Gorillaz - Gorillaz (2LP)
Gorillaz, released in 2001, was the groundbreaking debut album from the virtual band created by Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. At the time, it was a bold experiment: a fictional animated group fronting an eclectic mix of hip-hop, dub, rock, and electronic music. What began as a playful concept quickly became one of the most innovative and successful records of the early 2000s.
From the hypnotic groove of Tomorrow Comes Today to the irresistible global hit Clint Eastwood, the album is packed with tracks that blend genres in ways few mainstream acts dared to attempt. 19-2000, with its laid-back bounce, became another standout single, while songs like Rock the House and Sound Check (Gravity) showed Albarn and his collaborators’ willingness to push into offbeat, experimental territory.
The record’s atmosphere is both playful and eerie, its cartoon world masking sharp commentary on modern culture and music. Behind the animated façade, Albarn’s songwriting shines, supported by the production work of Dan the Automator and contributions from Del the Funky Homosapien, Miho Hatori, and others. The result is a sound that feels simultaneously timeless and futuristic.
Critics praised Gorillaz for its originality, and audiences embraced the concept wholeheartedly, propelling the album to multi-platinum success worldwide. More than just a clever gimmick, it laid the foundation for a virtual band that would go on to continually reinvent itself across decades.
Gorillaz remains a landmark debut, a vibrant and genre-defying record that announced the arrival of a truly unique musical project.