Gorillaz have shared the latest track from their Song Machine project, ‘Strange Timez’, featuring The Cure frontman Robert Smith. It’s the sixth “episode” the virtual band have released in the collaborative series this year, following team-ups with ScHoolboy Q, Octavian, Tony Allen and Skepta, Peter Hook, Fatoumata Diawara, slowthai and Slaves. The video for ‘Strange Timez’ sees the gang on an interplanetary voyage, and also prominently features Smith.
Coinciding with the track is the announcement of the forthcoming Season One – Strange Timez collection, which will collate 11 tracks (or 17 on the deluxe edition) featuring a range of collaborators. In addition to the above artists, Strange Timez will feature the likes of Beck, St Vincent, Elton John, 6LACK, and more. That’s out Friday, 23rd October.
While Song Machine is technically a follow-up to the band’s last studio album, 2018’s The Now Now, it’s hardly followed a traditional album release cycle – and indeed, is in “direct opposition” to the traditional approach.
“Song Machine is a whole new way of doing what we do. Gorillaz breaking the mold ‘cos the mold got old,” explained the band upon its announcement. “World is moving faster than a supercharged particle, so we’ve gotta stay ready to drop.”
To celebrate the project’s first collection, they’ll be sharing a livestream event titled Song Machine Live on 12th/13th December, promising “a unique blend of visuals and live Gorillaz performance”, with the live debut of songs from Season One – Strange Timez. More info on that here.
Stream ‘Strange Timez’ with Robert Smith – and check out the full tracklist – below.
Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez tracklist:
1. Strange Timez (ft. Robert Smith)
2. The Valley of The Pagans (ft. Beck)
3. The Lost Chord (ft. Leee John)
4. Pac-Man (ft. ScHoolboy Q)
5. Chalk Tablet Towers (ft. St Vincent)
6. The Pink Phantom (ft. Elton John and 6LACK)
7. Aries (ft. Peter Hook and Georgia)
8. Friday 13th (ft. Octavian)
9. Dead Butterflies (ft. Kano and Roxani Arias)
10. Désolé (ft. Fatoumata Diawara) (Extended Version)
11. Momentary Bliss (ft. slowthai and Slaves)
Deluxe tracklist:
1. Strange Timez (ft. Robert Smith)
2. The Valley of The Pagans (ft. Beck)
3. The Lost Chord (ft. Leee John)
4. Pac-Man (ft. ScHoolboy Q)
5. Chalk Tablet Towers (ft. St Vincent)
6. The Pink Phantom (ft. Elton John and 6LACK)
7. Aries (feat. Peter Hook and Georgia)
8. Friday 13th (ft. Octavian)
9. Dead Butterflies (ft. Kano and Roxani Arias)
10. Désolé (ft. Fatoumata Diawara) (Extended Version)
11. Momentary Bliss (ft. slowthai and Slaves)
12. Opium (ft. EARTHGANG)
13. Simplicity (ft. Joan As Police Woman)
14. Severed Head (ft. Goldlink and Unknown Mortal Orchestra)
15. With Love To An Ex (ft. Moonchild Sanelly)
16. MLS (feat. JPEGMAFIA and CHAI)
17. How Far? (ft. Tony Allen and Skepta)
