Gorillaz - Gorillaz

Damon Albarn wanted to disappear. Behind Jamie Hewlett’s animated characters — Noodle, 2D, Russel, Murdoc — he could be anyone. In reality, Albarn couldn’t be masked: his voice is instantly recognizable on ‘Re-Hash’, that air of melancholy hanging over every moment. But he tried to hide because he had creative urges Blur couldn’t satisfy.

The debut Gorillaz album from 2001 is one of those essential 2000s records — trip-hop, dub, punk, hip-hop, bolero, all in one place, produced by Dan the Automator. Junior Dan brings the bass reggae pulse, Ibrahim Ferrer from Buena Vista Social Club brings Cuban elegance, Tom Tom Club are in pocket on ‘19-2000’. The result sold 7 million copies and anticipated the pop we listen to today.

Noel Gallagher called it ‘music for 12-year-olds’. He was only partially right.