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10.0
133024
10.0 |
Gigwise
Cracker Island proves that Gorillaz can make a commercial record while not losing the creativity that has always been a part of the project
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9.0
132994
9.0 |
PopMatters
Gorillaz’s Cracker Island includes Stevie Nicks and reggaeton star Bad Bunny on an unrestrained set of dystopian songs with Damon Albarn’s melodic gift
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8.1
133072
8.1 |
Northern Transmissions
Another good outing from the king of imagination and his friends
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8.0
133058
8.0 |
The Observer
A thoughtful eighth album blends Damon Albarn’s state-of-the-world concerns with the talents of collaborators from Stevie Nicks to Thundercat
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8.0
133046
8.0 |
Clash
‘Possession Island’ aside, this is an energetic, upbeat, genre-expansive collection that ranks alongside Gorillaz’ best work
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8.0
132998
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
It’s the easiest-going and most purely pleasurable Gorillaz album since their opening one-two punch, 20-some years ago. Guests feel purposeful, filtered into the indie-funk melange with ease
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8.0
133002
8.0 |
DIY
One of Gorillaz’s most restrained, contemplative releases yet
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8.0
133012
8.0 |
The Irish Times
A unique magical musical cosmos
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8.0
133014
8.0 |
The Independent
There’s a loose-limbed elation to the indie-funk groove of their eighth record – helped along by Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala and Thundercat
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8.0
133015
8.0 |
The Guardian
Damon Albarn has reined in the excess – though there are still cameos from the likes of Bad Bunny and Stevie Nicks – for a trim album that is one of the band’s best
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8.0
133016
8.0 |
Evening Standard
Marvellous melodies and more star guests make this offering sing
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8.0
133019
8.0 |
Dork
Gorillaz are now over twenty years in the game, but ‘Cracker Island’ proves their capacity for reinvention and genius has not waned over the years, nor does it look likely to
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8.0
133027
8.0 |
NME
The band's first post-pandemic record eschews industry-busting rollouts or a concept-heavy narrative, instead showing their influence on pop's present and future
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8.0
132971
8.0 |
Record Collector
End-times prophecies have always been a part of Gorillaz’s world view, but here Damon Albarn’s lyrics allude to personal burnout. There’s something poignant about hearing Stevie Nicks’ weathered voice twin itself to Albarn’s while singing about reaching a place “when you can’t help yourself anymore and the madness come”
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8.0
132972
8.0 |
Uncut
The 2D band make ageless pop that shapeshifts to suit the era, be it the sunny reggaeton of "Tormenta" (featuring Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny) or the dreamy AOR of "Oil" (featuring Stevie Nicks). Print edition only
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8.0
132973
8.0 |
Mojo
The likes of Beck and Stevie Nicks play supportive rather than starring roles, and the sonic flavours here recall the noir clubby pop of Humanz (2017). The woofer-pumping reggaeton of Tormenta however sees Albarn step aside to let Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny shine. Print edition only
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7.0
132991
7.0 |
musicOMH
Another lovely album from Damon Albarn features a characteristically wide range of sympathetic collaborators, from Thundercat and Beck to Stevie Nicks and Bad Bunny
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7.0
133065
7.0 |
Exclaim
It's a sleek, streamlined album that makes a case for the band's enduring relevance as genre-mashing trailblazers, even besting Blur as Albarn's ultimate contribution to the pop pantheon
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6.6
133029
6.6 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
A perfectly good album made for an active audience larger and more diverse than most artistz could ever dream of having
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6.5
133040
6.5 |
Pitchfork
Stevie Nicks, Thundercat, Tame Impala, and Bad Bunny guest on the latest album from Damon Albarn’s cartoon band, but despite the marquee names, the record feels frustratingly like Gorillaz as usual
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6.0
133125
6.0 |
Under The Radar
Gorillaz was once a creative outlet that allowed Albarn to explore new territories. But Cracker Island suggests that the concept has grown stale
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6.0
133034
6.0 |
The Skinny
It may not reach the dizzying heights of previous records, but Cracker Island proves that the Gorillaz formula still slaps
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5.0
133036
5.0 |
Slant Magazine
The album repeatedly stalls before it ever has a chance to really take off
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5.0
132974
5.0 |
Loud And Quiet
We are far from the complexity and panache of Demon Days. But, perhaps, a collection of bangers for blasting in the car with the windows down is all you need sometimes
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5.0
133105
5.0 |
Spectrum Culture
It feels like Albarn is trying to emulate the sounds of modern pop music, completely oblivious to the fact that his strengths lie in exploding the expected, and sticking its pieces back together in totally unexpected ways
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4.5
133113
4.5 |
Beats Per Minute
Cracker Island’s forgettable, milquetoast assembly line of tracks – though crisply and professionally engineered – proves that having it all shouldn’t always mean using it all
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4.0
133057
4.0 |
The FT
Damon Albarn’s cartoon band release their eighth album but it lacks exuberance
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