Editing Gorillaz (section)

===''Song Machine'' project and ''Meanwhile EP'' (2020–2021)===

On 29 January 2020, the band announced its new project ''[[Song Machine]]''. Eschewing the typical album format of releasing music, Song Machine is instead a web series that sees the band releasing one new song a month as "episodes" to the series, with 11 episodes releasing to comprise the first "season".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Helman|first=Peter|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2071709/gorillaz-song-machine-season-one-tease/news/|title=Gorillaz Are Teasing Something Called 'Song Machine'|date=28 January 2020|website=[[Stereogum]]|access-date=29 January 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128234922/https://www.stereogum.com/2071709/gorillaz-song-machine-season-one-tease/news/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-new-music-video-series-song-machine-details-944519/|title=Gorillaz Detail New Music, Video Series 'Song Machine'|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=29 January 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US|access-date=30 January 2020|archive-date=17 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217032213/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-new-music-video-series-song-machine-details-944519/|url-status=live}}</ref> Elaborating on the idea behind ''Song Machine'' in a radio interview shortly after the announcement of the project, Albarn explained that "We no longer kind of see ourselves as constrained to making albums. We can now make episodes and seasons."<ref>{{cite AV media|date=31 January 2020|title=Gorillaz Interview 2020 – BBC Radio 1|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KESXPd6wsBg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/KESXPd6wsBg| archive-date=11 December 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=30 June 2020|publisher=[[BBC]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Each episode features previously unannounced guest musicians on new Gorillaz material, with the first being "[[Momentary Bliss]]", which was released on 31 January and features both British rapper [[Slowthai]] and the [[Kent]]-based punk rock duo [[Soft Play|Slaves]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nastylittleman.com/artists/gorillaz/|title=GORILLAZ {{!}} Nasty Little Man|website=Nasty Little Man|access-date=29 January 2020|archive-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129181644/https://www.nastylittleman.com/artists/gorillaz/|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon the premiere of "Momentary Bliss", Albarn revealed that the group had been in the studio with [[Schoolboy Q]] and [[Sampa the Great]] among others, although he did say that these songs were likely to be saved for future episodes of ''Song Machine''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000drwj|title=Radio 1's Future Sounds with Annie Mac – Gorillaz, slowthai and Slaves – BBC Sounds|date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131091345/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000drwj|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=31 January 2020}}</ref> The group also teased a possible collaboration with Australian band [[Tame Impala]] on [[Instagram]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Richards|first=Will|date=1 February 2020|title=Gorillaz tease Tame Impala collaboration as 'Song Machine' project continues|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-tease-tame-impala-collaboration-as-song-machine-project-continues-2603985|access-date=14 June 2020|website=[[NME]]|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201190026/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-tease-tame-impala-collaboration-as-song-machine-project-continues-2603985|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 February, the band released the second episode of ''Song Machine'' entitled "[[Désolé (Gorillaz song)|Désolé]]". The song features Malian singer [[Fatoumata Diawara]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Blistein|first=Jon|title=Gorillaz Team With Malian Star Fatoumata Diawara for New Song 'Désolé'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-fatoumata-diawara-new-song-desole-song-machine-958067/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=27 February 2020|date=27 February 2020|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227171824/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-fatoumata-diawara-new-song-desole-song-machine-958067/|url-status=live}}</ref> The third episode, "[[Aries (song)|Aries]]", released on 9 April and featured [[Peter Hook]] and [[Georgia (musician)|Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-peter-hook-new-song-aries-980372/|title=Gorillaz Recruit Peter Hook for New Order-Inspired 'Aries'|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=9 April 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=10 April 2020|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410050630/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-peter-hook-new-song-aries-980372/|url-status=live}}</ref> The fourth track "[[How Far?]]" featuring [[Tony Allen (musician)|Tony Allen]] and [[Skepta]] was released 2 May. This song was released without an accompanying music video as a tribute to Allen, who died on 30 April.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=2 May 2020|title=Gorillaz Share New Song "How Far?" With Tony Allen and Skepta: Listen|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/gorillaz-share-new-song-how-far-with-tony-allen-and-skepta-listen/|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=2 May 2020|archive-date=2 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502180549/https://pitchfork.com/news/gorillaz-share-new-song-how-far-with-tony-allen-and-skepta-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 May, Gorillaz announced the release of a new book titled ''Gorillaz Almanac''. The book comes in three editions: standard, deluxe and super deluxe, all of which were set to release on 23 October but has since been delayed to 22 December{{Update inline|date=December 2020}} with a physical release of season one of ''Song Machine'' included with each copy.