Gorillaz – Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack) (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)

January 28, 2010 by Dennis Amith 

Gorillaz latest single from their upcoming album “Plastic Beach” combines MC Mos Def with ’60s legendary singer/songwriter Bobby Womack in a song that feels like late ’80s electronica with rhythmic beats.

GROUP: Gorillaz

DIGITAL SINGLE: Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack)

LABEL: Virgin

DURATION: 4:30

RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2010

Back in 1998, Damon Albarn of the band Blur and Jamie Hewlett (co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl) were disenchanted by the rubbish they saw on MTV that they came up with the idea of creating a virtual band known as Gorillaz.  The virtual band featured the characters 2D (vocals, keyboard), Murdoc (bass), Noodle (guitar) and Russel (drums).

The idea of having a virtual band and guest artist to release music has been going on quite awhile,  as the concept was common in Japan but in the world, the most successful was Gorillaz who sold over seven million copies of their 2001 album “Gorillaz” and also earned a Guiness Book of World Records for most successful virtual band.

For the next decade, Gorillaz would release two albums, one compilation album and ten CD Singles.  Their latest “Stylo” is from their upcoming album “Plastic Beach” slated for release in March 2010.

“Stylo” features MC/actor Mos Def and ’60s legend, singer/songwriter Bobby Womack (The Valentinos) featuring prominent synth and rhythmic beats, the track has more in common with Pet Shop Boys and Electronic, late ’80s electronica musically but Womack’s vocals gives the track another added dimension.

Overall, a decent single from the Gorillaz but for those who still yearn for the “Clint Eastwood” style of tracks, “Stylo” is not one of them but nevertheless, gives us a taste of what is to come in “Plastic Beach”.