Gorillaz Ascend “The Mountain” in New Single and Album Announcement

via Gorillaz website

Gorillaz are back! Their new album, The Mountain, enters a new era for the band. Damon Albarn explained in a BBC Radio 1 interview that the album will feature five different languages across its tracks. Their first single shows off what we can expect from the forthcoming record. 

“The Happy Dictator” feels like a transportation to the eponymous mountain. In classic Gorillaz fashion, the lyrics are devastating while the instrumentals are uplifting. “So look out to the west now, see where the devil lies / (Oh, what a happy land we live in.)” The song feels timely as it seems like every day more tragedies are happening, and politicians seem to be turning a blind eye. Beyond lyrically, I adore what “Sparks” is doing on this track! The happy, almost angelic vocals add to the joyful yet uneasy feeling. The sound production harkens back to Danger Mouse’s work on Demon Days. I am loving this new single and the concept we’re seeing the band explore. 

The Mountain will have a ton of other features, including IDLES, the late Bobby Womack, Johnny Marr, and a ton of new voices. I’m excited to see new art and find out what hijinks the band gets into. The album releases everywhere on March 20, 2026.