Listen to Gorillaz’ sprawling new single ‘The Manifesto’: “This is a musical meditation infused with light”

Gorillaz have shared their new single ‘The Manifesto’ featuring Argentine rapper Trueno and late D12 member Proof – check it out below.

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The sprawling track follows the Damon Albarn-led animated band’s previous single ‘The Happy Dictator‘ featuring Sparks.

According to a press release the song carries the album’s “themes of the cycle of life and the afterlife” through Trueno who deftly trolls his maker with the declaration: “I don’t know what tomorrow holds / When I heed the light that’s calling me / Baby, my future is demanding me / I walk toward the light / I have nothing to lose.”

Later, former Gorillaz collaborator Proof declares: “You aren’t ready for death / Until I showed up, hold breath / Until you blow the on one set,” during a moment of freestyling, captured minutes before he entered the booth during an early recording session.

The song also features sarod players Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, “brothers who are seventh generation musicians of the Gwalior musical lineage” along with Jea Band Jaipur on brass who have been “serving Indian weddings since 1936”, as well as Ajay Prasanna on bansuri and The Mountain Choir led by Vijayaa Shanker.

“As space dust we are here forever and that’s a mighty long time. This is a musical meditation infused with light. A journey of the soul, with beats,” said Gorillaz’s cartoon drummer Russel Hobbs of the track.

The single will feature on the animated band’s forthcoming album ‘The Mountain’, which is due out on March 20, 2026. It will mark the first release on the band’s own new label KONG, and you can pre-order it here.

It includes collaborations with Black Thought, Omar Souleyman, Asha Puthli, Asha Bhosle, Gruff Rhys, Kara Jackson, Yasiin Bey, Paul Simonon, IDLES‘ Joe Talbot, Johnny Marr, and Anoushka Shankar.

The London Arab Orchestra, Demon Strings, Chris Storr, James Copus and Matthew Gunner also serve as featured musicians, while deceased acts like Dennis Hopper, Bobby Womack, De La Soul‘s Dave Jolicoeur, Tony Allen and the late Mark E Smith of The Fall are billed as Voices from Elsewhere.

Gorillaz recently debuted their upcoming ninth LP during the final of four gigs at London’s Copper Box Arena last month.

Alongside the album, the band also announced a UK and Ireland tour, set to kick off in March 2026. You can find a full list of dates here, and further ticket information here.

Albarn recently performed at the Together For Palestine show in London and as part of Gorillaz, he joined Yasiin Bey – FKA Mos Def – and Syrian singer Omar Souleyman for a lively performance of brand new song ‘Damascus’, which also features on ‘The Mountain’.

Meanwhile, Gorillaz are also set to headline Primavera Sound Barcelona between June 4-6, alongside The Cure, Gorillaz, The xx, Doja Cat and Massive Attack. You can purchase any remaining tickets here.

The post Listen to Gorillaz’ sprawling new single ‘The Manifesto’: “This is a musical meditation infused with light” appeared first on NME.