Gorillaz announce new album “The Mountain” with stars from around the world

London. The British band Gorillaz ("Feel Good Inc.") has announced a new album for next year, featuring numerous international musicians and singing in five languages. According to the collective led by Blur frontman Damon Albarn, "The Mountain," their ninth studio album, will feature singing and rapping in Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba.

Gorillaz have already released the first single. "The Happy Dictator" is a collaboration with cult US duo Sparks ("When Do I Get to Sing "My Way""). Other guests on the album include former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar, Bollywood star Asha Bhosle, rapper Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, and the indie band Idles.

The 15 songs on "The Mountain" will also feature deceased friends and former Gorillaz collaborators, including soul legend Bobby Womack, Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen, and actor Dennis Hopper. The international music project was recorded in London, Mumbai, and New Delhi, as well as Ashgabat, Damascus, Los Angeles, and New York.

Gorillaz is a virtual band founded in 1998 by musician Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett. It consists of four fictional characters—2D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle—and combines animated storytelling with genre-spanning music from rock, hip-hop, electronic, and world music. It features real musicians and collaborates with international artists. Gorillaz will tour again in 2026. Dates in Germany have not yet been announced.

RND/dpa