Album Review: “Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez” by Gorillaz
Image: Courtesy of Parlophone.
In terms of relevant and active artists in the music industry, Gorillaz have managed to remain broadly popular with a dedicated fan base for a remarkable amount of time. Since 1998, the virtual band composed of fictitious members 2-D, Russel, Murdoc, and Noodle, created by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and comic artist Jamie Hewlitt have traversed a vast landscape of trends, genres, collaborators, and even artistic “eras” coupled with character development for the animated members.
Throughout the first half of 2020, Gorillaz began releasing individual songs and music videos connected under the label of Song Machine. While this project initially appeared to be solely single-based, a full album was later announced to be released on October 23rd, 2020. After playing this record non-stop since it’s release, I present my opinion and share some notable moments on Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez (parental advisory for explicit lyrics).
The album opens with the title track, Strange Timez (featuring Robert Smith of The Cure). Sharp piano keys and Smith’s melancholic hook set a mysterious, paranoid atmosphere that is accentuated when 2-D (virtual frontman, “performed” by Damon Albarn) comes into the track with a poetic, spoken word verse taking on the environment of distrust and anxiety associated with today’s political world. Continued social commentary is featured throughout much of the album, notably in The Valley of The Pagans (featuring American singer Beck), which tackles the artificial nature of popular culture over a groovy pop instrumental.
Other tracks are more subtle and emotionally driven – a particular highlight is Désolé. The track guides a compelling, sorrowful aesthetic through smooth guitar-licks and steady drums, coupled with somber love-related lyrics from 2-D and Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara, who aids the track immensely through her passionate vocal delivery. The Lost Chord (featuring English musician Leee John), reminiscent of Gorillaz’s Plastic Beach era, is an ethereal experience, to say the least. The keyboard and synth dominated lo-fi instrumental builds up to a spirited chorus, creating an entrancing effect on the listener. The Pink Phantom features legendary English singer Elton John and American R&B artist 6LACK, an unlikely duo that, when paired with Gorillaz, somehow manages to create a stunning piano-driven ballad. Elton John performs his signature theatrical vocals in the verses, while 6LACK delivers a brief, but nicely-contrasting autotuned bridge. The track steadily builds up to a cathartic chorus and maintains the emotional high all throughout.
Despite the presence of quality introspective, steady tracks, Song Machine in no way lacks energy. The single Momentary Bliss (featuring English rapper Slowthai and English rock duo Slaves) combines punk and hip-hop elements to create a bouncy, rebellious instrumental, paired with lyrics boisterously belted by 2-D and Slowthai on the topic of loving yourself and controlling your own destiny. Pac-Man, with lyrics regarding the challenges of progressing through the social ladder, easily has some of the most replay value on the whole project. The track is guided by a punchy hip-hop beat, rides on retro video game metaphors, and reaches its apex near the end of the song with a zestful rap verse from American rapper ScHoolboy Q.
For all of the high points, Song Machine does have it’s inherent flaws. As each song was regarded as an independent piece in production, the lack of stylistic cohesion makes Song Machine feel more like a compilation than a true album at certain points. Furthermore, amounting up to 17 songs, inevitably, there are a few “skips.” Chalk Tablet Towers (featuring American musician St. Vincent) feels uninspired as a result of its gratingly repetitive synth-driven tune and unenthusiastic singing from 2-D. Additionally, Simplicity adheres a little too closely to its name through the boring backing instrumental. American singer-songwriter Joan As Police Woman has a fairly enjoyable, short verse, but the remaining mumbled vocals from 2-D make the just-under-three-minute cut feel a whole lot longer.
All together, Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez is a dynamic and fun project, and has a little bit of everything to offer in terms of style and genre. For that reason, I give it four out of five stars. I absolutely recommend you give this album a listen – I can’t guarantee that every track will suit a particular interest, but what I can guarantee is a quality, diverse mix of songs packed with unbridled creativity.
Final Verdict: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Cover Image: Gorillaz, 'Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez' (Parlophone)
