Who Will Feature on the New Gorillaz Album? Damon Albarn’s Collaborator Wildcards

With Damon Albarn confirming that a brand-new Gorillaz album is on the way in 2025 — and that it will feature four languages - fans have entered full speculation mode. Gorillaz have always thrived on unexpected partnerships: from old-school legends to future-facing stars, the band’s ever-expanding universe thrives on contrast, surprise, and chemistry.

So the question now is: who’s on the next guest list? Based on Albarn’s extensive track record, some informed guesses and a bit of wishful thinking are in order.

A Quick History of Gorillaz Collaborations

Since their 2001 debut, Gorillaz have set the gold standard for genre-mixing collabs. We’ve had:

• Hip hop icons like Del the Funky Homosapien, MF DOOM, De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, and Pusha T

• Soul and funk legends like Bobby Womack, Bootie Brown, and Stevie Nicks

• Pop royalty like Elton John, Carly Simon, and Grace Jones

• Experimental acts like Little Dragon, St. Vincent, Slowthai, and JPEGMAFIA

• Global stars like Bad Bunny, Ibrahim Ferrer, Fatoumata Diawara, and Zhu

Albarn has no borders linguistically, musically, or politically, and that’s what makes Gorillaz a living, breathing art project.

What We Know: Clues So Far

In recent interviews, Albarn revealed the next Gorillaz album will be sung in four languages, suggesting a truly international project. He’s also shared that he wants to work with artists from Palestine and Israel, and he’s been spotted in Paris for his opera The Magic Flute II.

Add in the fact that Albarn is politically engaged, musically restless, and very plugged into contemporary sounds and the possibilities for features grow vast.

Likely Collaborators

Let’s start with the most probable suspects based on Damon’s current and past collaborations:

1. Fatoumata Diawara

• Why? Albarn and Diawara have worked together in the past, both on Africa Express and on 2018’s Mali Music. She’s one of the strongest voices in African music today, and her ability to switch between languages and styles makes her a prime candidate for this project.

• Language: French / Bambara

2. Bad Bunny (again)

• Why? Their Cracker Island collaboration Tormenta was a standout — dreamy, woozy, and eerily beautiful. Albarn praised Bad Bunny’s work ethic and genre-bending style.

• Language: Spanish

3. Christine and the Queens (Redcar)

• Why? Albarn is currently working in Paris, and Christine’s theatrical pop would blend well with the Gorillaz aesthetic. They both lean into gender, identity, and emotion in unconventional ways.

• Language: French

4. Sevdaliza

• Why? The Iranian-Dutch singer makes haunting, politically charged electronic music. Her global identity and genre-defying sound make her a perfect fit.

• Language: Persian / English

Regional Collaborations Damon Has Hinted At

5. Israeli and Palestinian Artists

• Why? Albarn recently said he wants to work with musicians in Palestine and Israel during these turbulent times. He’s a firm believer in music as bridge-building.

• Who? Maybe DAM (the Palestinian hip-hop group), or Israeli singer-songwriter Noga Erez, who mixes electro-pop with biting political commentary.

• Language: Arabic / Hebrew

Potential Returnees

6. Little Simz

• Why? She and Albarn have worked together more than once, and their chemistry is undeniable. Her lyrical prowess would anchor the record, especially if there’s a conceptual or political narrative.

• Language: English (but with social commentary across borders)

7. Bootie Brown

• Why? He’s appeared on multiple Gorillaz tracks, including New Gold. Albarn seems to trust him as a lyrical narrator and grounding presence.

• Language: English

8. Thundercat

• Why? Their work on Cracker Island was funky, fun, and thematically rich. A reprise wouldn’t surprise anyone.

Wildcard Picks (But Not Impossible)

Let’s throw in some curveballs, the kind Gorillaz are famous for:

9. Rosalía

• Why? Albarn admires artists who defy genre boundaries. Rosalía’s flamenco-trap fusion and raw energy would electrify a Gorillaz track.

• Language: Spanish

10. Phoebe Bridgers

• Why? The indie star has a melancholic vocal style that would contrast beautifully with Albarn’s downbeat tone. Imagine her haunting a Gorillaz ballad like El Mañana or Melancholy Hill.

