Gorillaz is the creation of musician Damon Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett. They’re a virtual band made up four animated characters. Their songs are written by Damon Albarn and a roster of collaborators. Since the first album was released in 2001, Gorillaz have sold over 16 million records worldwide. In this episode, Damon breaks down the song "Andromeda" from the 2017 Gorillaz album Humanz. It’s a dance song, but also an elegy to people in his life who he’s lost, like legendary soul singer Bobby Womack, a former Gorillaz collaborator. Andromeda features guest vocals by the rapper and singer D.R.A.M., whose own hit single, "Broccoli," went quadruple platinum in 2016. Coming up later, D.R.A.M. tells the story of how he got involved with this track, and Damon shares an exclusive clip of a scrapped version of the song with D.R.A.M. on lead vocals.
(This episode contains explicit language.)
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Natalie Merchant - Sister Tilly
Re-issue: Julien Baker - Appointments
Feist - In Lightning
Madison McFerrin - Run (feat. Bobby McFerrin)
New Order - Blue Monday
Re-issue: Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Pt. II
Yaeji - Passed Me By
Seal - Kiss from a Rose
Kenny Beats - Still
Re-issue: Kimbra - Top of the World
MUNA - What I Want
Noah Kahan - Stick Season
Sampa the Great - Let Me Be Great (feat. Angélique Kidjo)
Son Lux - This is a Life (from 'Everything Everywhere All at Once')
Omah Lay - Never Forget
Book Exploder: James McBride - Deacon King Kong
Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth
Book Exploder: George Saunders - Victory Lap
Santigold - Ushers of the New World
Book Exploder: Celeste Ng - Little Fires Everywhere
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