Gorillaz have unveiled 'Damascus,' a new single from their upcoming album The Mountain, featuring rapper Yasiin Bey and Syrian singer Omar Souleyman. The track previews the band's ninth studio album, set for release on February 27, 2026. This collaboration highlights Gorillaz's tradition of globetrotting musical partnerships.
Single Overview
Gorillaz kicked off 'Damascus' with a atmospheric intro that builds into rumbling drums and synth stabs. Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, delivers rapid verses like 'Here to navigate the waves in the dark, no map/Stars in the heavens and a breeze on my back.' Omar Souleyman adds devotional Arabic lines, such as 'No, my first love/If you were dirt I wouldn’t step on you,' translated for English audiences. The uptempo groove blends Bey's chant-like raps with Souleyman's soaring vocals, creating a spirited preview of the album's eclectic sound.
Album Context
'Damascus' marks the fourth single from The Mountain, Gorillaz's ninth studio album and their debut on the KONG label. It follows 'The Happy Dictator' with Sparks, 'The God of Lying' with IDLES, and 'The Manifesto' with Trueno and Proof. Every track features collaborations, including Black Thought of the Roots, Johnny Marr, Paul Simonon of The Clash, Anoushka Shankar, and Indian musicians like Ajay Prasanna and Amaan Ali Bangash. Posthumous contributions come from Bobby Womack, Mark E. Smith of The Fall, Tony Allen, Dennis Hopper, and Dave Jolicoeur of De La Soul. The album explores themes of death and the unknown, as teased in recent coverage.
Release and Tour Plans
Originally slated for later, The Mountain's release has been advanced to February 27, 2026. To celebrate, Gorillaz will perform the album in full over two nights at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on February 22 and 23 (or 26, per varying reports). This ties into a limited House of Kong exhibition in LA from February 26 to March 19. Following that, an arena tour of the UK and Ireland begins March 21 in Manchester, extending through Europe until August.
