
Back to the UK for a moment — there are always a few returnees to consider. Little Simz feels like an obvious pick; her past Gorillaz feature was fire, and her own star has only risen since. Damon’s respect for her is clear, and her lyrical dexterity would be a great contrast to the dreamy, abstract soundscapes the band often builds.
Slowthai could also make a return, bringing manic energy and unpredictability. And then there’s Shygirl, who’s been blowing up with her icy electronic pop. Pair her with Jamie Hewlett’s visuals and you’ve got pure magic. Also, keep an eye out for Obongjayar — his smoky, soulful vocals and genreless sound have Damon written all over them.
If we move further afield, Japanese Breakfast could be a dreamy addition, bringing that soft indie melancholy to balance out the funkier tracks. Rina Sawayama is another wildcard — British-Japanese, fluent in both languages, and known for mixing metal, pop, and Y2K aesthetics. You just know Jamie Hewlett would have a field day animating that. If Damon wants something more meditative, maybe Ichiko Aoba, who creates ethereal Japanese folk that could be warped into something gorgeously haunting.
Let’s not forget Albarn’s more recent collaborators and friendships. He’s worked closely with Tony Allen, and while the legendary drummer has passed, a posthumous tribute or drum track could make it onto the record. Similarly, he’s always had a deep admiration for Brian Eno, who’s dabbled in Gorillaz remixes before — maybe this time he steps into a more direct role.
And what if Damon goes completely off-script and gets FKA twigs? Her voice, her aesthetic, her approach to sound — it’s basically tailor-made for Gorillaz. Or Arca, if we’re getting wild. Albarn has shown love for boundary-pushing artists before, and Arca’s alien soundscapes could take the project into deeply strange and wonderful places.
One more fun possibility: Anderson .Paak. He’s funky, playful, and never afraid to be weird. His energy would mesh beautifully with a danceable Gorillaz track. Or Remi Wolf, whose candy-coated chaos could bring a dose of chaotic joy to the record.
Even Kevin Parker of Tame Impala fame could sneak in — his dreamy production and Damon’s melancholy songwriting would be an otherworldly combination. The more you think about it, the more you realise Damon has almost no limits — and that’s exactly why fans are so hyped.
So what will the new Gorillaz album sound like? In true Gorillaz fashion: probably everything, all at once — filtered through four languages, across four continents, and with a cast of collaborators that no other band on the planet could bring together. One thing is certain: Damon Albarn is cooking something wild, and it’s going to be well worth the wait.
