Gorillaz- The Happy Dictator - A Detailed Look At The Lyrics

Gorillaz, the virtual band masterminded by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, has long used its platform to hold a distorted, funhouse mirror up to contemporary society. From the dystopian consumerism of Plastic Beach to the fractured digital anxiety of Humanz, their work serves as a critical commentary on the modern condition. “The Happy Dictator,” a track from the album The Mountain, continues this tradition with chilling precision. 

It is not merely a song but a sonic dissection of a particularly insidious form of modern authoritarianism: one that doesn’t seize power through brute force alone, but through the promised salvation from anxiety, chaos, and the self. It is the soundtrack to a demagogue who offers blissful ignorance in exchange for absolute freedom.

The title itself is a masterful oxymoron that establishes the song’s central thesis. A “dictator” is, by definition, a figure of oppression, control, and fear. To prefix it with “happy” immediately creates a sense of unease, pointing to a regime that maintains power not through overt terror but through the manufactured consent of a sedated and content populace. This is the “velvet glove” mentioned in the first verse—a soft, appealing exterior masking an iron fist of control.

The song’s narrative voice is a chilling monologue from this titular dictator, delivered through the haunting, detached tones of 2-D and the unnervingly cheerful, cult-leader evangelism of featured artist Russell Mael of Sparks. Their vocal interplay is crucial. His voice, often soaring and theatrical, embodies the charismatic, public-facing savior, the one who promises “life again” and to “save your soul, amen” in the intro. 2-D’s softer, more melanchonic delivery represents the weary citizen, perhaps already partially seduced, echoing the dictator’s promises with a hollowed-out compliance. This duality makes the propaganda feel both triumphant and tragically internalized.

The lyrics are a playbook for this new form of control, targeting very modern ailments. The dictator doesn’t appeal to strength or national pride; he preys on vulnerability. He calls to those who are “empty and abstracted,” whose “broken heart is full of rage.” 

In a hyper-connected, overwhelming world where individuals feel powerless against vast systemic forces—be they algorithmic, economic, or political—this offer is potent. The song accurately identifies a core desperation: the desire to be free from the exhausting burden of selfhood and the relentless torrent of “bad news.”

This is where the song’s chorus reveals its dark heart. The promise is not of justice, freedom, or truth, but of mental peace through ignorance: “No more bad news / So you can sleep well at night.” The “palace of your mind will be bright” not because it is filled with light of its own making, but because a single, state-sanctioned narrative has been installed, blinding it to any complicating or distressing facts. This is a direct commentary on the modern media landscape, where algorithms create echo chambers, and the temptation to disengage from complex global issues in favor of simple, curated content is overwhelming. The Happy Dictator is the ultimate algorithm, promising to filter reality itself.

The use of the word “pharmakon” in the first verse is a deeply intellectual and revealing choice. In philosophy, particularly in the works of Jacques Derrida, pharmakon is a Greek term meaning both “remedy” and “poison.” The dictator acknowledges that his solution is a toxic one—it paralyzes the “empire” (which could be the individual’s will or a nation’s critical faculties) even as it promises to cure it. 

This is the Faustian bargain at the song’s core: trade your autonomy, your critical thinking, and your connection to a messy reality for the blissful, simplified happiness he offers. The line “look into the coffin and let me grant your wish” is the most terrifying moment of all. It suggests that the wish for peace is ultimately a death wish—the death of the autonomous self. The coffin is the final, quiet, and “happy” end of individuality.

The second verse further explores the mechanics of this control, capturing the paradoxical pace of modern life: “Everything is slowing down yet everything is faster.” This speaks to a society numbed by consumption and distraction (“while everyone’s consuming”) while the world itself spirals faster into crisis. The dictator’s offer to “save you from yourself” is the ultimate sales pitch for authoritarianism. It suggests that the individual self, with its doubts, fears, and desires, is the problem, and the solution is to subsume it into the collective will of the leader. The “world of fiction” is key; the dictator is aware he is constructing a narrative, a simulacrum that is preferable to reality. He is the author, and the citizens are both his audience and his characters.

Musically, one can imagine Gorillaz framing this lyric with a sound that is deceptively upbeat. The constant, cheerful refrain of “Oh, what a happy land we live in,” sung in a manner reminiscent of a Broadway musical or a commercial jingle, acts as a brainwashing mantra. It’s the enforced positivity that must be repeated until it becomes truth, despite all evidence to the contrary. The repetitive, almost hypnotic “Ah, ah, ah, ah” hooks function similarly—they are sonic sedatives, lulling the listener into the trance the lyrics describe.