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=26 May 2020|title=Gorillaz Celebrate 20-Year Visual History With Expansive 'Almanac' Book|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-almanac-1004653/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922095704/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-almanac-1004653/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 June, the band released "[[Friday 13th (song)|Friday 13th]]", the fourth episode of ''Song Machine''. The track features French-British rapper [[Octavian (rapper)|Octavian]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Blistein|first=Jon|title=Gorillaz Team Up With Octavian for Woozy New Track 'Friday 13th'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-octavian-new-song-video-friday-13th-song-machine-1011792/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=9 June 2020|date=9 June 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609173538/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-octavian-new-song-video-friday-13th-song-machine-1011792/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 20 July, the band released "[[Pac-Man (Gorillaz song)|Pac-Man]]", the fifth episode of ''Song Machine'', in honour of [[Pac-Man]]'s 40th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 July 2020|title=GORILLAZ: SONG MACHINE SEASON 1 EPISODE 5 'PAC-MAN' FT SCHOOLBOY Q|url=https://www.nastylittleman.com/2020/07/20/gorillaz-song-machine-season-1-episode-5-pac-man-ft-schoolboy-q/|website=Nasty Little Man|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-date=22 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722072050/https://www.nastylittleman.com/2020/07/20/gorillaz-song-machine-season-1-episode-5-pac-man-ft-schoolboy-q/|url-status=live}}</ref> The track features American rapper [[Schoolboy Q]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Gorillaz, Schoolboy Q Honor Arcade Classic Pac-Man on New Song|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-schoolboy-q-honor-arcade-classic-pac-man-on-new-song-1030712/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=20 July 2020|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803122349/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gorillaz-schoolboy-q-honor-arcade-classic-pac-man-on-new-song-1030712/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 September, the band released "[[Strange Timez]]", the sixth episode of ''Song Machine''. The track features [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]], from [[the Cure]]. Gorillaz also announced the title and tracklist for ''[[Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez]]'', released on 23 October 2020, featuring further guest appearances from [[Elton John]], [[6lack]], [[JPEGMafia]], [[Kano (rapper)|Kano]], Roxani Arias, [[Moonchild Sanelly]] and [[Chai (band)|Chai]], among others.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Skinner|first=Tom|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-song-machine-season-one-strange-timez-album-tracklist-robert-smith-2749027|title=Gorillaz team up with Robert Smith on 'Strange Timez' and share star-studded 'Song Machine' tracklist|website=[[NME]]|date=9 September 2020|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021030159/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-song-machine-season-one-strange-timez-album-tracklist-robert-smith-2749027|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 October, the band released "[[The Pink Phantom]]", the seventh episode of ''Song Machine''. The track features Elton John and American R&B recording artist 6lack.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=1 October 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9458395/elton-john-gorillaz-the-pink-phantom-6lack|title=Elton John Tickles the Ivories and Steals Our Hearts With Gorillaz Collab 'The Pink Phantom'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008175206/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9458395/elton-john-gorillaz-the-pink-phantom-6lack|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the release of ''Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez'', Gorillaz started a radio show on [[Apple Music]] called ''Song Machine Radio'' where each virtual character has a turn to invite special guests and play some of their favourite tunes. A few days ahead of the release of ''Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez'', Albarn revealed that he had written a song for the project's second season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Del Real |first=Andrés |date=18 October 2020 |title=Damon Albarn: "Nuestra mayor crisis existencial es nuestra relación con internet" |url=https://www.latercera.com/culto/2020/10/18/damon-albarn-nuestra-mayor-crisis-existencial-es-nuestra-relacion-con-internet/ |access-date=23 October 2020 |website=[[La Tercera]] |language=es |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031022016/https://www.latercera.com/culto/2020/10/18/damon-albarn-nuestra-mayor-crisis-existencial-es-nuestra-relacion-con-internet/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 5 November, the band released "[[The Valley of the Pagans]]", the eighth episode of ''Song Machine''. The track features American singer [[Beck]]. The music video is somewhat notorious for being the first major studio production filmed in ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]''. The video ends with a reference to previous album, ''Plastic Beach''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 November 2020|title=Gorillaz – The Valley of the Pagans ft. Beck (Episode Eight) – YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez4Lwt5-ZM0&feature=youtu.be| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104173948/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez4Lwt5-ZM0&feature=youtu.be| archive-date=4 November 2020 | url-status=dead|access-date=7 November 2020|via=YouTube}}</ref> For unknown reasons, the music video on the official Gorillaz YouTube channel was set to private just a few days after its initial premiere. On 9 March 2021, Gorillaz uploaded an alternative version of the music video to their official YouTube channel, which does not feature any gameplay from ''Grand Theft Auto V''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 March 2021|title=Gorillaz – The Valley of the Pagans ft. Beck (Episode Eight) – YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNGA90mUJds| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/aNGA90mUJds| archive-date=11 December 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=9 March 2021|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 24 December, the band released "The Lost Chord", the ninth and final episode of the first season of ''Song Machine''. The track features British musician [[Leee John]].

