Cracker Island Explained

Cracker Island
Type:studio
Artist:Gorillaz
Cover:Cracker Island.png
Recorded:2020 – May 2022
Studio:
  • Greg Kurstin's (Los Angeles)
  • Studio 13 (London)
Length:37:26
Chronology:Gorillaz
Prev Title:Meanwhile EP
Prev Year:2021

Cracker Island is the eighth studio album by the British virtual band Gorillaz. It was released on 24 February 2023 via Parlophone and Warner Records. It features collaborations with Stevie Nicks, Adeleye Omotayo, Thundercat, Tame Impala, Bad Bunny, Bootie Brown and Beck. A deluxe edition was released with additional tracks featuring De La Soul, MC Bin Laden, Del the Funky Homosapien and Dawn Penn.

Cracker Island received mostly positive reviews. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number three on the US Billboard 200, making it the first Gorillaz album to reach number one in the UK since Demon Days (2005). It reached the top 10 in 19 countries.

Background

The majority of the work on the album began in 2021. "Tormenta", a song made in collaboration with Bad Bunny, was the first completed. It was originally intended to be the lead single for the second season of the web series Song Machine, before the project was shelved in favour of a traditional studio album (as was "New Gold", which would become the album's second single).[1] [2] According to Damon Albarn, co-creator of the Gorillaz, the new album was already completed in May 2022.[3] American record producer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Greg Kurstin served as the main producer for the record, alongside British music producer Remi Kabaka Jr.[4] The song "Baby Queen" was inspired by a 1997 meeting that Albarn had with Princess Siribha Chudabhorn at a Blur concert in Bangkok.[5]

Promotion

Five singles were released from the album. Gorillaz released the first single, "Cracker Island" (featuring bassist Thundercat), on 22 June 2022.[6] Along with this release, Gorillaz announced that the band would be following up the Meanwhile EP with a full new album. The name was announced as Cracker Island, with its release date, artwork and tracklist being revealed on 31 August, alongside the release of the second single, "New Gold" (featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown).[7] [8] The third single, "Baby Queen", was released on the FIFA 23 soundtrack on 30 September, after being leaked earlier that month;[9] it was officially released as a single on 4 November.[10] The fourth single, "Skinny Ape", was released on 8 December, alongside the announcement of two virtual shows in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus on 17 and 18 December, respectively.[11] The fifth single, "Silent Running" (featuring Adeleye Omotayo), was released on 27 January 2023, with a music video released on 8 February.[12] [13]

A deluxe edition of the album was released on 27 February featuring an additional five tracks: "Captain Chicken" featuring Del the Funky Homosapien (who collaborated with the band on their first album), "Controllah" featuring MC Bin Laden, "Crocadillaz" featuring De La Soul (with the late Trugoy the Dove)[14] and Dawn Penn, a 2D Piano Version of "Silent Running" featuring Adeleye Omotayo, and a Dom Dolla remix of "New Gold" featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown.[15] [16]

Critical reception

Cracker Island received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release. On Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the release received an average score of 80, based on 23 reviews, indicating generally favourable reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave the album a 7.1 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "less an exploration of new sonic territory so much as it is a reaffirmation of his strengths" and felt that "there's a clean, efficient energy propelling Cracker Island that gives the album a fresh pulse." Writing for Clash, Emma Harrison claimed hat, "this ten track album from Gorillaz is more akin to a sprint as opposed to a marathon on the virtual virtuosos' eighth studio album," and felt that, "despite its diminutive length, 'Cracker Island' packs one hell of a punch and spans genres far and wide." In DIY, Lisa Wright declared the album "very much a set piece that prioritises concept and narrative, resulting in one of Gorillaz's most restrained, contemplative releases yet - one that will perhaps appeal to fans of Albarn's solo work more than devotees of his monkeys' more genre-hopping forays."

In a more mixed assessment from Pitchfork, Ben Cardew said the album "walks a very thin line between playing to the band's strengths and relying too heavily on old tricks". Paul Attard was also critical in the review for Slant Magazine: "When left to his own devices (and stripped of his usual slew of Tumblr-approved guests), Albarn engineers some of Cracker Islands most stand-out material, albeit ones that still vary greatly in quality. Songs like the Greg Kurstin-produced 'Tarantula' and 'Skinny Ape,' while still containing some unnecessary passages (most conspicuously the latter's ska breakdown), are comparatively barebones and cleanly produced. Even better is 'Baby Queen,' a gorgeous piece of dream-pop that cuts back on Albarn's worst theatrical tendencies."

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes.

Musicians

Technical

Artwork

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[17] 1
Greek Albums (IFPI Greece)[18] 34
Icelandic Albums (Tónlist)[19] 11
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[20] 15
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[21] 34
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[22] 16
Swiss Albums (Romandy)[23] 1

Monthly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Uruguayan Albums (CUD)[24] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Vinyl Albums (ARIA)[25] 33
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[26] 164
UK Cassette Albums (OCC)[27] 20
UK Vinyl Albums (OCC)[28] 18
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[29] 37

