After teasing their new project, Song Machine, over the last few days, Gorillaz have released the first episode, which includes a new song featuring slowthai and Slaves.
The episode and song – titled “Momentary Bliss” – give us a much better idea of what Song Machine is all about. (Though a preview of the song was posted on Wednesday, January 29, it wasn’t 100% clear what format the project would take.)
The new video features the members of Gorillaz hanging out for a casual, half-animated, half-live-action jam session with slowthai and Slaves, reflecting the more laid-back approach the virtual band are supposed to be taking toward collaborations.
“We don’t even know who’s stepping through the studio next,” said the drummer, Russel, in a previously-released statement.
Alongside the Song Machine episode come audio clips – or “Machine Bitez” – of conversations between the band members and the respective featured artists.
One contains the story of how Gorillaz’ 2-D originally met Slaves in an Aldi supermarket (relatable). Another records a conversation between the frontman and slowthai about what they got for Christmas (“a good hiding” for slowthai and a Louis Theroux t-shirt for 2-D) and the meaning of “Momentary Bliss”.
Watch the new episode and listen to the “Machine Bitez” below.
