“Almost definitely happening” were the words that Damon Albarn used to describe a new Gorillaz album release. The English music and art project created by Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in 1998 has recently been on hiatus, along with the cartoon characters meant to represent the group in an alternate universe.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat

From the Band’s 2001 debut Gorillaz to their latest work, 2011’s The Fall, Gorillaz has changed both rhythm and lead guitar twice, added Jesse Hackett to double down on keyboards, and gone through four bass players. One constant as been Albarn and Hewlett’s virtual posse – Noodle, Russel, Murdoc, and 2D. For his part, Albarn was recently joined by Snoop Dogg and other collaborators for a performance of Clint Eastwood. His solo work has been well received, including a recent ode to a baby elephant that he performed for Jimmy Kimmel. He will rock out with solo work again in July for Latitude 2014.

What can we expect from the new album? According to Albarn, he and his latest Gorillaz collaborators have recorded enough material over the last 3 years to fill up a CD right now. But putting the finishing touches on the music and animation might not happen until summer. As for the contents, it might be a while before anything comes out. Albarn has only hinted about a possible collaboration with former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher.