Ethan Clarke
Gorillaz's third studio album, Plastic Beach, was released in Japan on March 3, 2010, and internationally on March 8, 2010, with a US release the following day. The album was recorded from June 2008 to November 2009 in various locations, including London, New York City, and Damascus. Plastic Beach is a concept album with environmentalist themes, presenting a secret floating island made up of marine pollution. It features collaborations with several artists, including Snoop Dogg, Gruff Rhys, De La Soul, and Bobby Womack. Upon its release, Plastic Beach debuted at #2 on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, selling over 74,432 and 112,000 copies, respectively, in its first week.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Release date | 3 March 2010 (Japan), 8 March 2010 (International), 9 March 2010 (US) |
| Recording period | June 2008-November 2009 |
| Recording locations | London, New York City, Damascus, Beirut, Derby |
| Producers | Damon Albarn (self-produced) |
| Artists featured | Snoop Dogg, Gruff Rhys, De La Soul, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, Lou Reed, Mark E. Smith, Bashy, Kano, Little Dragon, Sinfonia Viva, National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music |
| Number of songs | 16-19 |
| Cover art | 4 variations: daytime, afternoon, dusk, nighttime |
| Album booklet artwork | 2-D sitting on a boat, holding a picture frame containing the cover art for David Bowie's 1971 album Hunky Dory |
| Sales | Sold over 74,432 copies in the first week in the UK and over 112,000 copies in the first week in the US; total worldwide sales exceed 1.45 million copies |
| Chart performance | Debuted at #2 on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200 |
| Singles | Stylo, Superfast Jellyfish, On Melancholy Hill, Rhinestone Eyes, White Flag |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic Beach was released on 3 March 2010 in Japan and 8 March internationally
- The album is Gorillaz' third and features a large roster of guest artists
- Damon Albarn self-produced the album, recording from June 2008 to November 2009
- The album has environmentalist themes, presenting Plastic Beach as a secret floating island [...] made up of the detritus, debris, and washed-up remnants of humanity
- Four singles were released from the album: 'Stylo', 'Superfast Jellyfish', 'On Melancholy Hill', and 'Rhinestone Eyes'
Plastic Beach was released on 3 March 2010 in Japan and 8 March internationally
Plastic Beach, the highly anticipated third studio album by the virtual band Gorillaz, finally arrived in 2010, marking a new chapter in their unique and innovative musical journey. The album's release dates were strategically staggered, with Japan getting an early taste of the record on March 3, 2010. Just a few days later, on March 8, the album washed up on international shores, captivating fans and critics alike with its eclectic blend of sounds and collaborative brilliance. This global rollout created a wave of excitement and anticipation, ensuring that the project gained immediate worldwide attention.
The brainchild of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, Plastic Beach showcased the band's ongoing evolution and their ability to push creative boundaries. With a star-studded list of collaborators, including Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, and Bobby Womack, the album expanded upon the band's signature blend of alternative rock, hip-hop, and electronic sounds, resulting in a diverse and captivating listening experience. The album's release was a significant moment in the band's career, building upon the success of their previous albums, *Gorillaz* (2001) and *Demon Days* (2005).
The March 2010 release date also held symbolic value for the band. By dropping the album in early spring, they tapped into a sense of renewal and rebirth, reflecting the innovative and experimental nature of the project. Moreover, the international release on March 8 carried a subtle nod to International Women's Day, a global celebration of women's achievements, a theme that resonates with the band's inclusive and progressive spirit.
With its release, *Plastic Beach* immediately made waves, both critically and commercially. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, achieving gold certification in several countries, including the UK and the US. The album's success extended beyond sales figures, as it also garnered widespread critical acclaim for its ambitious vision and diverse musical palette.
The staggered release dates in Japan and internationally also reflected the band's thoughtful approach to their art. By giving Japan an early release, they acknowledged the country's significant music market and the dedicated fan base that had embraced their unique brand of alternative music. This strategic rollout contributed to the overall success of the album and further solidified Gorillaz's global impact and influence.
Plastic Beach continues to be a landmark release in the Gorillaz discography, known for its ambitious scope and genre-defying soundscapes. Its release in March 2010 marked a pivotal moment in the band's trajectory, showcasing their unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries and delivering thought-provoking concepts to a global audience.
