Gorillaz just dropped a new album, and it’s a wild ride—imagine Dennis Hopper sharing a stage with Omar Souleyman, or the late Mark E. Smith’s voice blending with the legendary Asha Bhosle’s, all within a few tracks. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this eclectic mix a masterpiece or a chaotic mess? One thing’s for sure—it’s a sonic journey like no other. From the silky smoothness of ‘The Moon Cave,’ featuring Indian disco icon Asha Puthli, to the Bowie-esque atmospherics of ‘The Empty Dream Machine’ with Black Thought, Johnny Marr, and Anoushka Shankar, the album defies genres and expectations. It’s like a long, winding road trip under humid skies, and it’s got us wondering: what inspires such a diverse sound? To find out, we sat down with the band’s four members to uncover their latest Bandcamp obsessions—and the results are as surprising as the album itself.
Murdoc’s Pick: Maize by Mao Tse Helen (Richmond, Virginia)
Murdoc raves, ‘This is riff rock sharper than a geometry set. Ron T. Curry is a legend—imagine Black Midi meets Big Black, but weirder. Did you know this was recorded in 1996, grunge’s heyday? It’s a time capsule of angular, fiery guitar work.’ And this is the part most people miss: This album is a rebellious throwback that’ll make you question everything you thought about ’90s rock. Fave tracks? ‘Sweet Love’ and ‘Circus Peanuts’—pure gold.
Noodle’s Pick: Skate Story by Blood Cultures (Brooklyn, New York)
Noodle describes it as ‘Sonic Youth meets The Avalanches, but with a twist. Psyched-out samples, breakbeats, and angry guitars collide in a way that’s both chaotic and cool. It’s the ultimate video game soundtrack.’ Controversial take: Could this be the future of indie music? Fave tracks: ‘Overlord’ and ‘It’s Hostile’—prepare to be hooked.
2D’s Pick: Rose Main Reading Room by Peel Dream Magazine (Los Angeles, California)
2D keeps it simple: ‘This is sunshine in a bag. Like hot chocolate with marshmallows.’ His go-to track? ‘Counting Sheep,’ because ‘it helps me sleep.’ But here’s the question: Is this album too laid-back, or is it the perfect escape from the chaos of modern life?
Russell’s Pick: Mad Collabs Vol. 1 by John Robinson (Atlanta, Georgia)
Russell gushes, ‘If you love J-Live or Talib Kweli, this is your jam. Golden-era boom-bap, conscious lyrics, and jazz-infused remixes—it’s underground hip-hop at its finest.’ Controversial interpretation: Is this album a nostalgic throwback, or is it pushing the genre forward? Fave tracks: ‘Just Listen,’ ‘The Things They Carried,’ and ‘Poetry In Ertia’—each one’s a banger.
So, what do you think? Are Gorillaz’s picks genius or just plain weird? Do these albums challenge your musical boundaries, or do they leave you scratching your head? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
