Gorillaz Prepare Their Virtual Polymer Swim Trunks

It’s been about four years since we last heard from the dub-hop pop-rock virtual band Gorillaz, but that’s not to say that gears haven’t been in motion. Before reuniting with Blur for a string of magnificent and massively-populated shows, frontman Damon Albarn had been devoting himself entirely to the third full-length Gorillaz effort, tentatively titled Plastic Beach.

Plastic Beach is expected next year and will be Gorillaz’ first full studio album since 2005’s multiplatinum, heavily-worshipped Demon Days. The group’s much-anticipated return will reportedly feature a stylistic kaleidoscope of guests, including Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, The Horrors and Barry Gibb.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Albarn referred to the in-utero album a “pop record” with orchestral elements. “I did loads of orchestral stuff with the Syrian National Orchestra and managed to get bits of all of them on the record,” he said, “but essentially I’m trying to make a pop record so it can’t be totally orchestral.”

Damon found unusual inspiration in his disgust with the cult of disposable personality. “I’ve tried to connect pop sensibility with trying to make people understand the essential melancholy of buying a ready made meal in loads of plastic packaging. People who watch ‘X Factor’ might have some emotional connection to these things, that detritus that accompanies what seems the most essential thing in people’s lives these days, the celebrity, the voyeurism.”

Albarn has also reunited with Flea and Tony Allen for a new album of totally unrelated material. The trio had previously collaborated on the Africa Express project.

If you need a little help remembering how much better Gorillaz are than the brain-tick of a track that was Clint Eastwood, here’s a little something to jog your memory:

In the meantime, Blur have released a trailer for their upcoming reunion documentary No Direction Left To Run. Check it out:

Looks like a happy little nostalgia trip, no?