Gorillaz release new single ‘Damascus’ featuring Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey

Gorillaz have unveiled their vibrant new single ‘Damascus’, featuring guest appearances from Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def).

The song arrives as the latest preview of the group’s forthcoming album ‘The Mountain’, due for release on February 27.

Co-written by Damon Albarn, Syrian Bedouin-music icon Omar Souleyman and African-American rapper-vocalist Yasiin Bey, the track opens with a palette of gentle, atmospheric textures before rising steadily into a soaring finale shaped by trip-hop sensibilities, Arabic-leaning hip hop and rap influences.

‘Damascus’ received its first live outing during a surprise preview show of ‘The Mountain’ at London’s Copper Box Arena in September, before sparking euphoric reactions at Madrid’s Gaia Festival and at Together For Palestine at Wembley Arena; the latter featuring Albarn and the Gorillaz live band joined on stage by The London Arab Orchestra.

‘The Mountain’ marks the band’s ninth studio album, offering a wide-ranging sonic landscape built from a rich tapestry of instruments, textures, voices, hooks and rhythm-driven layers. Spanning 15 tracks, the record captures the core spirit of Gorillaz’s collaborative ethos, bringing together a remarkable line-up of contributors including Ajay Prasanna, Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash, Anoushka Shankar, Asha Bhosle, Asha Puthli, Bizarrap, Black Thought, Gruff Rhys, IDLES, Jalen Ngonda, Johnny Marr, Kara Jackson, Omar Souleyman, Paul Simonon, Sparks, Trueno and Yasiin Bey.

Listen to ‘Damascus’ below.