Gorillaz Confirm New Album The Now Now for June 2018 Release

Considering that there was a gap of seven years between their fourth LP The Fall and their latest 5th record Humanz, it would not be unreasonable for Gorillaz’ fans to assume that another album would take another decade at least. However, the British “virtual” band has subverted expectations, and have recently announced that they will be releasing their sixth album, titled The Now Now, for a June 29, 2018 release.

Perhaps this isn’t such a surprise, though. Late last year, Jamie Hewlett, one half of the duo behind Gorillaz, said “Usually we have a good five years break but this time we decided to keep going. I’m inventing a new style for the next Gorillaz album. Damon [Albarn] started to send me demos for new songs quite early on and that’s exciting, to hear the new direction.”

The LP was teased by the band on its own website, thenownow.tv with a fittingly anachronistic aesthetic that invokes sounds and sights of the 80’s. Zane Lowe continued to confirm the announcement from the website, saying that Damon Albarn, the other half of the duo and frontman of seminal britpop act Blur, will be guesting on his Beats 1 show on Thursday (May 31) to premiere a new track, apparently called “Humility.”

Before this announcement, in March, Gorillaz also debuted a new track at a live show called “Hollywood” that features Snoop Dogg (though, the rapper wasn’t at the performance). And even before that, last October, Lil’ Simz collaborated with the band on the track “Garage Palace.”

No other details about the new album are available yet, but listen to tomorrow’s Beats 1 interview to gain better insight on the upcoming project.

UPDATE (5/31): Gorillaz have shared the album art from the new record. Also released today is the tracklist for the new record. George Benson, Snoop Dogg and Jamie Principle make up the special guests on The Now Now, in stark contrast with the cameo-laden Humanz from last year.

The Now Now track list

Humility – feat George Benson
Tranz
Hollywood – feat Snoop Dogg + Jamie Principle
Kansas
Sorcererz
Idaho
Lake Zurich
Magic City
Fire Flies
One Percent
Souk Eye