In conclusion, “The Happy Dictator” is a profound and unsettling work that transcends simple political critique. It is a psychological profile of the 21st-century desire for escapism and the dangerous figures who promise to provide it. Gorillaz are not just warning us about a dictator in a palace; they are warning us about the dictator within ourselves—the part that is so tired, so enraged, and so abstracted that it would willingly “look into the coffin” for a good night’s sleep. The song argues that the most potent and terrifying tyranny is not one that cages the body, but one that willingly, gratefully imprisons the mind in a bright, happy, and gilded palace. It is a timeless warning delivered with urgent, contemporary relevance.

Song Lyrics

[Intro: Russell Mael]

I am the one to give you life again
I am the one to save your soul, amen

[Verse 1: 2-D & Russell Mael]
As the shadows, they are forming, come and join me centre stage (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
If you're empty and abstracted and your broken heart is full of rage (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
In a world of fiction, I am a velvet glove (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
I am your soul, your resurrection, I am the love (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
So look out to the west now, see where the devil lies (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
Its pharmakon is with you and your empire it is paralysed (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
I'll propagate eternity and seal it with my kiss (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
So look into the coffin and let me grant your wish (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)

[Chorus: 2-D & Russell Mael]
No more bad news
So you can sleep well at night
And the palace of your mind will be bright
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

[Verse 2: 2-D & Russell Mael]
Everything is slowing down yet everything is faster (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
While everyone's consuming I'll save you from yourself (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
Upon this world of fiction, my love I will bestow (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
And as we march into the future, happiness will grow (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)

Gorillaz- The Happy Dictator (Song Lyrics)

Gorillaz

The Happy Dictator

Single from Album: The Mountain 

[Intro: Russell Mael]
I am the one to give you life again
I am the one to save your soul, amen

[Verse 1: 2-D & Russell Mael]
As the shadows, they are forming, come and join me centre stage (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
If you're empty and abstracted and your broken heart is full of rage (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
In a world of fiction, I am a velvet glove (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
I am your soul, your resurrection, I am the love (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
So look out to the west now, see where the devil lies (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
Its pharmakon is with you and your empire it is paralysed (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
I'll propagate eternity and seal it with my kiss (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
So look into the coffin and let me grant your wish (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)

[Chorus: 2-D & Russell Mael]
No more bad news
So you can sleep well at night
And the palace of your mind will be bright
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

[Verse 2: 2-D & Russell Mael]
Everything is slowing down yet everything is faster (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
While everyone's consuming I'll save you from yourself (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)
Upon this world of fiction, my love I will bestow (Oh, what a happy land we live in)
And as we march into the future, happiness will grow (Oh, what a happy land, oh, yeah)

New Gorillaz Album 2025 - Out Now

Damon Albarn has unveiled the long-awaited next chapter in the Gorillaz discography. Titled The Mountain, the band’s first album since 2023’s Cracker Island is slated for release on March 20 via their freshly launched label, Kong. The album spans 15 tracks and kicks off with a striking new single, “Happy Dictator”, featuring none other than Sparks.

The record’s production credits include Gorillaz themselves, alongside James Ford, Samuel Egglenton, and Remi Kabaka Jr., with special input from Argentine producer Bizarrap. Recording sessions took place at Albarn’s own Studio 13 in London, his studio in Devon, and spanned across India (Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Varanasi), Turkmenistan (Ashgabat), Syria (Damascus), and cities across the United States including Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.

The Mountain brings Gorillaz’s signature global sound into even sharper focus, with guest appearances that span five languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba. Among the album’s diverse collaborators are Idles, Kara Jackson, Yasiin Bey, Johnny Marr, Black Thought, Anoushka Shankar, and Omar Souleyman. There are also pow
erful posthumous contributions from Bobby Womack, Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, Dennis Hopper, Mark E. Smith, Proof, and Tony Allen, creating a rich sonic archive that blurs past and present.

Scroll down for the full tracklist and upcoming UK & Ireland tour dates, which kick off March 21 in Manchester and feature guests like Trueno and Sparks on select shows.

