He is taking the fall for Jho Low.

For anyone who doesn't know who Jho Low is, he is the sam bankman fried of a decade or so ago. Stole most of the development funds provided by international lenders to the government of Malaysia by convincing the international elite that he was a financial genius and throwing really great parties.

> It seems like Damon is just wanting to collaborate with a lot of different people, but he's not picking artists with very strong, unique voices

I'm wondering how much the publisher executives have a say in his creative choices

I don't think it's "worse" musically speaking, they are still master of their trade; but more bland, surely, less vibe and spirit, at least that's how it sounds to me, just my opinion.

I don't think it's nostalgia in this case, I remember the first time I listened to Plastic Beach VS first time I listened to Humanz, not the same experience

The last Daft Punk album (25 years in iirc?) didn't feel at all neglected, you can still feel a lot of passion in what they're doing.

Brian jonestown massacre is 35+ iirc and their latest single (Fudge, 2022) is absolutely fantastic.

Godspeed you! Black emperor is about 30, yet their latest album (2022) is just incredible, best thing they did since Storm.

Look up "ghetto Superstar" on Spotify or YouTube (it's a song)

For me… Ozzy, Alice In Chains, GNR, and Iron Maiden

Not exactly similar but Peter Gabriel's The Passion is great stuff.

Have a listen to “One Thing Left to Try” by MGMT

Just curious, what artists have got better for you that have been making music for over 30 years?

Is it Pepas by Farruko?

I think we’re both just swayed by nostalgia and their music style has changed a bit. It’s not worse, it’s just a little differently.

Quality post, I respect it 👌

Their entire first album is genuinely great imo

Happy by Pharrell Williams

That gets hard because there's so much overlap between hard rock and heavy metal and a bit of debate to which bands belong in which categories.

Heavy metal: Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead
Hard rock: Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, AC/DC, Scorpions, Aerosmith or Deep Purple

The first album had something really special. The original set of collaborators brought a LOT of creative energy and interest to the project (Miho Hatori in particular, but of course also Del and Automator).

The collaborations on Demon Days weren't as strong. Danger Mouse brought some great sounds, but his productions don't have the level of personality (or even quality imo) as those of Dan Nakamura. Miho and Del were also both absent, so the sort of goofy, playful quality was really pulled back.

I haven't heard anything great from the band since then, with the exception of Plastic Beach, which has a handful of really good cuts, and is a more cohesive album than most of the stuff since DD.

It seems like Damon is just wanting to collaborate with a lot of different people, but he's not picking artists with very strong, unique voices comparable to the original Gorillaz. The albums end up being just sort of left-field-ish pop projects with tons of features, really not too far off a Bruno Mars record.

These days Gorillaz represent average songwriting, good production, inconsistent narrative and style, awesome visuals, and Damon's vocals (which are always solid imo).

Odyssey - Rival Consoles https://open.spotify.com/track/3pAlKMwng8S0zlKL71glZD?si=4f3ZLKRSRd6cZiuCmCVUDw

I don't think they gave up, they just... changed.

Like, it kind of reminds me of the career arc Trent Reznor went through, except Albarn is still in his "trying to find his new niche after kinda crapping the bed" stage that Reznor got through much quicker. Humanz and Cracker Island feel like albums from an artist who's realizing he's getting old as hell and trying to find a new angle.

He was in the Fugees. He’s been accused of working for/with China and not registering as an agent of China. Corruption, extortion type charges.

This playlist always gets me pumped when I drive... Pop Rocks w/ Coke

Bat Out Of Hell

Or

Ace Of Spades

Pras Michel，this guy work for ccp.

shame of him.

Who’s Pras Michel?what did he do?

I don’t understand the comments but the article is pretty wild and worth the read if you want to learn more about this.

Thanks so much! That totally makes sense why it isn't on the live performances.