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Langford. Jackson. 20 September 2021. Damon Albarn confirms Gorillaz collaboration with Bad Bunny. NME. 26 November 2022. 26 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221126235521/https://www.nme.com/news/music/damon-albarn-confirms-gorillaz-collaboration-with-bad-bunny-3049675. live.
  2. Web site: Lim. Eddy. Damon Albarn hints at Gorillaz and Tame Impala collaboration for 'Song Machine: Season Two'. NME. 28 October 2020. 26 November 2022. 7 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180358/https://www.nme.com/news/music/damon-albarn-hints-at-tame-impala-collaboration-for-song-machine-season-two-2801119. live.
  3. AllEyezOnGorillaz. 31 August 2022. Gorillaz Interview 2022 - New Album Announcement - BBC Radio 1. YouTube. video. 26 November 2022. 26 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221126235521/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSTJMmkbXUc. live.
  4. Web site: Garcia. Thania. Bad Bunny, Stevie Nicks and More Featured on New Gorillaz Album. Variety. 31 August 2022. 26 November 2022. 8 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230108194545/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/gorillaz-album-bad-bunny-stevie-nicks-thundercat-tame-impala-1235355889/. live.
  5. Web site: Gorillaz share 'Baby Queen', inspired by a stagediving Thai princess . . 6 November 2022 . 1 March 2023 . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301181624/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-share-baby-queen-inspired-by-a-stagediving-thai-princess-3343647 . live .
  6. Web site: Caraan . Sophie . 23 June 2022 . Gorillaz Tag Thundercat for New Single 'Cracker Island' . 26 November 2022 . . 8 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108233406/https://hypebeast.com/2022/6/gorillaz-thundercat-new-collab-cracker-island-single-stream . live .
  7. Web site: Chow. Katie. Gorillaz announce new album Cracker Island, out in February. The A.V. Club. 31 August 2022. 26 November 2022. 28 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221028055418/https://www.avclub.com/gorillaz-cracker-island-february-2023-tame-impala-beck-1849479238. live.
  8. Web site: Krol. Charlotte. 31 August 2022. Gorillaz announce new album 'Cracker Island', release 'New Gold' with Tame Impala and Bootie Brown. 31 August 2022. NME. 31 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220831192632/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-announce-new-album-cracker-island-release-new-gold-with-tame-impala-and-bootie-brown-3301856. live.
  9. Web site: Kenneally . Cerys . 4 November 2022 . Gorillaz release FIFA 23 song 'Baby Queen' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221105150126/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/gorillaz-release-fifa-23-song-baby-queen . 5 November 2022 . 6 November 2022 . The Line of Best Fit.
  10. Web site: Uitti . Jack . 5 November 2022 . Gorillaz Release New Song Inspired by Meeting with Thai Princess, 'Baby Queen' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221105223526/https://americansongwriter.com/gorillaz-release-new-song-inspired-by-meeting-with-thai-princess-baby-queen/ . 5 November 2022 . 6 November 2022 . . Savage Media Holdings.
  11. Web site: Jones. Damian. Gorillaz share upbeat new single 'Skinny Ape' and announce virtual shows in London and New York. NME. 8 December 2022. 8 December 2022. 8 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194622/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-share-upbeat-new-single-skinny-ape-and-announce-virtual-shows-in-london-and-new-york-3363411. live.
  12. Web site: Brodsky . Rachel . 26 January 2023 . Gorillaz – 'Silent Running' (Feat. Adeleye Omotayo) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127014315/https://www.stereogum.com/2211834/gorillaz-silent-running-feat-adeleye-omotayo/music/ . 27 January 2023 . 27 January 2023 . Stereogum.
  13. Web site: Jones. Damian. Gorillaz share new animated video for 'Silent Running' with Adeleye Omotayo. . 8 February 2023. 12 February 2023. 12 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230212141229/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-share-new-animated-video-silent-running-adeleye-omotayo-3394797. live.
  14. Web site: Pearls . Bill . 27 February 2023 . Gorillaz release 'Cracker Island' deluxe edition featuring De La Soul & more . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141730/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/gorillaz-release-cracker-island-deluxe-edition-featuring-de-la-soul-more/ . 11 March 2023 . 11 March 2023 . BrooklynVegan.
  15. Web site: Richards . Will . 27 February 2023 . Gorillaz share five new songs on 'Cracker Island' deluxe edition . 11 March 2023 . . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306203326/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-share-five-new-songs-on-cracker-island-deluxe-edition-3404833 . live .
  16. Web site: Kenneally . Cerys . 27 February 2023 . Gorillaz release deluxe version of Cracker Island album with five additional songs . 11 March 2023 . . 11 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141727/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/gorillaz-release-deluxe-version-of-cracker-island-album-with-five-additional-songs . live .
  17. Web site: Lista prodaje 9. tjedan 2023. (20.02.2023. - 26.02.2023.). 6 March 2023. TOP Lista HR. hr. 9 March 2023. 9 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230309223950/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-9-tjedan-2023/. live.
  18. Web site: Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) - Week: 11/2023. IFPI Greece. 3 April 2023. 3 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230403234040/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html. live.
  19. Web site: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 9: Birt 4. mars 2023 – Næst uppfært 11. mars 2023.. Plótutídindi. 25 April 2023. is. https://web.archive.org/web/20230308123837/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. 8 March 2023.
  20. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: March 6, 2023. Oricon. ja. 1 March 2023. 1 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230301032549/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2023-03-06/p/2/. live.
  21. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums: Week of March 1, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. 1 March 2023. 1 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230301054931/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2023&month=03&day=06. live.
  22. Web site: 2023 9-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 3 March 2023. 3 March 2023. 3 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230303122851/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s9/. live.
  23. Web site: Lescharts.ch – Gorillaz – Cracker Island. Hung Medien. fr. 21 March 2023.
  24. Web site: Rankings (March 2022) . . es . 25 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423174612/https://cudisco.org/ . 23 April 2023.
  25. Web site: 2023 ARIA Vinyl Albums Chart . . 10 February 2024.
  26. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2023. Ultratop. nl. 7 January 2024.
  27. Web site: The Official Top 20 biggest cassettes of 2023. Official Charts Company. Griffiths. George. 3 January 2024. 11 January 2024.
  28. Web site: The Official best-selling vinyl albums and singles of 2023. Official Charts Company. Ainsley. Helen. 4 January 2024. 11 January 2024.
  29. Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 23 November 2023.

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