The Mountain Tracklist:

1. The Mountain (feat. Dennis Hopper, Ajay Prasanna, Anoushka Shankar, Amaan Ali Bangash & Ayaan Ali Bangash)

2. The Moon Cave (feat. Asha Puthli, Bobby Womack, Dave Jolicoeur, Jalen Ngonda & Black Thought)

3. The Happy Dictator (feat. Sparks)

4. The Hardest Thing (feat. Tony Allen)

5. Orange County (feat. Bizarrap, Kara Jackson & Anoushka Shankar)

6. The God of Lying (feat. Idles)

7. The Empty Dream Machine (feat. Black Thought, Johnny Marr & Anoushka Shankar)

8. The Manifesto (feat. Trueno & Proof)

9. The Plastic Guru (feat. Johnny Marr & Anoushka Shankar)

10. Delirium (feat. Mark E. Smith)

11. Damascus (feat. Omar Souleyman & Yasiin Bey)

12. The Shadowy Light (feat. Asha Bhosle, Gruff Rhys, Ajay Prasanna, Amaan Ali Bangash & Ayaan Ali Bangash)

13. Casablanca (feat. Paul Simonon & Johnny Marr)

14. The Sweet Prince (feat. Ajay Prasanna, Johnny Marr & Anoushka Shankar)

15. The Sad God (feat. Black Thought, Ajay Prasanna & Anoushka Shankar)

UK + Ireland Tour Dates:

• 03-21 – Manchester, England – Co-op Live

• 03-22 – Birmingham, England – BP Pulse Live

• 03-24 – Glasgow, Scotland – OVO Hydro *

• 03-25 – Leeds, England – First Direct Arena *

• 03-27 – Cardiff, Wales – Utilita Arena *

• 03-28 – Nottingham, England – Motorpoint Arena *

• 03-29 – Liverpool, England – M&S Bank Arena *

• 03-31 – Belfast, Northern Ireland – SSE Arena *

• 04-01 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena *

• 06-20 – London, England – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ^*

* with Trueno
^ with Sparks

How Rock Stars Relax and Pamper Themselves

 

Life in the spotlight may look glamorous, but behind the curtain, rock stars often live a whirlwind of endless touring, late-night shows, and creative demands. With such a high-energy lifestyle, it’s no surprise that many musicians seek unique ways to relax and recharge. From indulgent spa routines to the calming comfort of a walk-in bath, rock stars have found their own rituals for self-care.

The Balance Between Chaos and Calm

While music thrives on intensity and passion, even the most iconic figures need downtime. Touring across continents, juggling interviews, and performing in front of thousands can take a toll on both mind and body. To maintain balance, many rock stars schedule dedicated relaxation days where the focus shifts from amplifiers and soundchecks to peace and restoration.

Walk-In Baths: A Luxurious Escape

One surprisingly popular indulgence among performers is the use of walk in baths. Unlike standard tubs, walk-in baths are designed for both safety and comfort, making them ideal for easing muscle aches after a physically demanding activity. The therapeutic benefits—warm water jets, ergonomic seating, and the ability to soak without strain—offer a level of relaxation perfectly suited to artists recovering from the physical demands of touring. For a rock star, slipping into a walk-in bath isn't just about luxury; it's about giving the body the reset it desperately needs.

Damon Albarn’s Calming Approach

Damon Albarn, frontman of Blur and co-creator of Gorillaz, is known for his restless creativity. Yet even for someone constantly experimenting with sound, Albarn emphasises the importance of slowing down. Away from the stage, he has often spoken about his love for quiet spaces, where he can reflect and unwind. For an artist like Albarn, relaxation can be as much about mental clarity as physical rest. Whether it's retreating into nature, spending time with family, or indulging in calming rituals, his approach underscores how essential it is for even the busiest musicians to nurture themselves.

Spa Treatments and Massage Rituals

Many musicians complement their relaxation routines with professional spa treatments. Deep tissue massages are especially popular, helping to ease the strain of repetitive performances. Rock stars often spend hours gripping instruments, moving across stage floors, or headbanging under hot lights—activities that push their bodies to the limit. A therapeutic massage not only soothes the body but also encourages better sleep, which is crucial for artists constantly crossing time zones.

Meditation, Yoga, and Mindful Escapes

The mental demands of fame can be just as taxing as the physical. Increasingly, rock stars are turning to mindfulness practices, including meditation and yoga. These practices help them quiet the noise of public life, reconnect with themselves, and stay grounded. Yoga, in particular, provides both a mental and physical reset, stretching muscles tightened from touring while also calming the mind.