• Language: English

11. Ryuichi Sakamoto (posthumous tribute)

• Why? Albarn is known for honouring music legends. A sample, voice memo, or even AI-assisted tribute to the late Japanese composer could appear.

• Language: Japanese / instrumental

12. Tame Impala (Kevin Parker)

• Why? Their psychedelic tendencies are aligned, and Albarn has said he wants to "lose himself in the music again." Tame Impala’s production style fits that escapist vision.

The Visual Collaborators

Let’s not forget that Gorillaz is a visual band as much as a musical one. Jamie Hewlett is deeply involved, and with a multilingual, cross-cultural theme, we might also see input from global visual artists or animators possibly working from Europe, the Middle East, or Africa.

A collaboration with visual artists from Gaza, Tel Aviv, or Dakar wouldn’t be out of the question — especially given Albarn’s passion for global storytelling.

Final Word

Gorillaz have always been a sonic melting pot, a place where punk, hip-hop, electronica, and soul shake hands. With a new multilingual album on the horizon and Damon Albarn operating at full creative throttle, we’re likely to see a boundary-pushing record packed with unexpected voices.

From past favourites to bold new pairings and maybe a few political statements tucked between the synths, the next Gorillaz chapter is shaping up to be their most globally connected one yet.

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 releases New Song 'Gumbri' with Kaktus Einarsson

Damon Albarn has recently released a new single with "Gumbri" by Kaktus Einarsson feat. Damon Albarn's wispy vocals. "Gumbri" is a collaborative track by Icelandic musician Kaktus Einarsson and British artist Damon Albarn, released in September 2024.

The song serves as the lead single from Einarsson's second album, Lobster Coda, which was released on October 25, 2024. 

The collaboration between Einarsson and Albarn is rooted in a longstanding professional relationship. At 15, Einarsson played the trumpet on Gorillaz's track "Stop The Dams," and later contributed to Albarn's solo debut, Everyday Robots. 

"Gumbri" marks their first joint effort as solo artists. Musically, "Gumbri" blends introspective lyrics with a groovy instrumental backdrop. The accompanying music video features both artists in a natural setting, engaging in activities like lounging among trees and feeding chickens, complementing the song's reflective tone. 

The track is available on various streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.

About Kaktus Einarsson

Kaktus Einarsson, a visionary musician and artist from Iceland, has carved out a distinct place in the music world with his bold fusion of genres. Growing up in Reykjavík, he started his musical path remarkably early, joining the experimental electronic group Ghostigital at just 10 years old. Later, he became the frontman of the post-punk band Fufanu, a role that earned him opportunities to share the stage with major acts like Radiohead and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

In 2021, Kaktus embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album, Kick the Ladder, which showcased his innovative blend of electronic, classical, and pop influences. This was followed by Lobster Coda in 2024, an album enriched with collaborations from notable artists, including Damon Albarn, Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir from Of Monsters and Men, and School of X’s Rasmus Littauer. 

Kaktus's artistic journey is marked by unique partnerships and memorable contributions. He played trumpet on Gorillaz's track "Stop The Dams" at just 15 and contributed to Damon Albarn's solo album, Everyday Robots. His music is a testament to his fearless exploration and dedication to pushing creative boundaries.

Listen to 'Gumbri' below 

Gumbri lyrics

[Verse 1: Kaktus Einarsson] 

Wake up every morning without an alarm that I can snooze 

Try to maintain tempo with a one plus three we've managed to defuse 

A life of surprises in a bevel full of joy 

There are different rooms with different roads 

Amongst the tourists I hide, grab a fresh bread bun to go 

Try to write some happy songs, but it makes me feel so wrong 

I am privileged, I've known for long 

But there are different roads to different moods

[Chorus: Damon Albarn & Kaktus Einarsson] 

Living on the edge embrace a unique self 

You saw in my palm with every sun that sets I drift and roam a subtle flow 

As the world reveals its truths one by one I start to feel where my life needs to go 

[Verse 2: Kaktus Einarsson] 

