We cannot deny the genius of the Gorillaz—the virtual animated band that can only exist on screen, has now become somewhat of a cult musical favourite. We have to give props where it’s due – Damon Albarn and visual artist Jamie Hewlett definitely struck gold with the Gorillaz concept.

Plastic Beach, Gorillaz’s third release, continues with their genre-bending sounds, and enlisting a large host of talent from legendary soul singer Bobby Womack, Little Dragon, Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Gruff Rhys (of Super Furry Animals), The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music, to De La Soul to name a few.

Plastic Beach skillfully caters to everyone in some way or another, masterfully blending different cultures and genres together, but also giving the Gorillaz a level of maturity within all the gimmickry. The ultimate highs on Plastic Beach are “Empire Ants” featuring Little Dragon, which starts off with metaphorical, breezy lyrics, then launches into a bass-driven Euro-pop dance track where Yukimi’s vocal lullaby floats beautifully over the song. “Sweepstakes” comes with three musical changes, starting with futuristic repetitive chimes that build into a full clash of percussions, drums, bass, horns, and keys, then add Mos Def‘s matter-of-fact repeat of “You’re a winner,” is quite clever, because the tune is a winner. Putting The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music together with UK rappers Kano and Bushy on “White Flag” is an instantaneous head nod.

Overall, Plastic Beach is a happy listen, although Danger Mouse is missing on the production (Danger Mouse has been busy with his new band, Broken Bells, whose self-titled debut album comes out today as well), but to Albarn’s defense, he still managed to push the envelope in sounds and bought in a great mix of artists to assist in unfolding the story of our beloved 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel. Now, can we get Gorillaz: The Movie, please?

Check out the Little Dragon and Mos Def tunes below, then get yourself a copy; it’s available everywhere!

“Empire Ants” feat. Little Dragon

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“Sweepstakes” feat. Mos Def and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

After seven years, Massive Attack, the progenitors of the trip hop sound are back with a new album, Heligoland. During the summer, they released the single “Spitting the Atom” for free download featuring the wonderful vocals of reggae veteran, Horace Andy. With Heligoland, their fifth release, the journey contains their usual distorted guitars, orchestral arrangements, haunting drums and percussions – reminiscent of Bjork’s earlier works. Still using the sleepy vocals of Martina Topley-Bird on “Babel” and “Psyche,” Horace Andy also on “Girl I Love You,” and new collaborative additions with Guy Harvey (Elbow), Damon Albarn (the Gorillaz), Tunde Adebimpe (TV On The Radio) — the return is nothing short of what we’d expect from this innovative band.

As always, their album art work always pushes the envelop. Not many know of the movement Robert “3D” Del Naja has created in designing album covers for particular bands; his work is highly influenced by the late Jean Michel Basquiat. Read this Guardian.co.uk article about his visual art of darkness.

Below are my favourite cuts off the album. Heligoland is available at iTunes, Amazon, and other retailers.

“Atlas Air”

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“Babel” feat. Martina Topley-Bird

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