Gorillaz: Ranking The Albums Worst To Best

Gorillaz have proven to be one of the most beloved, consistently entertaining, and ever-evolving bands of their generation, maneuvering through their nuanced fusion work with grace and ease. Since their 2001 self-titled debut proved to be a massive hit with fans and critics worldwide, Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, and Remi Kabaka Jr., the main trio behind the virtual band, have been fearlessly exploring new territories while creating their futuristic, genre-blurring rock. The lore around these cartoon characters is enough to make an anime fan salivate, featuring characters with complex personalities that have evolved alongside their human companions. 

Gorillaz’s discography is more than a collection of face-melting LPs; it’s an entire universe with palpable emotions and relatable characters, and the next chapter of this story is upon us. With the band’s new album, The Mountain, only a short distance away, fans of the band, and the music world in general, are on the edge of their seat to see what Albarn, Hewlett, and Kabaka Jr. have in store for this new era of Gorillaz. 

With the anticipation of The Mountain thickening the air, Glide has sorted through Gorillaz’s ninr studio LPs to bring you our ranked list of the virtual band’s discography, so far. You can check out our list below, and explore Gorillaz’s past, as we anxiously await their future. 

9. The Fall 

Release Date: April 19, 2011

Recorded exclusively by Albarn during the band’s North American tour in support of Plastic Beach, and originally released only to members of the Gorillaz fan club, The Fall is a dark, reflective LP that showed signs of a change for the virtual band. Outside of features by Bobby Womack, Mick Jones, and Paul Simonon, these 15 intimate songs offer a vulnerable look into a band that is typically proud of the mystique they have established. These are futuristic folk tones for modern times, with highlights like the quaint “Revolving Doors,” the cinematic “The Parish of Space Dust,” and instrumental moments like the blissful “Aspen Forest.” While not the most exhilarating release in their discography, The Fall captures a rare moment of deeply personal self-analysis from Albarn. 

8. The Now Now

Release Date: June 29, 2018

After Gorillaz made their triumphant return the previous year with the release of Humanz, Albarn made a promise that new material from the band wouldn’t take another few years. Still, very few expected such a quick turnaround. In the same vein as The Fall, The Now Now found Albarn taking the helm on his own, beginning the writing and recording process while the band was touring Humanz. Where this 11-song album differs from its unofficial sister LP is in its completeness, making it a more focused effort and far from the dark introspection of The Fall. The synth-heavy tracklist features face-melting moments that warm the heart, like the folksy “Idaho,” or “Humility,” which sounds like the moment Albarn decided to release another vulnerable set of songs under the Gorillaz umbrella. The Now Now is an underrated moment in Gorillaz history, and one that deserves a revisit if you haven’t listened since its 2018 release. 

7. Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez 

Release Date: October 23, 2020

Released through a web series consisting of music videos and singles starring a star-studded cast, Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez is one of the most overlooked moments in the band’s career. Returning to the sprawling charm that made albums like Plastic Beach and Humanz so memorable, Gorillaz returned to their typical collaborative selves across 17 songs, the final six coming on the deluxe edition. With a wide-ranging list of guests, from JPEGMAFIA and Elton John to others, Song Machine lacks consistency but makes up for it with personality and undeniable flair. The ScHoolboy Q-assisted “Pac-Man” is one of the more underrated Hip-hop crossovers the band has created. “The Valley of Pagans,” featuring Beck, is a look into the band’s more mature indie rock sound. At the same time, “Aries” is a pop-tinted anthem that proves Gorillaz are still capable of making conventional anthems. 

6. Cracker Island 

Release Date: February 24, 2023 

The most recent Gorillaz LP, before the upcoming release of The Mountain, is brimming with hidden gems and dream collaborations. What began as a proper sequel to 2020’s Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez, evolved into a psychedelic, synth-heavy, stand-alone studio effort that finds Gorillaz experimenting with the limits of their individuality. Gorillaz dove into electronic dance music live never before, especially on highlights like the unforgettable, off-kilter grooves of “Skinny Ape,” the otherworldly, Stevie Nicks-assisted “Oil,” and the cascading nature of “Tarantula.” These moments of bright dance arrangements are juxtaposed with the longing in the songwriting, as if Gorillaz were trying to dance the pain away. Cracker Island is the moment the vulnerability of albums like The Fall met the lofty visions of Plastic Beach, resulting in a hectic yet concise snapshot from an established band. 

