Gorillaz Honor Lost Legends in India-Inspired Album

When Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett both lost their fathers within 10 days of each other, they channeled their grief into something beautiful: a musical journey up a mountain in India.

The result is The Mountain, the ninth album from their virtual band Gorillaz. The record blends British musicians, rappers, and traditional Indian virtuosos into an uplifting exploration of life, death, and what comes after.

The project started after personal tragedy struck both creators. Hewlett traveled to Jaipur in 2023 as his mother-in-law passed away, while Albarn later scattered his father's ashes on the banks of the Ganges River. His dad Keith was an artist who loved Hindu music and culture.

Rather than dwell in sadness, they embraced the Hindu concept of Samsara: the idea that death isn't an ending, but a transition in an endless cycle of rebirth. That philosophy breathes through every track on the album.

The 15-song collection brings voices back to life in the most touching way. Albarn discovered unused recordings from studio sessions spanning Gorillaz's 25-year history, finding hidden gems from artists who have since passed.

Soul legend Bobby Womack and De La Soul's Dave Jolicoeur appear on the contemplative song The Moon Cave. Post-punk poet Mark E. Smith fronts a nocturnal groove on Delirium, crafted from unused recordings from 12 years ago. Rapper Proof from Eminem's D12 collective delivers powerful bars on the seven-minute standout The Manifesto.

"They are alive really because they're here with us," Albarn says simply.

The living legends shine just as brightly. The album showcases renowned Indian musicians recorded across Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajasthan, and Varanasi. Flautist Ajay Prasanna, sitarist Anoushka Shankar (daughter of Ravi Shankar), and percussionist Viraj Acharya weave traditional sounds throughout the record.

One of the most personal moments comes on The Sweet Prince, written days after his father's death. Albarn sings directly to his dad: "Don't be sad, the sword you hold in your hand, well its mighty blow will set you on your patterned path into the next life."

The project includes a hand-drawn animated short film to accompany the music. "No computers," Hewlett notes, pushing back against current AI trends in a celebration of traditional craftsmanship.

Why This Inspires

The Mountain transforms something painful into something that connects us all. By exploring grief through the lens of different cultures and bringing together voices across time and geography, Gorillaz created something that feels less like mourning and more like celebration.

The album reminds us that the people we lose stay with us in the art they created, the traditions they honored, and the love they shared.

After 25 years, Gorillaz proves that virtual bands can create very real human connections.