Gorillaz are back, and following the rush-release of single Stylo to combat online piracy, the album Plastic Beach arrives with a fantastically varied selection of tunes and a huge line-up of guest stars.

Damon Albarn has achieved so much in music outside of Blur that to tag him as a Britpop survivor seems unfair. As with his previous work, Plastic Beach combines world music influences with a knowing pop sensibility.

As ever, co-collaborator Jamie Hewlett is along for the ride to provide the visuals. And he’s not the only one.

Let’s just take a quick run-down of those guest stars: (deep breath) Sinfonia VIVA, Snoop Dogg, Bashy, Kano, Mos Def, The National Orchestra for Arabic Music, Bobby Womack, Gryff Rhys, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Mark E Smith, Lou Reed, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon. That enough for you?

On such a varied album it’s difficult to pull out particular highlights, but stand out tracks have to include On Melancholy Hill with it’s devilishly catchy melody, and title track Plastic Beach featuring cameos from Jones and Simonon of The Clash. Take a trip to Plastic Beach on Spotify, and enjoy your stay.

Listen on Spotify
Download/CD at Amazon