Gorillaz fans strike “New Gold”

As hype builds for a new album, Gorillaz and Tame Impala fans rejoice.

Virtual frontman for Gorillaz, 2-D, in promo for Cracker Island

Wikimedia Commons

Virtual frontman for Gorillaz, 2-D, in promo for “Cracker Island”

Matty Hauth, Copy Editor

Two months after Gorillaz’s most recent single, the group announced a new song featuring Tame Impala, set to release on August 31, 2022.

 

The virtual band has presented notable collaborations over the course of their history, including Snoop Dogg, Kali Uchis, Beck, and Elton John. Most recently, on Jun. 22, 2022, a collaboration with Thundercat released, leaving their audience pleasantly surprised.

 

During a festival known as All Points East, performed in East London from Aug. 19, 2022 until Aug. 28, 2022, both Gorillaz and Tame Impala were slated to perform. 

 

The Gorillaz set fell on the first day of the festival, during which Tame Impala and Bootie Brown were welcomed to the stage in a shocking announcement by frontman Damon Albarn.

 

Kevin Parker, the man behind Tame Impala, is best known for top singles “The Less I Know the Better” and “Borderline”. He has garnered a rather large audience since the beginning of 2020, and was most recently credited with a collaborative single with Diana Ross entitled “Turn Up The Sunshine”.

 

With “The Slow Rush” (Parker’s 4th and most recent studio album) being released over 2 and a half years ago, it’s safe to assume that Parker has been producing music.

 

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Parker said his next album will be available “sooner than what has been the pattern” for his music.

 

As for Gorillaz, their most recent studio album, “Song Machine”, hit streaming platforms on Oct. 23, 2020, with a surprise EP released on Aug. 26, 2021, entitled “Meanwhile”.

 

Over their history, Gorillaz tend to release a new album every 2-5 years, with their 3 most recent studio albums releasing within 3 and a half years of each other. At this rate, it’s not unlikely to assume the band is nearing a new full-length album.

 

Gorillaz begins the North American leg of their tour on Sep. 11, 2022, in British Columbia, CA. Their final concert of the stretch is on Oct. 23 in Miami.

 

While most of this remains speculation, much of the band’s recent activity has pointed towards these assumptions holding some validity. Now, with the newest single set to release shortly, fans have begun speculating even deeper.

 

Many hardcore Gorillaz fans have tried to begin guessing which artist will be listed next as a feature. One name some have thrown into the mix: Steve Lacy.

 

After massive Summer single “Bad Habit” was released on Jun. 29, Lacy has garnered many new fans. Following the official release of his second studio album “Gemini Rights”, his fanbase has expanded greatly, and it’s likely there are many who would love to see a collaborative effort from the two.

 

Regardless of whether or not this single has larger implications or not, it is expected to be a massive success, many fans of both Gorillaz and Tame Impala remain anxiously awaiting the release, which inches closer day by day.

 

Who knows? There could be an album announcement within the next two months. For now though, there’s nothing to do aside from wait.