music
February 27, 2026
Gorillaz: The Mountain review
(Kong)Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s cartoon band mark 25 years with an album inspired by India and shaped by loss, featuring collaborators living and dead
TL;DR
- Gorillaz, the virtual group created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, celebrates 25 years with their ninth album, The Mountain.
- The album is inspired by a visit to India and the deaths of Albarn and Hewlett's fathers.
- It features a wide array of guest artists, including Indian musicians like Asha Bhosle and Anoushka Shankar, as well as recordings from deceased collaborators such as Mark E Smith and Tony Allen.
- Thematic elements include reflections on death, loss, and the continuation of life, often presented with an upbeat and positive tone rather than melancholy.
- The Mountain is noted for its consistency and cohesive structure, feeling more like a unified album than previous, eclectic releases.
- The album successfully balances light and shade, incorporating diverse musical styles from post-disco boogie to Arabic acid house and reggae.
- The review suggests The Mountain is an unexpected career highlight for Gorillaz.
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