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The album is Gorillaz' third and features a large roster of guest artists
Plastic Beach is the third studio album by the English virtual band Gorillaz. It was released in Japan on March 3, 2010, and internationally by Parlophone on March 8, 2010, with a US release by Virgin Records on March 9. The album features a larger roster of guest artists compared to previous Gorillaz albums, including Snoop Dogg, Gruff Rhys, De La Soul, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, Lou Reed, Mark E. Smith, Bashy, Kano, Little Dragon, and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Damon Albarn, the co-creator of Gorillaz, wanted to work with an "eclectic, surprising cast of people" on the album.
Plastic Beach is the only Gorillaz album to feature the band's studio/home on the cover art. It is also the second album not to feature any of the members on the cover. The album has four different variations of the cover art: a daytime version, an afternoon version, a dusk version, and a nighttime version. The album's booklet artwork features an image of 2-D, one of the band's virtual members, sitting on a boat and holding a picture frame containing the cover art for David Bowie's 1971 album Hunky Dory.
Upon its release, Plastic Beach debuted at #2 on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. It also peaked within the top ten of several other countries. The album received generally positive reviews from critics and appeared on various lists of the best albums of 2010. It has sold over 1.45 million copies worldwide. Four singles were released from the album: "Stylo", "Superfast Jellyfish", "On Melancholy Hill", and "Rhinestone Eyes", along with the minor single "White Flag", which was released for Record Store Day 2010.
Plastic Beach was recorded from June 2008 to November 2009 in various locations, including London, New York City, and Damascus. Unlike previous Gorillaz albums, which were recorded with outside producers, Albarn chose to self-produce Plastic Beach. The album evolved from an unfinished project entitled Carousel, which Gorillaz co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett began conceptualizing in late 2007.
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Damon Albarn self-produced the album, recording from June 2008 to November 2009
Gorillaz's album Plastic Beach was released in 2010, but the creative process for this album began much earlier. Damon Albarn, the frontman of the virtual band Gorillaz, took on the role of self-producing this record, and the recording process took place over a period of about a year and a half, starting in June 2008. This album marked a shift in the band's dynamic, as it was the first Gorillaz record that wasn't primarily created in Albarn's home studio. Instead, he opted for a more mobile approach, recording in a variety of locations to suit his collaborative needs.
The recording process was an international endeavor, with sessions taking place in a number of countries. Albarn began recording in June 2008 at Studio 13 in London, where he laid down the album's foundations. He then took the project on the road, recording in a number of international studios, including spots in Syria, Lebanon, and England, to name a few. This mobile recording style allowed Albarn to collaborate with a diverse array of artists, a key element of Gorillaz's sound and identity.
One of the key collaborators on Plastic Beach was the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music, with whom Albarn recorded in Damascus. This collaboration added a unique, Middle Eastern flavor to the album's sound palette. The orchestra's contribution is especially prominent on the song "White Flag," which also features the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music, recorded in Beirut. These international influences and collaborations expanded the Gorillaz sound, showcasing Albarn's ability to merge diverse genres and styles.
The self-producing role allowed Albarn to have complete creative control over the album's direction. He had previously co-produced the first two Gorillaz albums, but this time he took full responsibility. This freedom allowed him to experiment and explore new sonic territories, resulting in an album that pushed the boundaries of the band's sound. The final product, Plastic Beach, is a testament to Albarn's vision and production skills, showcasing his ability to create a cohesive and innovative record despite the varied recording locations and multitude of collaborators.
The recording process for Plastic Beach concluded in November 2009, and the album was then mixed and mastered before its release in March 2010. The final tracklist featured a diverse array of guests, reflecting the global journey that Albarn had undertaken during the recording process. Overall, the creation of Plastic Beach demonstrated Damon Albarn's dedication to his artistic vision, as well as his ability to manage and produce a complex and ambitious project.
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The album has environmentalist themes, presenting Plastic Beach as a secret floating island [...] made up of the detritus, debris, and washed-up remnants of humanity
The Gorillaz's album 'Plastic Beach' was released on March 3, 2010. This album is unique in that it explores environmentalist themes and presents a fictional narrative centered around a secret floating island made up of human-made waste and washed-up remnants.
