Where do you go after the end of the world? It's been just over a year since Damon Albarn's virtual band soundtracked the Trumpocalypse with Humanz, a concept album of party music to play while the world burned.
While the title of Gorillaz new record suggests an answer, with itsfocus on the immediate, the cartoon musos nimbly sidestep the question. Unlike its predecessor The Now Now has no unifying concept or narrative. It's ambition seemingly no more grandiose than simply being a collection of very good Gorillaz songs.
If anything marks The Now Now out amongst Gorillaz discography, it's the lack of guests. It ties with 2010's The Fall for least amount of cameos, with only three non-toons appearing.
Guitar supremo George Benson lends his breezy, jazzy licks to the happy summer funk of opener Humility, while rappers Jamie Principle and Snoop Dogg spit on the future G-funk beat of Hollywood, one of the highlights despite the obviousness of its message. Snoop's slippery, relaxed flow hasn't sounded this good in years.
The driving bass, head nodding beat, and chorus explosion of Tranz reminds that Albarn has supreme pop chops readily available whenever he wants them. Swap the synths for guitars and you'd have a Blur banger, right up there with Song 2 or Girls and Boys.
Whether the song's amped up or bummed out, Albarn adopts a yawning, weary delivery. It's the only thing that sounds tired. Gorillaz brand of slightly skewered, electro-pop remains, as always, inventive and compelling listening.
The cartoon band's musical world and vibe are so fully realised it's instantly identifiable, whether floating on languid downer Fire Flies or cruising with the good times on the synthwave groove of instrumental Lake Zurich.
While it won't change - or end - the world, The Now Now doesn't disappoint, with Albarn proving he's equally adept at starting the party as he is at ending it.
