Gorillaz Embark on Middle Eastern Odyssey with New Single 'Damascus'
In their latest foray into uncharted territory, Gorillaz have released "Damascus", a mesmerizing new single that whisks listeners away to the ancient city of Damascus. This atmospheric intro sets the tone for a thrilling musical journey, which sees the band's iconic blend of hip-hop, electronic, and rock elements taking on a distinctly Middle Eastern flavor.
At the helm of this sonic adventure is Damon Albarn, whose animated alter ego has long been synonymous with boundary-pushing collaborations. And "Damascus" is no exception, featuring an explosive guest appearance by Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), who brings his signature lyrical dexterity to the table, alongside Syrian singer Omar Souleyman.
Souleyman's distinctive voice is a highlight of the track, as he weaves in and out of verses with devotionally charged lyrics dedicated to a loved one. The juxtaposition of his emotive delivery against Bey's sharp, witty lines adds a compelling layer of depth to the song, which careens from introspective moments to frenetic bursts of energy.
"Damascus" marks the fourth single to be released from Gorillaz' forthcoming album, "The Mountain", a collection of tracks that will feature an impressive array of guest artists. The list includes high-profile names like Sparks, Idles, Trueno and Proof, as well as rising talent such as DJ Bizarrap, Kara Jackson, and Anoushka Shankar.
But the line-up doesn't stop there. Other features include iconic musicians like Roots' Black Thought, Johnny Marr, Paul Simonon, Ajay Prasanna, Amaan Ali Bangash, and several posthumous contributions from Gorillaz' past collaborators, including Bobby Womack, Mark E. Smith, Tony Allen, and Dennis Hopper.
The album itself is set to drop on February 27, 2026, with Gorillaz kicking off the promotional campaign with a pair of Los Angeles shows in early February, followed by a UK and European tour that will take them through until August.
In their latest foray into uncharted territory, Gorillaz have released "Damascus", a mesmerizing new single that whisks listeners away to the ancient city of Damascus. This atmospheric intro sets the tone for a thrilling musical journey, which sees the band's iconic blend of hip-hop, electronic, and rock elements taking on a distinctly Middle Eastern flavor.
At the helm of this sonic adventure is Damon Albarn, whose animated alter ego has long been synonymous with boundary-pushing collaborations. And "Damascus" is no exception, featuring an explosive guest appearance by Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), who brings his signature lyrical dexterity to the table, alongside Syrian singer Omar Souleyman.
Souleyman's distinctive voice is a highlight of the track, as he weaves in and out of verses with devotionally charged lyrics dedicated to a loved one. The juxtaposition of his emotive delivery against Bey's sharp, witty lines adds a compelling layer of depth to the song, which careens from introspective moments to frenetic bursts of energy.
"Damascus" marks the fourth single to be released from Gorillaz' forthcoming album, "The Mountain", a collection of tracks that will feature an impressive array of guest artists. The list includes high-profile names like Sparks, Idles, Trueno and Proof, as well as rising talent such as DJ Bizarrap, Kara Jackson, and Anoushka Shankar.
But the line-up doesn't stop there. Other features include iconic musicians like Roots' Black Thought, Johnny Marr, Paul Simonon, Ajay Prasanna, Amaan Ali Bangash, and several posthumous contributions from Gorillaz' past collaborators, including Bobby Womack, Mark E. Smith, Tony Allen, and Dennis Hopper.
The album itself is set to drop on February 27, 2026, with Gorillaz kicking off the promotional campaign with a pair of Los Angeles shows in early February, followed by a UK and European tour that will take them through until August.
. The way they blend their signature sound with Omar Souleyman's unique voice is really catchy. I think it's awesome that they're collaborating with artists from different backgrounds to create something new and exciting. Yasiin Bey's verse adds a nice layer of depth to the song, but for me, the real star of the show is Souleyman's emotive delivery. The use of Arabic instrumentation in the track also gives it a distinctive flavor that sets it apart from their usual sound. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more from "The Mountain" album when it drops 
I love how Gorillaz are always pushing boundaries and collaborating with different artists from around the world. The addition of Yasiin Bey and Omar Souleyman is a game changer, their vocals blend together so well. I'm also curious about the album, all these guest features must create an interesting dynamic. Can't wait to dive into it when it drops! 
and omar souleyman's vocals are insane 
Damon albarn's always been a master of blending styles, but this one takes the cake 
the energy on that track is infectious, can't wait to see them live in february 
. And that guest verse from Yasiin Bey? 
The contrast between his sharp lyrics and Omar Souleyman's emotive delivery is everything I'm feeling right now 
i mean who wouldn't want to hear damascus & see what the mountain has in store? 
and can we talk about that collab with yasiin bey & omar souleyman? 
but seriously, i'm loving the eclectic mix of artists they've got lined up for this album... dj bizarrap is gonna be a game changer 
gotta see how it all comes together when it drops in feb 2026 
This new single 'Damascus' is straight fire 
- their chemistry is magic 
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! It's like they're collecting the best talent from around the world 
. And can we talk about Omar Souleyman's vocals? 
He's got such an emotive, heart-wrenching delivery that'll give you chills 
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... can't wait to dive into the album and see what other sonic adventures Gorillaz have in store for us