Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Gorillaz – Cracker Island (2023)

The long list of bands that I fell of with just to give another shot continues! Gorillaz busted onto the scene with an interesting take as an animated Rock Band when we all vibed with Clint Eastwood in the early 00s. Be it Britpop, Techno, Hip Hop, Electronica, or whatever; their sound has been unique, but normally easily discernable as them.

Even though most people loved Plastic Beach (2010), that’s where I stopped caring for the direction they were going. Then during the pandemic their Song Machine gimmick caught my attention a little, but, one of their newer singles New Gold was stuck in my head for a while. So the album just came out a couple days ago, so it gives me the chance to see how I’m feeling about Gorillaz in 2023!

Gorillaz is: 2-D (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Synth, Keyboards), Noodle (Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals), Russel Hobbs (Percussion and Drums), Murdoc (Bass)

• Artist: Gorillaz
• Album: Cracker Island (2023)
• Label: Parlophone Records
• Total Track Time: 37:29

Cracker Island (feat Thundercat) plays into the story telling aspect of most Gorillaz projects. The lyrics being about cultists sets the tone for the album’s story of the band versus a cult; but the lyrics can also be applied to the divisive nature of society. Where tribalism has dictated a lot of people’s beliefs over the last few years. Oil (feat Stevie Nicks) definitely hits you with that Britpop/New Wave vibe, akin to The Cure or Tears for Fears. It definitely takes that melodramatic and depressed tone in the delivery of the lyrics; even though the lyrics themselves are oddly bright and pushing more for navigating the darkness with light. Nothing crazy deep, and plays into the music style perfectly. The Tired Influencer is a very laid back song, where the lyrics are a little…too obtuse. The general concept seems to be a commentary on the technology driven world, especially with the audio samples of Siri or voice assistants in the background. Which honestly anything about general daily buzz feels weird coming out of a pandemic where many of us did nothing for 2ish years.

Silent Running (feat Adeleye Omotayo) has a very nice almost dance beat. This song seems to play more obviously into the possible story of being pulled into this cult world, possibly with drugs or something given the way things are worded; “Stop, or you’ll make me cry (Make me cry), I think it’s time that I decide (I decide), What I’ve done when I trip and fly (Trip and fly), The wave is taking me (Taking me)”. Definitely feels more correct to interpret the trip and fly more as in the under the influence imagery here. While not mind blowing, its an enjoyable little song that vibes. New Gold (feat Tame Impala & Bootie Brown) now this is a crazy catchy song focusing more on the album story. Going underwater for this new magic gold cult area. And the music gives this psychedelic underwater atmosphere; everything about the song compliments itself well. Baby Queen is colored well with this Dreamwave synth aura, that I can’t be sure if he really met this baby queen in the cult, or if its just all a trippy dream state. Not mad at the song though, it just grooves and sways its way to the next song.

Tarantula is totally a Duran Duran song…or it should be. So as just generally solid New Wave pop music, this is nice. Lyrically it gets across just needing the other person and/or thing in their life. “If you’re good for me, then I’m good for you” – could be a cult brainwashing line, or the personal relationship angle. Decent song though. Tormenta (feat Bad Bunny) is a comforting little song, a little bit of danceability, but its got this slow calypso beat that ties the whole thing together. Last few songs haven’t been bad, just a little meandering. Skinny Ape immediately gave me a 99 Red Balloons kind of vibe. Which sortuv works since it seems to focus on the advances in technology, robots becoming more humanoid. So it’s not war, but it does have this odd foreboding about where things may lead. Possession Island (feat Beck) is an insanely somber piano ballad that I didn’t really anticipate ending the album. There’s also an unexpected Mariachi interlude before the final reprise and then it ends as a normal piano ballad does.

Well okay, this is a weird little disc. Most of the songs sound like they go together, but I feel a bit of the imagery gets too murky from what’s commentary on current world and their little cult story. That’s also not me being hypocritical, since I’m not saying I dislike these lyrics for being vague when I normally love that. These lyrics AREN’T vague, if anything it feels like mixing metaphors in a few of the songs so it makes them feel a little disjointed. Its one thing to paint in the abstract and get people to think; and another to use plain wording in each verse but shift the lyrical perspective.

All in all, I can’t say the album was bad. There’s a few songs I liked a bit, just as an album it feels a little janky. So not enough for me to sing any kind of return to form praises, but it was not an offensive listen.

Final Judgment: 5.95/10