Pampering Beyond the Ordinary

For some, pampering goes beyond traditional relaxation. Rock stars are known to enjoy exotic wellness retreats, private saunas, or even holistic therapies like sound baths. These unique experiences allow them to step away from the demands of celebrity life and reconnect with their creative spirit. Whether it's floating in a sensory-deprivation tank or taking a long soak in a walk-in bath, the goal remains the same: to find tranquillity amid chaos.

Image attributed to Pixabay.com

What Could Be on the New 2025 Gorillaz Album? Clues, Collaborations, Surprises

With Damon Albarn confirming a brand-new Gorillaz album arriving in 2025, speculation is swirling about what fans can expect from the ever-evolving virtual band. Between cryptic interviews, Jamie Hewlett's Instagram confirmation, and a few tantalising quotes in the press, we’re starting to get a picture albeit a surreal, animated one of what’s to come.

From Albarn’s recent comments, we know three key things:

1. The album is due out in 2025/2026.

2. It will feature lyrics in four languages.

3. He’s been working intensively on it alongside his opera, The Magic Flute II, La Malédiction.

That’s more than enough to spark our imaginations. So, let’s dive into the possibilities.

Multilingual Madness: What Are the Four Languages?

The most intriguing teaser so far is that the album will be in four languages. Gorillaz have always operated without national or linguistic borders, and Albarn is no stranger to working with global artists from Mali to Puerto Rico. This could mark the most culturally diverse Gorillaz release yet.

Speculatively, we might see:

• French – fitting given Albarn’s ongoing opera work in Paris and his French media interviews.

• Spanish – Gorillaz collaborated with Bad Bunny on Tormenta, and Albarn has previously shown love for Latin American music.

• Arabic or Hebrew – Albarn recently expressed interest in working with artists from Israel and Palestine, which may be reflected here.

• English – naturally, the band’s core language won’t be left behind.

A multilingual Gorillaz album not only fits the global chaos of the times but may also symbolise Albarn’s intent to transcend political borders through art.

Who Might Feature?

A Gorillaz album wouldn’t be complete without an eclectic mix of guest stars. Past collaborators include Lou Reed, Bobby Womack, Vince Staples, Kali Uchis, Elton John, and Little Simz. On Cracker Island alone, Albarn brought in Thundercat, Stevie Nicks, and Bad Bunny, showing that he’s still pulling A-list guests into the animated universe.

Given his recent remarks and activity, a few strong contenders for the new album include:

• African artists: Albarn continues to champion his Africa Express project, which brings together artists across the African continent. We might see a fresh feature from artists like Fatoumata Diawara, Moonchild Sanelly, or Burna Boy.

• Middle Eastern voices: Following his commentary on wanting to work with musicians from Palestine and Israel, it’s possible that rising voices from this region could be spotlighted — a powerful move in today’s climate.

• European or French artists: As Albarn is based in Paris for his opera, collaborations with French musicians (perhaps Christine and the Queens, Orelsan, or Aya Nakamura) wouldn’t be a stretch.

• Longtime friends: Don’t rule out a return from De La Soul, Little Dragon, or Damon’s Blur bandmate Graham Coxon, either.

Albarn has always approached collaboration with a sense of creative freedom. In past interviews, he’s described Gorillaz as a platform where ideas can emerge spontaneously, saying, “I like making records that feel like a conversation between cultures.”

Sound and Themes: What Will It Feel Like?

While Cracker Island leaned into funky synths, surreal escapism, and satire of cult culture, the next album may take a different turn. Albarn has described the current world as “crazy” and “hysterical” — themes which may well find their way into the music.

Given Albarn’s protest against AI in music — he recently joined over a thousand musicians on a silent album opposing the UK government’s stance — we might see themes of technological anxiety, identity, and resistance woven into the record. Expect eerie electronic textures, dystopian undertones, and philosophical lyrics veiled in pop hooks — classic Gorillaz fare.

And considering Albarn is juggling this alongside an opera, the album may also include orchestral interludes, theatrical arrangements, or even a narrative structure. He’s no stranger to concept-driven projects (Plastic Beach, Humanz), and with the mention of a six-week deadline to finish it, the pressure could fuel something urgent, raw, and experimental.

