Gorillaz have unveiled their third single from the upcoming album 'The Mountain,' titled 'The God of Lying,' which features IDLES frontman Joe Talbot. The reflective track explores themes of doubt, grief, and political division. It follows previous singles 'The Happy Dictator' with Sparks and 'The Manifesto' featuring Trueno and the late Proof of D12.
Single Details
The new song 'The God of Lying' was co-written by Gorillaz creator Damon Albarn and IDLES' Joe Talbot. Recorded in London, Devon, and Mumbai, it incorporates contributions from bansuri player Ajay Prasanna and percussionist Viraj Acharya. The track opens with introspective questions like 'Who am I?' and builds to lyrics sung by Talbot, including lines such as 'Are you happy with your housing? / Are you climbing up the walls?' The chorus evokes a sense of escape: 'Running to the exit, with a huge grin on my face / Screaming, hope is behind, and I want to get high.'
Gorillaz' fictional frontman 2D shared a statement: 'Can I tell you a secret? Doubt is very tiring but questioning things is really good for you.' The single was officially released on November 6, 2025, after being previewed at the band's phone-free 'House Of Kong' show in London in September 2025, where they also announced the album and performed it in full.
Album Context
'The Mountain' is Gorillaz' ninth studio album and a follow-up to 2023's 'Cracker Island.' Set for release on March 20, 2026, via the band's KONG label, it delves into motifs of grief and life's meaning, inspired by Albarn and co-creator Jamie Hewlett's personal losses and trips to India. Albarn reflected: 'Both Jamie and I lost our fathers... India is a very interesting place to carry grief, because they have a very positive outlook on death.'
The album features a diverse lineup including Black Thought, Omar Souleyman, Asha Puthli, Gruff Rhys, Yasiin Bey, Paul Simonon, Johnny Marr, and Anoushka Shankar, alongside ensembles like The London Arab Orchestra. 'Voices from Elsewhere' include Dennis Hopper, Bobby Womack, De La Soul's Dave Jolicoeur, Tony Allen, and Mark E. Smith. Unlike past releases, Gorillaz will forgo traditional animated videos for a one-off production.
Upcoming Tour
Gorillaz will support the album with a UK and Ireland tour in March 2025, hitting cities like Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool, Belfast, and Dublin, plus a headline show at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.