Dance in the club as daybreak claims the sky again 

A labyrinth of chambers it’s pounding the kick drum though my head 

A real time spectrum every door a check 

There are different rooms with different roads 

Dreams of the cruise ship life sailing into old its old 

Alive and anchored in a bubble that simply stays afloat 

Is that something for me, I cannot know 

There are different rooms with different moods

[Chorus: Damon Albarn & Kaktus Einarsson] 

Living on the edge embrace a unique self 

You saw in my palm with every sun that sets I drift and roam a subtle flow 

As the world reveals its truths one by one I start to feel where my life needs to go 

Living on the edge embrace a unique self 

You saw in my palm with every sun that sets 

I drift and roam a subtle flow

As the world reveals its truths one by one 

I start to feel where my life needs to go 

As the world reveals its truth one by one 

I start to feel where my life needs to go

Damon Albarn to make first solo album for 2012

Damon's going to make a solo album! Exciting news everyone! 

DAMON Albarn's done a lot in his 20-year career in music but he's still missing one thing from his lengthy CV – a proper solo recording (The Sun)

Now the Blur and Gorillaz man has pledged to follow fellow Britpop hero Noel Gallagher and spend most of next year recording an album of his own.

But Damon has three albums to get out first.

One is a project by Africa Express – a collective of Western and African musicians – recorded in the Congo.

Another is a collaboration with Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and drumming legend Tony Allen.

The third is a recording of his Elizabethan opera.

After that he'll get to work on his first solo disc so it's ready for release some time in 2012.

A source said: "Damon's finally ready to make a solo album after years of hiding behind cartoon band Gorillaz and working with collectives of musicians.

"He's looking forward to it and his label bosses at EMI are pleased as it's sure to sell by the bucketload."

Although it's bad news for fans holding out on a full Blur reunion – a Damon solo disc is still an exciting prospect.

New Damon Albarn song "Apple Carts" from Doctor Dee Opera - June 2011

We have a surprise after a lack of news lately - Damon Albarn performed a new song from his new opera Doctor Dee in The Andrew Marrs show yesterday. The song's named "Apple Carts" and it is beautifully sounding, with Albarn's deep croning and soft guitar playing, and kind of resembles his style in The Good The Bad and The Queen. Listen to it by CLICKING HERE. 
You can also watch the full interview from BBC website (UK Only) by clicking HERE.

The following commentary was by dougharrison from the Blur forums thread:

The only thing said about the opera that were newly mentioned are that: 

1) Its an exploration of Englishness at the time and Dee is the central character rather than it being purely about Dee. 

2) The show is in 3 sections a celestial plane, where musicians such as Tony Allen, the stage/England presumably and an underworld, where the main orchestra is. 

Damon is still not a huge fan of interviews, didn't seem particularly comfortable. After the part about Dee being English the interviewer said this had been present in previous work and Damon said something along the lines of that it was a totally separate from Blur project, but some songs could have been Blur songs and concluded by saying he didn't know what place i.e. project/band he is currently at and writing for. I probably haven't rephrased that particularly well.

I really like the song, it's a great start to possibly a new album by Damon Albarn after his opera, hopefully like Monkey Journey to the West. It's beautiful and soothing, and a song about Silbury Hill and apples fits Damon's simple British style of music writing.

Doctor Dee the opera will premier at the Manchester International Festival in July 2011, and it will then be staged at the home of the English National Opera as part of London's Cultural Olympiad programme. 


Visit their official website here and follow them! 

New Damon Albarn Demo with Kid Koala

Damon Albarn is not the kind of guy who can sit still and leave a couple of years (or more) in between albums. 


He’s just finished with Gorillaz, more rumors of further Blur dates keep surfacing, and now it appears he’s been working on new material with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala. 


The latter just appeared on Tim Sweeney’s Beats in Space radio show, where he dropped this as-yet untitled demo, which is a choppy, trip hop-style collaboration between the trio. 


Albarn’s plaintive vocals help increase the already-downcast nature of the track, which is wrapped around a neat stuttering framework. Is this a long-term project for these three artists? We don’t know yet, but this demo certainly sounds promising. 


Listen HERE.


It sounds quite unfinished to me! Apparently it's just a modified version of a song released 4 years ago...






Hmm, why wasn't this released ever ? I think this is the only Gorillaz song I don't own yet!
What do you think ?