Live Shows and the Visual World

The new album will also coincide with a series of Gorillaz live performances in London this August and September, where the band will play their past albums in full. These shows, alongside their House of Kong exhibition, suggest that Gorillaz are preparing fans for a bigger narrative arc — perhaps one that this new album will complete or expand.

Jamie Hewlett’s visual contributions will likely follow suit, creating a vivid, possibly cross-cultural animated world that matches the album’s global sound.

If Damon Albarn's recent activity is any indication, the upcoming Gorillaz album will be genre-defying, globe-trotting, and multi-lingual — a sonic antidote to modern chaos and division. With cryptic hints and the usual Gorillaz secrecy, the record could turn out to be a dazzling collage of collaboration, commentary, and catharsis.

One thing’s for sure: it won’t be boring.

Damon Albarn: “Oasis Won the Battle, the War, the Campaign- Everything”

After decades of playful rivalry, Damon Albarn has finally tipped his hat to Oasis, declaring them the ultimate victors of the Britpop era.

The 57-year-old Blur frontman, whose band famously went head-to-head with Oasis during the 1990s, has now “conceded defeat” following the overwhelming demand for tickets to the Gallagher brothers' long-awaited reunion tour.

Reflecting on the infamous Battle of Britpop — when Blur’s Country House beat Oasis’ Roll With It to Number One in 1995, Albarn told The Sun:

“Well, it was obvious, wasn’t it? I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything. 

They are the winners. They take first place. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, I am happy to accept and concede defeat. 

It’s their summer and God bless them. I hope everyone has a wonderful time but I’m going to be in a very, very different place.”

Albarn also shared his thoughts on the emotional toll of reunions — something he experienced himself when Blur played Wembley Stadium in 2023 and expressed admiration for the sheer scale of Oasis' current tour.

“I couldn’t do as many gigs as they’re doing. That’s a lot of the same emotion.
They’re very brave and I hope it’s worth it. You know, money isn’t everything.”

Still, he remains nostalgic for the 90s but not stuck in the past.

“I’m not being funny but it does feel like a more innocent, joyous age than now.
Nostalgia’s OK but I try and stay away from it as much as possible. Sometimes you can’t help but be lost in it.”

While Britpop memories swirl, Albarn has kept his creative engine running. From Gorillaz to his ongoing work with Africa Express, he’s embraced collaboration and stepped away from the spotlight.

“I killed Damon the pop star many years ago. It was a gentle death. I’m just not that interested in being the centre of attention. 

Don’t get me wrong, I embrace it when it’s necessary but it’s only a bit of me.
And Africa Express is always an amazing opportunity just to become one of many.”

Damon Albarn Spotted With New Girlfriend 2025

Blur frontman Damon Albarn was seen enjoying a quiet stroll through London earlier this week with a new female companion, marking the first time he has been spotted publicly with someone new since his highly publicised split from long-term partner Suzi Winstanley.

The 57-year-old musician kept his look casual in a white T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, while his mystery companion opted for a camouflage jumpsuit. The pair were seen walking Albarn’s dog before stopping by a corner shop to pick up snacks and other essentials during the outing.

Albarn’s appearance comes two years after the end of his 25-year relationship with Winstanley, an artist known for her collaborative wildlife work with Olly Williams. The couple, who share a 25-year-old daughter, Missy, were said to have kept their separation discreet, only confiding in close friends.

A source revealed in 2023 that Winstanley was heartbroken by the breakup, which was reportedly influenced by Albarn’s busy travel schedule and preference for spending extended periods of time at his Devon home, where he had set up a recording studio. “Suzi really tried to make it work,” the insider shared at the time. “It was incredibly sad for her when it ended.”

Winstanley was so affected by the split that she reportedly found it difficult to listen to Albarn’s 2023 Blur album, The Ballad of Darren. The record, widely interpreted as a reflection on their relationship, includes candid lyrics hinting at regret and loss. 

In The Ballad, Albarn sings, “I just looked into my life / And all I saw was that you’re not coming back,” while St. Charles Square opens with the line, “I f***** up / I’m not the first to do it,” suggesting personal responsibility for the breakdown.

Albarn and Winstanley first met in the late 1990s, shortly after his split from Elastica’s Justine Frischmann. At the time, Albarn was living in a Ladbroke Grove flat with cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, who would go on to co-create Gorillaz with him. By the end of 1999, Albarn and Winstanley had moved in together and soon welcomed their daughter.

