Superlatives
A Vulture series in which artists judge the best and worst of their own careers.
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Damon Albarnprobably didnt anticipate the devastating global reach of COVID-19 when he once again revivedGorillazin late January.
Or maybe he did.
Maybe that was the point all along.
After all, Albarn is a melancholy and adaptable pop-music wizard who works best in bleak times.
Albarn, who understandshow numbing and bland history can feel, is most proud of this foresight.
Im a kind of pop Nostradamus, he laughs.
The title is an honor.
The remote connection of the Gorillaz feels especially appropriate now.
These episodes will be gripping, no doubt, he continues.
And life will go on.
What this has to teach us is to pause.
We will get through it, just not everyone will get through it.
But thats the reality on planet Earth any day of the year.
We live in an era of hysteria, and this is a manifestation of that hysteria.
Best Gorillaz Song
Clint Eastwood.
I mean you dont get more perfect than that, really.
Its just complete hybrid, weird shit.
Best Gorillaz Album
Theyre all works in progress, really.
[2017s]Humanzwas a subterranean, weird night.
And this one I dont know, what will it sound like by the time its finished?
I have no idea.
But it will be interesting.
Its a whole year in our lives really.
Most Underrated Gorillaz Album
The Fall.
I didnt finish it, but that doesnt mean it isnt a great album.
If you might just imagine the songs being finished, it would be marvelous [laughs].
Most Overrated Gorillaz Album
There isnt one.
Worst Gorillaz Song
Why cant you ask what the worst Gorillaz video is?
Worst Music Video
Strobelite.
They were just world-class in their delivery.
No one can do what [Happy Mondays front man] Shaun Ryder does.
Its about who is leading the energy in that moment in time.
Best Jamie Hewlett Moment
Im a great fan of the Tomorrow Comes Today video.
I love the aesthetic of that one.
You know, stuff like El Manana is so beautiful.
He can do so many things.
Hes like me, he just likes trying different things.
Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we dont get it quite so right.
But we never get it wrong.
Because there is no wrong.
Strangest Use of Feel Good Inc.
It wasnt really my cup of tea.
Just listening at the letterbox.
Best B Side
Hong Kong.
I love that song very dearly.
Thats one of my best songs.
I feel like it carries a lot of poignancy now.
Especially the bit at the end about the DJ being the last one to leave.
Most Blur-like Gorillaz Track
I dont feel theres a huge amount of difference between the two.
Girls and Boys could have been a great Gorillaz song.
Song 2, too; Gorillaz has a drum machine.
I play all the instruments [laughs], thats the bloody difference.
When you hear Gorillaz, its just basically me when it comes to the music.
I never worked with Remi when I was in Blur; its just different.
But my contribution is the same.
I dont suddenly become a different person.
In a sense, Gorillaz is what I would have been if I hadnt been in Blur.
Most American Thing Youve Done
Gorillaz is my most Pan-American band.
I include South America in that.
Blur was my most British band.
And The Good, The Bad & The Queen is my most English band.
Song 2 was an American song.
That should have been called The Wooo-hoo Song.
People are like, Fucking [Albarn wooo-hoos loudly] oh hell yeah, Iknowthat one.
The wooo-hoos they love.
The names have always been distracting to what the actual hooks are.
Like, Clint Eastwood should be I Aint Happy.
Thats where Ive been going wrong.
Ive got to amend that.
I dont know why I keep doing it to be honest with you.
I find it very hard, the whole process.
I love writing music.
I find it relatively effortless.
But the lyrics I find really difficult.
Sometimes I would like to be more like Elton John in the sense that he had Bernie Taupin.
However embarrassed I am by my lyrics, I need to deliver that embarrassment.
Most Joyous Musical Moment
Listening toBuena Vista Social Clubwhen my partner was pregnant.
That was the most joyous experience music has ever given me.
Moment You Wanted to Quit the Most
I never wanted to quit.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
