Albums- 14 Singles- 136 Songs - Gorillaz Discography -2000-2010- 6
While Gorillaz continued past 2010 with excellent records like Humanz and The Now Now, the first decade remains a self-contained miracle of creativity. It was a time when the internet was becoming the primary way we consumed culture, and Gorillaz was the first band to truly master the digital landscape.
6 albums. 14 singles. 136 songs. It wasn’t just a discography; it was the soundtrack to a digital revolution.
What is your favorite track from the first decade of Gorillaz? Let us know in the comments below!
The turn of the millennium marked a seismic shift in the music industry, defined by the birth of the world’s most successful virtual band: Gorillaz. Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, the project blended post-modern visual art with an unrestricted sonic palette. Between 2000 and 2010, the band’s output was remarkably prolific, encompassing six distinct album releases—including studio masterpieces, B-side collections, and remixes—alongside 14 influential singles and a massive catalog of 136 songs. This decade defined the Gorillaz mythos and established them as pioneers of the genre-blind "playlist" era.
The journey began in earnest with the 2000 EP Tomorrow Comes Today, but it was the 2001 self-titled debut, Gorillaz, that shattered expectations. Propelled by the haunting, dub-influenced single Clint Eastwood, the album introduced the world to the four fictional members: 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs. This era was characterized by a raw fusion of hip-hop, rock, and punk. To satisfy the growing cult following, the band followed up with G-Sides (2001) and the dub-heavy remix album Laika Come Home (2002), expanding their song count and proving that the virtual project was a deep, multi-layered musical experiment rather than a gimmick.
The pinnacle of this decade arrived in 2005 with Demon Days. Produced by Danger Mouse, the album was a dark, sophisticated exploration of a world in crisis. It produced some of the most recognizable singles of the 2000s, including the upbeat funk of Feel Good Inc. and the disco-tinged DARE. Demon Days didn't just increase the song tally; it elevated the band’s prestige, featuring high-profile collaborations with legends like De La Soul, MF DOOM, and Ike Turner. This was supplemented by D-Sides in 2007, a sprawling collection of demos and B-sides that showcased the sheer volume of Albarn’s creative output during the mid-2000s. While Gorillaz continued past 2010 with excellent records
As the decade drew to a close, Gorillaz pivoted toward the bright, synth-heavy textures of Plastic Beach (2010). This concept album centered on an island made of trash, featuring a dizzying array of guests from Lou Reed to Snoop Dogg. Singles like Stylo and On Melancholy Hill showed a mastery of electronic pop, while the album's deep cuts leaned into orchestral and world music influences. Shortly after, the band released The Fall, an album famously recorded on an iPad during their North American tour. While more minimalist, it rounded out a decade of relentless innovation.
By the end of 2010, the Gorillaz discography stood as a monument to digital-age creativity. With 136 songs recorded in just ten years, the project proved that a "cartoon band" could tackle complex themes of environmentalism, isolation, and politics more effectively than many of their flesh-and-blood peers. The 14 singles released during this window remain staples of alternative radio, serving as the entry points into a vast, eclectic world that redefined what it meant to be a band in the 21st century.
Release date: May 23, 2005
Phase: 2 – “Slowboat to Hades”
The sophomore album was a darker, more orchestral, and politically charged landmark. Produced by Danger Mouse, Demon Days featured a vast array of collaborators (De La Soul, MF DOOM, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown, Shaun Ryder, Martina Topley-Bird, and the London Community Gospel Choir).
Tracklist (15 songs):
Deluxe edition bonus: The DVD featured a 5.1 mix and music videos. What is your favorite track from the first
2000–2002 (Phase 1):
Gorillaz introduced as cartoon “band.” Success via Clint Eastwood’s loop-based minimalism. Kong Studios (virtual HQ) established. Theme: zombie funk meets Brit-pop melancholy.
2005–2006 (Phase 2 – Demon Days):
Darker, orchestral, apocalyptic. Feel Good Inc. becomes MTV anthem. Guest-heavy, politically charged (Iraq War undertones). Theme: panic, dread, collective breakdown.
2010 (Phase 3 – Plastic Beach):
Massive budget, orchestral, maritime environmental concept. Gorillaz as floating island of trash. Features Bobby Womack, Lou Reed, Snoop. Theme: Paradise lost to plastic & greed.
Late 2010 – The Fall:
Spontaneous, lo-fi, recorded on tour bus. Reveals 2D as narrator (not Murdoch). Theme: loneliness in motion.
When you look at the raw numbers, the output is staggering. Six albums in ten years is prolific for any artist, but for a project involving animation, voice acting, and a rotating cast of collaborators, it is a monumental achievement. Release date: May 23, 2005 Phase: 2 –
Here is how those numbers translate into a legacy:
1. The Studio Albums (3) The core of the discography rests on a perfect trilogy:
2. The B-Sides and Compilations (3) The "6 albums" count isn't just studio LPs; it highlights the depth of the G-Sides, D-Sides, and the collection The Singles Collection 2001-2011. This is where the "136 songs" figure truly takes shape. Gorillaz didn't just write hits; they wrote sprawling, experimental instrumentals and hidden gems that filled the gaps between the radio play.
3. The 14 Singles From the ominous opening chords of "Clint Eastwood" to the hypnotic synths of "Stylo," these 14 singles defined the sound of the 2000s. They bridged the gap between hip-hop, electronic, Britpop, and world music. Tracks like "19-2000" became the soundtrack to video games and commercials, while "El Mañana" broke hearts with its animated tragedy.
| Year | Single | Album | Notable feature | |------|--------|-------|----------------| | 2000 | Tomorrow Comes Today | Gorillaz | First “virtual band” video | | 2001 | Clint Eastwood | Gorillaz | Del the Funky Homosapien | | 2001 | 19-2000 | Gorillaz | Soulchild remix later iconic | | 2002 | Rock the House | Gorillaz | Del tha Funkee Homosapien | | 2002 | 911 (w/ D12 & Terry Hall) | non-album | Post-9/11 single | | 2005 | Feel Good Inc. | Demon Days | De La Soul | | 2005 | DARE | Demon Days | Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays) | | 2005 | Dirty Harry | Demon Days | Bootie Brown | | 2006 | Kids with Guns / El Mañana | Demon Days | Double A-side | | 2006 | Stylo | Plastic Beach | Bobby Womack, Mos Def | | 2010 | Superfast Jellyfish | Plastic Beach | Gruff Rhys, De La Soul | | 2010 | On Melancholy Hill | Plastic Beach | — | | 2010 | Rhinestone Eyes | Plastic Beach | (Promo single) | | 2010 | Doncamatic (w/ Daley) | non-album | Synthpop single before The Fall |
→ This totals 14 unique single releases (excluding radio promos).