It might seem strange that Elton John, the legendary piano-pop master who recently condemned the modern practice of songwriting by committee, appears on the new song by Gorillaz, an operation that cycles through a stunning number of collaborators. But considering Damon Albarn seems to be the only permanent musical contributor to Gorillaz, maybe ...

Last year, the British rapper slowthai released his debut album Nothing Great About Britain, and he became a star pretty much right away. The album was acclaimed, and earned him a nomination for a Mercury Prize. This year, slowthai has been popping up just about everywhere -- with Gorillaz, trying to get himself cancelled at…

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's long-running and eclectic recording project Gorillaz started this year by teasing a project called Song Machine. Rather than a new album, this turned out to be a series of singles -- I mean, "episodes" -- featuring the usual array of high-profile collaborators. So far this year they've shared tracks featuring&...

Back in January, which now feels like some lost ancient era, Gorillaz began teasing a project called Song Machine. A whole lot has happened since then, but Damon Alban's virtual band has kept putting out music with all the reliability and persistence that a project called Song Machine would suggest. First there was "Momentary Bliss"

It turns out that at least one benefit of being a virtual band helmed by a producer who also happens to have his own studio is that you are rather pandemic-proof. As such: Gorillaz' Song Machine project continues unabated, still spitting out new songs as they're completed. In the last couple months, we've heard "Momentary…