Meanwhile EP explained

Meanwhile EP
Type:	EP
Artist:	Gorillaz
Cover:	Meanwhile EP.png
Released:	26 August 2021
Genre:	Reggae^[1]
Length:	9:53
Producer:	Gorillaz Remi Kabaka Jr.
Chronology:	Gorillaz
Prev Year:	2020
Next Title:	Cracker Island
Next Year:	2023

Meanwhile EP is an extended play by English virtual band Gorillaz, released on 26 August 2021. The EP was released as a celebration of Notting Hill Carnival in London, England, an annual event that was cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[2]

Background

On 29 June 2021, Damon Albarn revealed in an interview with NME that Gorillaz was working on new "carnival-themed music", saying that their upcoming record would return to the band's roots.^[3]

On 10 August 2021, Gorillaz debuted three new songs, "Meanwhile" (featuring British rapper Jelani Blackman), "Jimmy Jimmy" (featuring British rapper AJ Tracey), and "Déjà Vu" (featuring Jamaican singer Alicaì Harley), during a free concert at The O₂ Arena in London, England exclusively for National Health Service employees and their families. They then performed them again at the subsequent concert open to the public the next day (both of which served as the first live audience concerts of the Song Machine Tour).^[4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Damon Albarn, Remi Kabaka Jr., and the tracks' respective guest(s).

Personnel

Gorillaz

• • Damon Albarn – vocals, production, bass, keyboards, steelpans, guitar, melodica Jamie Hewlett – artwork, design
• Stephen Sedgwick – mixing
• Remi Kabaka Jr. – production, percussion, drum programming
• John Davis – mastering
• Samuel Egglenton – engineering
• Femi Koleoso – drums
• Mike Smith – keyboards
• Jeff Wootton – guitar
• Jesse Hackett – keyboards
• Karl Vanden Bossche – percussion
• Seye Adelekan – bass

Additional musicians

• Jelani Blackman – vocals
• Barrington Levy – vocals
• Jorja Smith – additional vocals
• Isabelle Dunn – cello
• Nina Foster – violin
• Oli Langford – violin
• Sarah Tuke – violin
• AJ Tracey – vocals
• Alicaì Harley – vocals
• Ade Omotayo – additional vocals
• Angel Silvera – additional vocals
• Matt Maijah – additional vocals
• Michelle Ndegwa – additional vocals
• Petra Luke – additional vocals
• Rebecca Freckleton – additional vocals

Additional technical

• Alicaì Harley – programming
• Dave Guerin – engineering
• Matt Butcher – engineering, mixing

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hear Gorillaz Tribute To West London On New Meanwhile EP. Spin. Whitaker. Marisa. 26 August 2021.
2. Web site: Gorillaz – 'Meanwhile' EP review: a joyous celebration of Notting Hill Carnival. NME. Williams. Kyann-Sian. 26 August 2021.
3. Web site: Damon Albarn on new "carnival-themed" Gorillaz music and talk of a Blur reunion. NME. 29 June 2021. Andrew Trendell.
4. Web site: Guttridge-Hewitt. Martin. 11 August 2021. Gorillaz debut three new songs at free concert for NHS workers. 25 August 2021. DJ Mag.