Over the years, Albarn rarely spoke about his private life, often emphasizing his desire for privacy in interviews. “I appreciate that people want to fill in the gaps, but I just don’t want to talk about my private life,” he told The Guardian in 2003. “I never have done and I never will.”

Despite the breakup, Winstanley continued to show support for Albarn’s work, even attending Blur’s Wembley performance shortly after their split.

While Albarn has not commented on the new relationship, his relaxed appearance during the London stroll suggests he is embracing a new chapter in his personal life.

Ash Unveil New Album Ad Astra Featuring Graham Coxon and 2025 Tour Plans

 Northern Irish rock veterans Ash are back with a bang, officially announcing the arrival of their ninth studio album, Ad Astra, which lands on October 3. Alongside the album drop, the band will hit the road across the UK and Ireland, with headline gigs planned well into 2025 and 2026.

The upcoming release sees Ash deliver a new single, "Give Me Back My World," now available to stream. Frontman Tim Wheeler explained the song’s roots, noting its emotional weight and relevance, even five years on from when it was written.

“If I told you this song dates back to 2020, you’d hardly need a degree from the school of Marple, Holmes and Poirot to figure out what it’s getting at,” Wheeler said.

“And although those sentiments may be just a memory from the standpoint of 2025, the song’s heart still feels relevant. In a time of chaos, disruption and angst, there’s still a beautiful world out there and it’s worth fighting for. Have you ever had one of those moments where you feel the rug has been pulled from under you? Everything you took for granted goes up in smoke and you are no longer in control, and you can only look back in hindsight at a life that’s no longer yours? I think we’ve all had those moments.

I think you can all relate to this song. But luckily for you it a) rails against this loss of control and b) is a total banger. So, fire it up and rage with us against the dying of the light.”

Adding to the excitement, Ad Astra includes two guest appearances by Blur and The Waeve’s Graham Coxon, who lends his talents to the track “Fun People” and the album’s climactic closer, “Ad Astra.” The collaboration marks a rare team-up between two iconic figures from the Britpop era and has fans buzzing with anticipation.

Ad Astra – Full Tracklist:

1. Zarathustra

2. Which One Do You Want?

3. Fun People (featuring Graham Coxon)

4. Give Me Back My World

5. Hallion

6. Deadly Love

7. My Favourite Ghost

8. Jump In The Line

9. Keep Dreaming

10. Dehumanised

11. Ghosting

12. Ad Astra (featuring Graham Coxon)

In addition to the new music, Ash have mapped out a sprawling tour schedule beginning with support dates for Manic Street Preachers and Richard Ashcroft in August 2025, followed by their own headline shows across major UK cities, as well as international festival appearances and a stretch through Japan in October.

Key Tour Dates – 2025:

• Aug 2 – Audley End House, Essex (w/ Manic Street Preachers)

• Aug 7 – Sonorama, Aranda del Duero

• Aug 9 – Custom House Square, Belfast (w/ The Darkness)

• Aug 22 – Victorious Festival

• Aug 23 – Live at Scorrier House, Redruth (w/ Richard Ashcroft)

• Sep 9 & 10 – Scala, London

• Sep 26 – Visor Festival, Valencia

• Oct 14–21 – Various cities in Japan (Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Yokohama)

• Nov 14 – Shiiine On Weekender, Minehead

• Nov 16–25 – Swansea, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow, Blackpool, Sheffield, Oxford

• Dec 5–13 – Irish leg: Listowel, Dundalk, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Belfast

The band won’t be slowing down once the new year hits either. A run of dates has been revealed for February 2026, hitting intimate venues and fan-favourite stops across England.

Confirmed Tour Dates – February 2026:

• Feb 6 – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells

• Feb 7 – Junction, Cambridge

• Feb 8 – The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes

• Feb 10 – Phoenix, Exeter

• Feb 11 – The Trinity Centre, Bristol

• Feb 13 – Grand Central Dome, Liverpool

• Feb 14 – The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent

• Feb 15 – The Welly, Hull

• Feb 17 – Epic Studios, Norwich

• Feb 19 – O2 Academy, Birmingham

With new material, high-profile collaborations, and a tour that spans two years and several countries, Ash are making a serious case that they’re not just back — they’re galactic. Ad Astra promises to be one of their boldest offerings yet.

Gorillaz 2026: Damon Albarn Confirms New Album in Four Languages

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.