Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest

Way back in 1995, War Child UK put together the "Help" benefit album to raised funds to care for children in war zones.  It's awful that we still need to do this, but the charity is at again with the upcoming "Help(2)" out next month via Beggars Banquet.  The lineup on this thing is astounding: Beth Gibbons, Depeche Mode, Pulp, etc.  But today, check out "Flags" from Damon Albarn, Fontaines D.C.'s Grian Chatten, and Kae Tempest.  Listen below and pre-order the album here.  All proceeds go to War Child UK.

Daily Jam - Kingdom of Doom

Today was one of those days that just got away from me.  It's pushing 9:30pm and there's a ton of shit i still need to do...like post a Daily Jam.  So here's The Good, The Bad & The Queen with "Kingdom of Doom," our Daily Jam.

Gorillaz & Sparks

Gorillaz has announced new album "The Mountain" for release in March of next year.  The Damon Albarn/Jamie Hewlett project has been chugging along for almost 25 years now, and the upcoming album features guest appearances from IDLES, Johnny Marr, Yasiin Bey, and more, as well as posthumous appearances from Mark E. Smith, Bobby Womack, Tony Allen and more.  And to top it all off, first single "The Happy Dictator" features an assist from none other than Sparks.  Check that excellent track out below and pre-order the record here.

Daily Jam - Kansas

Here's a Gorillaz song i really like.  Listen to "Kansas" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Sunset Coming On

Simultaneously feeling wistful and content, like sitting on the shore listening to the tide crash and recede, watching the sun dim as it sinks into an ocean, alone in my head. Being sad but also at peace. Or, standing in the surf, wave after wave gently colliding into my body, my eyes closed, breathing it all in. Life is beautiful, but it can take its toll.

I’m not really sure what it is about “Sunset Coming On,” a warm and gorgeous track from Damon Albarn’s 2002 album Mali Music, that quells my nerves but also gives me feelings of longing. Sometimes it’s a notion akin to homesickness, and sometimes it’s a kind of false nostalgia for things that haven’t even happened yet, like I’m an old man or something, reflecting on my life before laying it all down one last time. It’s weird. I should probably cue this song somehow, so that it’s ready to go when I’m on my deathbed. Keep me warm, but let me know what I’m missing.

The song can put me in a strange place…but it’s always a good place.

Recorded with a number of local Malian musicians, including Afel Bocoum, Mali Music is one of Albarn’s forays into world sound and rhythm, a series of different projects that can often be uneven and yield some mixed results. As with most world-influenced music by western artists, the best moments from these albums are generally crafted when said artist manages to bridge the line between the two cultures, syncing different world sounds and ideas with western pop. On “Sunset Coming On,” Albarn sets the bar. The song feels exotic or foreign, all the while retaining those elements that make it familiar. And it’s beautiful. And it’s lonesome.

And it’s hopeful.

Listen below, our Daily Jam.

Blur

I was just working yesterday, minding my own business, when i noticed via Twitter that a new record from Blur is on the horizon this summer.  This is most welcome news.  "The Ballad of Darren" is their first reunion record since their last reunion record back in 2015.  Check out "The Narcissist" below and pre-order the LP here on Parlophone from the band.

Daily Jam - Spoons

Here's a track from Damon Albarn's world music project Mali Music from a couple decades back.  Listen to "Spoons" below, our Daily Jam.

Gorillaz, Tame Impala, & Bootie Brown

I remember 20 years ago when i figured Damon Albarn's and Jamie Hewlett's Gorillaz project would be one of those one-off things.  Boy was i wrong.  Here we are 20 years later, and the group have a new album on the way.  Check out new song "New Gold" featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown below.  It's got me toe-tapping.  And be on the lookout for the upcoming "Cracker Island" early next year on Parlophone.

Daily Jam - Hong Kong

Here's a Gorillaz B-side from the "Demon Days" era, a D-side if you will.  Listen to the melancholy "Hong Kong" below, our Daily Jam and have a wonderful Christmas Eve.