The concept of 'Plastic Beach' is a creative and thought-provoking take on environmental issues. The album's narrative centers on the idea of a hidden island, a literal 'plastic beach,' formed and surrounded by the discarded debris and detritus of human civilization. This island, imagined as a toxic paradise, serves as a commentary on consumer culture and the detrimental impact of human activity on the environment.
Through its lyrics and musical storytelling, the album touches on themes of pollution, waste, and the impact of human consumption on the natural world. The imaginary island, with its man-made origin story, becomes a metaphor for the state of the planet, highlighting the issue of plastic pollution and the long-lasting impact of human waste. The album's release in 2010 was timely, as it added to the growing global conversation around environmental conservation and the need for sustainable practices.
The band's co-creator, Jamie Hewlett, elaborated on this theme, stating that the concept emerged from the idea of 'an island made of rubbish' and that 'the ocean current takes all the rubbish to one place and it all just collects there.' This visualization of a trash-filled island serves as a stark reminder of the very real issue of plastic pollution and the impact of human consumption on the planet.
The album's artwork and accompanying music videos further enhance this environmentalist message. The visual aesthetic often features trash-filled landscapes and a unique, otherworldly atmosphere, blending the natural with the artificial. By presenting a secret island made up of human waste, the Gorillaz successfully drew attention to the issue, encouraging listeners to reflect on their relationship with the environment and the impact of their consumption habits.
Overall, the release of 'Plastic Beach' in 2010 showcased the Gorillaz's ability to merge creative storytelling with relevant social issues. By presenting a fictional narrative centered around an island of detritus, they effectively highlighted the very real issue of environmental degradation and encouraged listeners to consider their role and impact on the planet.
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Four singles were released from the album: 'Stylo', 'Superfast Jellyfish', 'On Melancholy Hill', and 'Rhinestone Eyes'
Gorillaz's third studio album, Plastic Beach, saw the release of four singles: "Stylo", "Superfast Jellyfish", "On Melancholy Hill", and "Rhinestone Eyes".
"Stylo", the first single from the album, was released on 26 January 2010. The song features guest vocals from Bobby Womack and Mos Def. Womack, who knew nothing about Gorillaz before the collaboration, was convinced by his daughter to take part in the recording. Damon Albarn, the frontman, initially wanted Barry Gibb to feature on the song, but due to an ear infection, he had to back out. "Stylo" received positive reviews from Pitchfork and Rolling Stone and charted on the "bubbling under" chart of the Billboard Hot 100 at number 103. It was also the first Gorillaz song to appear on any Japanese chart, peaking at number eight.
"Superfast Jellyfish", the second single from the album, was released on 9 May 2010. The song features vocals from Gruff Rhys, the lead singer of Super Furry Animals, and from De La Soul, who had previously collaborated with Gorillaz on "Feel Good Inc.". The track premiered on BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe show, and an hour later, it was uploaded to the official Gorillaz YouTube channel.
"Rhinestone Eyes" was initially intended to be released as the fourth single from the album, with promotional singles being sent to radio stations across the United States. However, the band decided to release the non-album single "Doncamatic" instead. The song was performed live for the first time at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth on 21 March 2010 and was played at all the shows of their Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour.
"On Melancholy Hill" was also released as a single from the album, with an official music video uploaded to YouTube.
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Frequently asked questions
Gorillaz' Plastic Beach came out on 3 March 2010 in Japan, 8 March 2010 internationally, and 9 March 2010 in the US.
Plastic Beach is a concept album that adopts environmentalist themes. It presents the titular Plastic Beach as a "secret floating island deep in the South Pacific... made up of the detritus, debris, and washed-up remnants of humanity," inspired by marine pollution such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Plastic Beach sold over 112,000 copies in its first week of sales in the US.
Four singles were released from Plastic Beach: Stylo, Superfast Jellyfish, On Melancholy Hill, and Rhinestone Eyes. A minor single, White Flag, was also released for Record Store Day in 2010.
Plastic Beach features a large roster of guest artists, including Snoop Dogg, Gruff Rhys, De La Soul, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, Lou Reed, Mark E. Smith, Bashy, Kano, and Little Dragon.