5. The Mountain

The psychedelic odyssey and latest studio release from Gorillaz prove to be their most ambitious and rewarding in years. The Mountain, the highly collaborative, warping 15-song LP, is a statement that reads as Gorillaz being far from done experimenting, maturing, and finding new ways to challenge themselves. Artists like Black Thought, Anoushka Shankar, and Ajay Prasanna become unofficial narrators throughout their multiple features, adding their otherworldly prowess to this mystifying tracklist of synth-drenched dance records and introspective rock. Highlights like “The Empty Dream Machine” and “Casablanca” find Albarn in a deep but meditative state. In contrast, moments like the explosive “The Manifesto” featuring Trueno and Proof, and Mark E. Smith-assisted “Delirium” find the band surrendering to dance. The Mountain is not just another feather in the cap of an established band; it is a statement that Gorillaz are not done, adding yet another stellar collaboration-heavy hit to their discography.

4. Plastic Beach 

Release Date: March 3, 2010

After skyrocketing to the top of the charts and into the hearts of music fans all over the world, Gorillaz used their newfound stardom to piece together their highly collaborative third LP, Plastic Beach. The conceptual and psychedelic outing would prove to be the band’s most focused release, exploring themes of environmentalism and creating a world for the listener to get lost in. While collaborations with greats like Little Dragon (“Empire Ants”) and Yasiin Bey (“Stylo” and “Sweepstakes”) stand out on this tracklist, it is the moments of solo Gorillaz that really steal the show. The gentle delivery of the poetically moving “On Melancholy Hill” and the infectious electronics of “Rhinestone Eyes” push this album past other moments in Gorillaz’s colorful discography. 

3. Humanz

Release Date: April 28, 2017

After a seven-year hiatus away, Album & co. found themselves in after the success of their early material, Humanz picks up right where Gorillaz left off; bending genre tropes to fit their neon-tinted, lofty visions. The extensive 26-song tracklist finds the band returning to a familiar formula, employing some of the most innovative voices in music and bringing them into sprawling soundscapes, while proving that the Gorillaz are still evolving into new territories. With fresh faces like Vince Staples, Kali Uchis, and DRAM making appearances on some of the most impressive moments on Humanz, this tracklist was an important step in the band re-entering the world. Other highlights include the hypnotic “Saturn Barz” featuring Popcaan, the downtrodden solo cut “Busted and Blue,” and the Benjamin Clementine-assisted, haunting ballad “Hallelujah Money.” The Gorillaz returned in the most on-brand way imaginable, and it continues to hold up as a favorite from the new era. 

2. Demon Days

Release Date: May 23, 2005 

If the Gorillaz’ debut album was the band proving their sonic range, their sophomore effort was an exercise in making a more honed tracklist. That is not to say that Demon Days is a cut-and-dry listen. With the 15-song tracklist leaping from refreshing takes on indie rock, like the hauntingly beautiful “O Green World” and the nimble yet immersive “Last Living Souls,” to deeper proof of the band’s passion for Hip-hop, like the smash hit “Feel Good Inc,” Demon Days is still a carnival ride of different influences. Despite this, the tracklist effortlessly flows between these musical worlds while keeping a keen eye on the daunting, almost pessimistic theme that flows through Gorillaz’s sophomore LP. 

1. Gorillaz 

Release Date: March 26, 2001

Call it favoritism, or maybe it’s simply cold, hard facts, but the Gorillaz’ self-titled debut continues to be one of the most impressive first outings of a rock band in modern music. The original 15 songs introduced the virtual band as a genre-blurring monster capable of mind-altering experimentation and creating radio-ready anthems. From the breezy longing of “Slow Country,” to the Hip-hop infused hit “Clint Eastwood,” all the way to the dance-club-friendly “Rock The House,” Albarn and company proved to be a daring and rewarding act. More straightforward indie rock tunes like “Tomorrow Comes Today” and “Re-Hash” showcased Gorillaz’s command over contemporary music.