If you grew up in London, you know that the August Bank Holiday is synonymous with Notting Hill Carnival. Every year, hundreds of thousands of revellers flood the streets of west London to rejoice in the multicoloured parades and sound systems that have come to define the annual event. But with coronavirus putting a halt on plans for a second year in a row, Gorillaz has paid tribute to its celebration of Black British culture with a surprise EP.
Titled Meanwhile, after Meanwhile Gardens where Gorillaz first performed during Carnival in 2000, the three-track EP follows on from the group’s star-studded Song Machine project last year, which included collaborations with artists like Robert Smith, Elton John, St. Vincent, ScHoolboy Q, Beck, slowthai, JPEGMAFIA, and more. Their new release enlists Ladbroke Grove’s AJ Tracey and Jelani Blackman, as well as London’s resident Jamaican-born Alicai ‘Hot Shot’ Harley, in a Caribbean-infused set of tracks that invoke the feel-good spirit of Carnival.
Elsewhere, Ninja Tune signee Tsha drops a club-ready EP, The Bug unveils his first album in seven years, and Space Afrika’s release is darkly compelling.