Daily Jam - Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head

Isn't wild that Gorillaz have been around for 20 years?  One of those things that makes me feel like an old, old man.  Anyway, sophomore effort "Demon Days" was a favorite around these parts for a spell, so here's "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head."  If there's anything i've learned from this song, it's that we needed more tracks with Dennis Hopper narration in them.  Just a thought.  Check it out below, our Daily Jam.

Damon Albarn

It appears that Blur/Gorillaz front man Damon Albarn has written and recorded a new solo album during the pandemic.  If "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows" is any indication, we're in for a somber affair.  That's okay though, as i've always felt that there's an innate sadness to Albarn's voice, even in his most hyper, frenetic, or sardonic work.  Check the song out below and pre-order this November's album of the same name here via Transgressive.

Gorillaz and Robert Smith

Well, it looks like the "Song Machine" project that Gorillaz started earlier this year is going to be culminating into an album next month.  And along with that announcement, the group has released the latest track from the project, "Strange Timez," featuring Robert Smith.  I've got to admit, it's pretty cool hearing both Smith's and Albarn's voices together.  Check out the video below, and be on the lookout for physical release information hopefully sooner than later.

Gorillaz ft. Peter Hook and Georgia

And now here's song three from Gorillaz's "Song Machine" project, a series of songs and videos dropping once every month or so.  "Aires" features the unmistakable bass line stylings of Peter Hook and is a pleasant groove for an otherwise depressing and collapsing world.  Check out the video and song below.

Gorillaz - Momentary Bliss

Gorillaz are back with a new project called "Song Machine."  The cartoon band are set to release a string of collaborative singles all year long, and the first, "Momentary Bliss," features British rapper slowthai and punk duo Slaves.  Check it out below and be on the lookout for song two soon, rumored to feature Tame Impala.

Daily Jam - Stylo

My favorite Gorillaz track, "Stylo," your Daily Jam.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Over the last few years, Damon Albarn has been reviving all of his former projects, issuing new albums and material from the likes of Blue and Gorillaz.  And now to complete the trifecta, the sophomore release from supergroup The Good, The Bad & The Queen is finally coming to us next month, some 11 years later.  Consisting of Albarn, The Clash's Paul Simonon, The Verve's Simon Tong, and legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen and featuring production from Tony Visconti, the band's upcoming "Merrie Land" LP is a meditation of sorts on British-ness in a post-Brexit world.  Watch the video for the title track below and pre-order the record here from the band's own Studio 13 label.

Gorillaz - Humility

I was not expecting new music from Gorillaz today, but here we are with the video for "Humility" from the upcoming "The Now Now" LP, and i'm all for it.  Featuring jazz and soul musician George Benson, and with kind of a sunny vibe going on, the track feels tailor made for a summer outdoors.  Watch the video featuring Jack Black below and get the record June 29th from Parlophone.

Gorillaz

We knew a new record was soon to be upon us from Gorillaz, and now we have a title, an album cover, tracklist, collaborator list, and some new songs and videos.  Anyway, "Humanz" is due on April 28th (pre-order here) and will feature folks like Danny Brown, De La Soul, and Carly Simon of all people.  Watch the Jamie Hewlett directed video for "Saturnz Barz" featuring Popcaan below.

Gorillaz (feat. Benjamin Clementine) - Hallelujah Money

There's a new Gorillaz album on the horizon, and the Damon Albarn led animated band just released a new song from said album featuring Benjamin Clementine called "Hallelujah Money," with an accompanying video filmed appropriately enough at Trump Tower.  Demon Days indeed.  Watch below and be on the lookout for the new record sometime in the near future.

Blur - There Are Too Many of Us

With Blur's new album "The Magic Whip" looming on the horizon, the band have been teasing with more samples and videos, and thus far, my favorite has to be the downtrodden and melancholy "There Are Too Many of Us."  It feels like the band moving forward, but looking back just the same.  Watch the plain Jane video below and look for the record at the end of the month.