Gorillaz Album Ditches Cartoons for Gorgeous, Real Pop

Damon Albarn's newest Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, marks a significant departure, shedding the project's animated pretense for a remarkably gorgeous pop record. Albarn has transcended the conceptual artifice of Gorillaz, creating the band's most affecting and uniquely inviting album to date. This shift occurred after an initial idea for a project named Carousel, presented by Gorillaz but not performed by them, never materialized.

Plastic Beach explores a loose environmental theme, warning against disposability. Albarn incorporates a diverse range of musical styles, including Krautrock, funk, and dubstep, alongside his signature melodic electronic sound. His leadership is more assured on this release, with standout tracks like "On Melancholy Hill" evoking Scott Walker. He also effectively integrates guest vocalists such as Lou Reed and Bobby Womack.

While previous Gorillaz albums benefited from producers like Dan the Automator and Danger Mouse in fusing pop with hip-hop, Plastic Beach sees Albarn handling much of the production himself. This has led to a more cohesive sound, though some rap collaborations, like Snoop Dogg's, feel somewhat out of place amidst the lush arrangements. The album truly shines when Albarn embraces his natural inclination towards ornate, baroque pop, particularly in his collaborations with Little Dragon.