20 Best Songs by Gorillaz

Gorillaz songs can turn from a spare beat and a murmured melody into a full dance track in a few moments. These 20 picks bring together the virtual band’s familiar singles, quieter album tracks and collaborations with voices from hip-hop, soul and pop.

Try “Feel Good Inc.” for the bass groove, “On Melancholy Hill” for a gentle melody or “Empire Ants” for a song that changes character as it unfolds.

1. “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz featuring De La Soul

The bass line in “Feel Good Inc.” gives the song a restless, circular motion. De La Soul’s laughing entrance and forceful rap passages interrupt Damon Albarn’s weary vocal, while the acoustic chorus briefly opens a gentler space.

Those changes in mood are what keep the track interesting after its hook becomes familiar. It is a strong starting point for the band’s mix of pop melody, hip-hop and unease.

2. “DARE” by Gorillaz

“DARE” is built around a springy electronic groove, with Shaun Ryder’s rough-edged interjections set against a light sung refrain. Small keyboard figures and clipped vocal phrases keep the rhythm busy.

The pleasure is in how little the song needs to change to keep moving. Its repeating parts fall into place like dancers finding the same beat.

3. “On Melancholy Hill” by Gorillaz

A soft synthesizer melody gives “On Melancholy Hill” its immediately recognizable shape. Albarn sings with an easy tenderness, letting the tune carry a mixture of affection and uncertainty.

The steady rhythm makes the track feel reassuring even when the words leave the destination unclear. It is one of the gentlest ways into the world of Plastic Beach.

4. “Empire Ants” by Gorillaz featuring Little Dragon

“Empire Ants” begins quietly, with a delicate guitar part and an almost weightless vocal. Halfway through, the arrangement changes into a fuller electronic groove and Little Dragon’s Yukimi Nagano takes the lead.

The second half feels brighter because the opening has been so restrained. Let the whole recording unfold; the transition is a large part of its appeal.

5. “Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz

The unhurried beat and spare keyboard line in “Clint Eastwood” leave plenty of room for Del the Funky Homosapien’s rap. Albarn’s drawling chorus provides a contrasting voice that sounds half awake and quietly hopeful.

The track gets its character from that loose, patient pace. Each return to the refrain feels familiar without smoothing away the oddness of the surrounding sounds.

6. “Rhinestone Eyes” by Gorillaz

“Rhinestone Eyes” pairs a sharply repeating keyboard figure with a vocal that moves in short, measured phrases. The beat is firm, but the layered electronic sounds make the space around it feel unsettled.

As the chorus fills out, the song becomes surprisingly expansive. The official audio keeps attention on the rhythm and the gradual changes in the arrangement.

7. “19-2000” by Gorillaz

Little vocal fragments and a bouncy bass part give “19-2000” a cheerful, handmade feel. Miho Hatori’s high refrain cuts through Albarn’s relaxed delivery, making the voices sound like different personalities sharing the same small room.

This is the original recording, whose loose swing differs from the faster Soulchild remix. The playful details reward listening beyond the main hook.

8. “Humility” by Gorillaz featuring George Benson

George Benson’s guitar adds a smooth, sunny edge to “Humility.” The rhythm stays light as Albarn sings about loneliness and the desire to reconnect.

The song has an easy surface, but the vocal keeps a slight ache underneath it. Its compact arrangement makes each guitar response and change in the melody easy to hear.

9. “Andromeda” by Gorillaz featuring DRAM

“Andromeda” rides a steady dance pulse with warm keyboard chords and a rounded bass sound. Albarn’s vocal sits softly within that groove, allowing the repeated phrases to gather feeling.

There is space between the parts, even as the beat keeps pulling forward. DRAM’s contribution becomes another color in the arrangement rather than a sharp interruption.

10. “Aries” by Gorillaz featuring Peter Hook and Georgia

Peter Hook’s high, melodic bass is a defining sound in “Aries.” It runs through the track almost like a second vocal, answering Albarn’s long, slightly distant phrases.

