What band released the album 'The Mountain' in February 2026?

The virtual band Gorillaz released their ninth studio album, 'The Mountain', in February 2026. The album officially dropped on February 27, 2026, after its initial release date of March 20, 2026, was moved forward. This highly anticipated record followed their 2023 album 'Cracker Island' and marked another significant chapter for the innovative group known for its animated members 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs.

'The Mountain' is an expansive project, drawing heavily from Indian classical instrumentation alongside the band's signature pop and electronic influences. The album delves into profound themes of death, grief, and the afterlife, a poignant reflection inspired by the personal losses of Gorillaz co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, who both lost their fathers during the album's production. The record also boasts a diverse array of collaborators, including Anoushka Shankar, Johnny Marr, and IDLES, among many others, and even features posthumous appearances from artists like Dennis Hopper and Tony Allen, further emphasizing its thematic depth.

The album was first unveiled to the public with a live premiere on September 3, 2025, as a closing event for the band's 25th-anniversary exhibition, "House of Kong," in London. This unique approach to introducing new music, coupled with its multi-lingual performances in English, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, Yoruba, and Russian, showcases Gorillaz's continued commitment to pushing creative boundaries and delivering a rich, immersive experience for their global audience.