Gorillaz - (The First Half Of) Song Machine, Season One (Review)
Gorillaz "Song Machine" Reviews Thus Far
6/13/20
Ever since late January, notorious virtual band Gorillaz masterminded by Damon Albarn has been releasing a series of tracks called “Song Machine”. These songs are well produced songs without any real link to one and other. Every song seems to shine a light on one or two English indie artists by featuring them and having the song itself focus on their vocals. The most recent example of this was up-and-coming British rapper Octavian. The official Song Machine tracks have all come out one either the last or second Thursday of almost every month. With exception of the latest song which came out on the second Tuesday of this month.
Today, I will be reviewing each song in a relatively brief paragraph with a number rating out of ten with a five word description summary. The first song being “Momentary Bliss”; released on Thursday, January 30th, 2020. The song features pretty new English rapper slowthai; known for his unique way of fusing rap and rock, and punk-rock band Slaves. As you can imagine, this would be a punk-rock song with rapping. It was definitely very punky, and also very high energy style. Then again, I still feel that punk rock is best done more gritty and raw. This aside, it’s still an amazing song. Giving this song a 1-10 using half numbers, I give this track an 8/10 with a five-word description of: “Punk rock, but cleanly produced.”
Next comes the second song “Désolé” featuring Malian actress and folk singer Fatoumata Diawara. This is a pretty sad song on paper with a weirdly sweet and perfect drumbeat that I can’t help mentioning. Overall, it’s got a great bridge and deep lyrics, but my main gripe with it is that it’s a little bland. Not that the song itself is bland, but the song gets more repetitive, and therefore makes itself bland. That aside, it’s still an amazing song. Then again, with the differences and new elements and instruments in every section of Momentary Bliss, I had higher expectations. This aside, it’s still a pretty great song. Giving this song a 1-10 using half numbers, I give this track a 7/10 with a five-word description of: “Astounding yet a little bland.”
Next comes episode three of Song Machine: “Aries” featuring drummer Georgia Barnes (known simply as Georgia) and English singer Peter Hook of Joy Division fame. This remains my favorite song from the Song Machine series thus far. Its crisp production suits it really well, making it more unlike Momentary Bliss in that way. The song is very focused on the alternative indie genre, with its bittersweet guitars and somewhat faint drums. In my personal opinion, this song shines in its touching and beautiful harmonies over the chorus. Giving this song a 1-10 using half numbers, I give this track a 9/10 with a five-word description of: “Amazing with nearly no flaws.”
I felt that it was noting that after this song came “How Far?”; what seemed to merely be a tribute to and featuring late famous Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. This wasn’t technically an entry in the Song Machine series by Gorillaz, but I thought it was worth discussing. Strangely, no Gorillaz voice actors or even Damon himself were featured on the song. It was only an astounding rap verse from English rapper Skepta with a few spooky things from Tony Allen himself in between. The lyrics of the song were insanely deep and intelligent as well. Giving this song a 1-10 using half numbers, I give this track an 8.5/10 with a five-word description of: “just a deep, beautiful rap.”
The fourth and final official Song Machine entry was “Friday 13th” featuring pretty new English trap-rapper Octavian. First, I find it fair to talk about the songs impeccable production. It feels like a clean synth with an electronic beat, and yet so raw and rugged. The song also features deep and personal lyrics displayed in a unique way by Octavian, who is the vocal highlight throughout most of the song. My only problem with the song is a personal thing, being Octavian’s strange yet interesting vocal performance. Perhaps this song will be bumped up on my rating scale as it inevitably grows on me throughout the next month or so. Giving this song a 1-10 using half numbers, I give this track a 7.5/10 with a five-word description of: “a weird song beyond rapping.” After reviewing every song from what we think is the full first half of the Song Machine series, I feel that it’s only right to review this half of Song Machine as a whole. So, giving the first half of Song Machine a 1-10 using half numbers, I give it an 8.5/10 with a five-word description of: “more really good Gorillaz songs.”
Note: I’m aware that if you find the average of all of my ratings in this essay, it rounds perfectly to an 8/10 instead of an 8.5, but I feel like together, the songs really work. I’m honestly not sure why, I just feel that this rating is more right.
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