A sun-bleached travelogue of shimmering synth-pop and yacht-soul. Stripped of guests, it finds a lonely, melodic warmth in the haze of the American West.
It's basically a solo Damon Albarn road trip album disguised as a cartoon funk record.
A sun-drenched, lonely travelogue that balances breezy funk grooves with a deep, persistent sense of longing.
Released in 2018, The Now Now serves as a rapid-response follow-up to the sprawling Humanz. Recorded primarily on the road, the album is a focused, character-driven piece centered on the fictional lead singer 2-D. Unlike typical Gorillaz projects defined by a massive roster of collaborators, this record is almost entirely Damon Albarn, with only Snoop Dogg and Jamie Principle appearing on 'Hollywood'. This creative choice resulted in a more cohesive, 'singer-songwriter' feel within an electronic framework. Critics noted the influence of 1980s new wave and 'yacht soul', comparing its breezy yet melancholic atmosphere to the more melodic moments of Plastic Beach. The album was produced by James Ford and Remi Kabaka Jr., who helped pivot the band's sound toward a cleaner, more synth-driven aesthetic. It stands as a significant entry in the Gorillaz catalog for its intimacy and its successful attempt to capture the 'on-the-road' spontaneity first explored in The Fall, but with a more polished and complete execution.
Put this on for
Pacific Coast Highway sunset with the windows downHotel balcony silence after the tour bus leavesEmpty boardwalk stroll as the neon lights flicker onMid-afternoon heat haze while the world slows downSolo airport transit through a city you barely knowQuiet living room dance when you're finally aloneLate-night sketchpad session with a cooling coffee
Moments worth waiting for
The bright, breezy guitar lick of Humility that feels like a fake smile on a sunny day.
The hypnotic, wordless synth groove of Lake Zurich that channels 80s dance-floor nostalgia.
The emotional swell of Souk Eye where the percussion finally locks into a driving, desperate pulse.
Sounds like
2018s production with a 2010s soul
Sits beside
Currents - Tame Impala, Pacific Ocean Blue - Dennis Wilson, Plastic Beach - Gorillaz, Everyday Robots - Damon Albarn
Lyrical territory
self_examination, travel_journey, nostalgia
03Deviation
The Now Now · vs · Gorillaz
Artist
This Album
Medium Energy
Energy · ↓ −10% less than usual
On this album, medium energy sits about 10% less prominent than across the rest of the artist's catalogue.