The electronic percussion and bright keyboards keep the song in motion. Together, the parts create a sense of travel without rushing the melody.

11. “El Mañana” by Gorillaz

“El Mañana” moves slowly through soft guitar, a subdued beat and a vocal that seems to hang in the air. Albarn leaves room around the lines, giving the song a feeling of distance and longing.

Its appeal is in the restraint. The small instrumental details become more noticeable as the refrain returns, deepening the mood without a sudden change in pace.

12. “Stylo” by Gorillaz featuring Mos Def and Bobby Womack

A firm electronic bass pulse gives “Stylo” a sleek, night-driving rhythm. Mos Def’s low delivery and Albarn’s cool melodic phrases establish the setting before Bobby Womack’s voice rises above it.

Womack brings an urgency that changes the scale of the track. The combination of a tightly controlled groove and a much freer vocal makes this collaboration especially absorbing.

13. “Tranz” by Gorillaz

“Tranz” uses a repeating synthesizer pattern and a direct beat to build a slightly disorienting dance song. Albarn’s vocal grows more insistent as the arrangement gathers around him.

The track remains compact, with changes in texture doing much of the work. Its bright electronic sound has a restless edge that separates it from the softer songs on The Now Now.

14. “Tomorrow Comes Today” by Gorillaz

A slow, dusty beat gives “Tomorrow Comes Today” the feel of a city moving past at a distance. The melodica line drifts through the spaces around Albarn’s low, subdued singing.

The track asks for little more than attention to its atmosphere. Its restrained rhythm and worn-sounding textures make a useful contrast with the band’s larger pop choruses.

15. “Désolé” by Gorillaz featuring Fatoumata Diawara

Fatoumata Diawara’s clear, expressive voice gives “Désolé” a warmth that keeps expanding through the song. A gently rolling rhythm supports the exchange between her singing and Albarn’s quieter phrases.

The melodies overlap naturally, with the instrumental parts leaving room for both voices. It is a rewarding choice for listeners drawn to the band’s more spacious collaborations.

16. “New Gold” by Gorillaz featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown

“New Gold” puts Tame Impala’s airy vocal sound against Bootie Brown’s crisp rap delivery. The bass and electronic percussion keep a firm dance rhythm beneath both performers.

The changes of voice give the track its momentum. Its glossy surface has enough rhythmic detail to stay interesting between the big melodic passages.

17. “Silent Running” by Gorillaz featuring Adeleye Omotayo

“Silent Running” starts with a measured electronic pulse and gradually opens into a broad, searching chorus. Albarn’s vocal has a yearning quality, with Adeleye Omotayo adding depth to the sung arrangement.

The song holds its pace even as the voices become fuller. That steady foundation gives the chorus room to feel expansive without overwhelming the smaller keyboard details.

18. “The Lost Chord” by Gorillaz featuring Leee John

Leee John’s smooth, expressive singing helps “The Lost Chord” move from a restrained opening toward a richer soul arrangement. The rhythm stays supple, with small keyboard and guitar figures around the voices.

The gradual build is worth following. Each new layer feels connected to the groove already in place, so the larger finish arrives naturally.

19. “Doncamatic” by Gorillaz featuring Daley

Daley’s clear, high vocal gives “Doncamatic” a buoyant pop character. A bouncy electronic bass part and a firm beat support a melody that moves easily between short phrases and a more open refrain.

The singer brings a bright focus to the band’s slightly off-center arrangement. It is an inviting choice for listeners who enjoy the direct dance-pop side of Gorillaz.

20. “Souk Eye” by Gorillaz

“Souk Eye” begins with an intimate guitar figure, then lets electronic rhythms and layered sounds gather around it. Albarn’s vocal stays tender and slightly blurred at the edges.

The arrangement becomes more animated without losing that quiet center. It is a thoughtful closing choice for the way Gorillaz can make an electronic song feel personal.

Featured Image Credits (Top): Matija Puzar, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Featured Image Credits (Bottom): Drew de F Fawkes, CC BY 2.0.