On 26 March 2021, the band celebrated its debut album's 20th anniversary with oncoming reissues of their catalog and teases of [[non-fungible token]]s;<ref>{{Cite web|last=Murray|first=Eoin|date=26 March 2021|title=Gorillaz Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Debut Album with Reissue and NFT Teases|url=https://djmag.com/news/gorillaz-celebrate-20th-anniversary-debut-album-reissue-and-nft-teasers|access-date=29 March 2021|website=[[DJ Mag]]|archive-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330054537/https://djmag.com/news/gorillaz-celebrate-20th-anniversary-debut-album-reissue-and-nft-teasers|url-status=live}}</ref> due to its impact on climate change, the latter was met with criticism by various sources and fans—some noting that the act contradicts the environmental themes of ''Plastic Beach''. No non-fungible tokens have since released.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Daly|first=Rhian|date=27 March 2021|title=Fans criticize Gorillaz for selling NFT after impact on climate change revealed|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/fans-criticise-gorillaz-selling-nft-impact-climate-change-revealed-2909226?amp|access-date=29 March 2021|website=[[NME]]|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505014753/https://www.nme.com/news/music/fans-criticise-gorillaz-selling-nft-impact-climate-change-revealed-2909226?amp|url-status=live}}</ref> The band also announced a boxset, the ''G Collection,'' containing six of their studio albums—excluding ''The Fall''—for [[Record Store Day]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Middleton|first=Ryan|date=7 April 2021|title=Record Store Day Unveils 2021 Exclusives & Drops: MF Doom, Gorillaz, Tangerine Dream|url=https://www.magneticmag.com/2021/04/record-store-day-unveils-2021-exclusives-drops-mf-doom-gorillaz-tangerine-dream/|access-date=18 May 2021|website=[[Magnet (magazine)|Magnet]]|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519020319/https://www.magneticmag.com/2021/04/record-store-day-unveils-2021-exclusives-drops-mf-doom-gorillaz-tangerine-dream/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 August 2021, Gorillaz debuted three new songs, "Meanwhile" (featuring British rapper Jelani Blackman), "Jimmy Jimmy" (featuring British rapper [[AJ Tracey]]), and "Déjà Vu" (featuring Jamaican-British singer Alicaì Harley), during a free concert at [[The O2 Arena|The O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] in London, England exclusively for [[National Health Service]] employees and their families. They then performed them again at the subsequent concert open to the public the next day (both of which served as the first live audience concerts of the [[Song Machine Tour]]).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Guttridge-Hewitt|first=Martin|date=11 August 2021|title=Gorillaz debut three new songs at free concert for NHS workers|url=https://djmag.com/news/gorillaz-debut-three-new-songs-free-concert-nhs-workers|access-date=25 August 2021|website=[[DJ Mag]]|archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825234731/https://djmag.com/news/gorillaz-debut-three-new-songs-free-concert-nhs-workers|url-status=live}}</ref> These three songs were announced to be tracks from a new EP entitled ''[[Meanwhile EP|Meanwhile]]'', with the cover originally published on [[TikTok]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gorillaz {{!}} ♬ Jimmy Jimmy (feat. AJ Tracey) {{!}} on TikTok|url=https://www.tiktok.com/music/Jimmy-Jimmy-feat-AJ-Tracey-6997843045823580162?_r=1|access-date=24 August 2021|website=[[TikTok]]|archive-date=24 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824171326/https://www.tiktok.com/music/Jimmy-Jimmy-feat-AJ-Tracey-6997843045823580162?_r=1|url-status=live}}</ref>