{{Short description|2017 studio album by Gorillaz}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox album | name = Humanz | type = studio | artist = Gorillaz | cover = HumanzGorillaz.png | alt = Photorealistic versions of the members of Gorillaz arranged in the same style as Demon Days, but in a different order (clockwise from top left: 2-D, Noodle, Murdoc, Russel) | caption = Standard digital edition cover | released = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|04|28}} | recorded = September 2015 – December 2016<ref name="Sound on Sound">{{cite web|last1=Tingen|first1=Paul|author-link1=Paul Tingen|title=Inside Track: Gorillaz 'Charger'|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-gorillaz-charger|website=Sound on Sound|access-date=8 December 2017|date=July 2017|archive-date=12 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212031701/https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-gorillaz-charger|url-status=live}}</ref> | studio = Studio 13 (London){{efn|All tracks}}<br /> Mission Sound (Brooklyn){{efn|Tracks 2–5, 7, 17, 19}}<br />JM Jarre (Paris){{efn|Tracks 5, 20}} <br /> Geejam (Port Antonio){{efn|Tracks 4, 16}} <br /> {{collapsible list|title=Various additional|{{ubl|Feng Shui (Hollywood){{efn|Track 2}}|Upstairs (Atlanta){{efn|Track 5}}|Chicago Recording (Chicago){{efn|Track 14}}|Thomas Crown (Virginia Beach){{efn|Track 14}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imgur.com/a/WwMYH |title=Gorillaz – HUMANZ (2LP Vinyl) – Album on Imgur |website=Imgur.com |date=22 April 2017 |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807044444/https://imgur.com/a/WwMYH |url-status=live }}</ref>}} }} | genre = * Art pop<ref name=DT>{{cite web|url=https://thedailytexan.com/2017/05/02/gorillaz-fail-to-deliver-on-hype-with-newest-lp/|work=Daily Texan|title=Gorillaz fail to deliver on hype with newest LP|first=Chris|last=Duncan|date=2017|access-date=9 May 2022|archive-date=15 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815154542/https://thedailytexan.com/2017/05/02/gorillaz-fail-to-deliver-on-hype-with-newest-lp/|url-status=live}}</ref> * R&B<ref name="AllMusic" /> * hip hop<ref name="AllMusic" /> * dance<ref name="stereo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1934792/premature-evaluation-gorillaz-humanz/reviews/premature-evaluation|title=Premature Evaluation: Gorillaz Humanz|website=Stereogum|last=Trewn|first=Pranav|date=21 April 2017|access-date=17 November 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111214539/https://www.stereogum.com/1934792/premature-evaluation-gorillaz-humanz/reviews/premature-evaluation/|url-status=live}}</ref> * electro<ref name=DT /> * funk<ref>{{cite web|title=Gorillaz + The Internet|work=Time Out|date=2018|url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/music/gorillaz-the-internet|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929004333/https://www.timeout.com/chicago/music/gorillaz-the-internet|url-status=live}}</ref> | length = 49:23 | language = {{flatlist| * English * Arabic * Spanish * Bambara}} | label = {{hlist|Parlophone|Warner Bros.}} | producer = * Gorillaz * The Twilite Tone * Remi Kabaka Jr. | chronology = Gorillaz | prev_title = The Singles Collection 2001–2011 | prev_year = 2011 | next_title = The Now Now | next_year = 2018 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = Damon Albarn | type = studio | prev_title = The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians | prev_year = 2016 | title = Humanz | year = 2017 | next_title = The Now Now | next_year = 2018 }} {{Singles | name = Humanz | type = studio | single1 = Saturnz Barz | single1date = 23 March 2017 | single2 = We Got the Power | single2date = 23 March 2017 | single3 = Ascension | single3date = 23 March 2017 | single4 = Andromeda | single4date = 23 March 2017 | single5 = Let Me Out | single5date = 6 April 2017 | single6 = Strobelite | single6date = 4 August 2017 }} }} '''''Humanz''''' is the fifth studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz, released on 28 April 2017 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Warner Bros. Records in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/61678-gorillaz-announce-new-album-humanz-featuring-grace-jones-danny-brown-mavis-staples-more/|title=Gorillaz Announce New Album Humanz Featuring Grace Jones, Danny Brown, Mavis Staples, More|last1=Phillips|first1=Amy|last2=Monroe|first2=Jazz|website=Pitchfork|date=23 March 2017|access-date=23 March 2017|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227142939/https://pitchfork.com/news/61678-gorillaz-announce-new-album-humanz-featuring-grace-jones-danny-brown-mavis-staples-more/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.spin.com/2017/03/gorillaz-new-album-humanz-announced/|title=Gorillaz Announce New Album ''Humanz'' Featuring Danny Brown, Pusha T, Grace Jones, More|last=Josephs|first=Brian|date=23 March 2017|access-date=23 March 2017|magazine=Spin|archive-date=23 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323232322/http://www.spin.com/2017/03/gorillaz-new-album-humanz-announced/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the band's first studio album released in seven years, following a multiyear hiatus.
Following media reports of a fall out between Gorillaz co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz entered a multiyear hiatus after the release of the 2012 non-album single "DoYaThing". During this time, Albarn released a solo record, ''Everyday Robots'' (2014), and recorded and toured with his band Blur, while Hewlett worked on film projects. Albarn and Hewlett reconciled and decided to return to Gorillaz in late 2014, with Albarn beginning to write songs for the album while still on the ''Everyday Robots'' tour. Recording officially began in late 2015 and continued throughout 2016, taking place across various locations worldwide, including London, Paris, New York City and Jamaica. The album was produced by The Twilite Tone and Remi Kabaka Jr., with Kabaka Jr. making his first contribution as a permanent producer for the band.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/72365-gorillaz-reveal-new-album-humanz-details-cover-art-massive-tracklist/|title=Gorillaz Reveal New Album Humanz Details, Cover Art, Massive Tracklist – Pitchfork|work=pitchfork.com|date=23 March 2017|access-date=23 March 2017}}</ref>
The album features political themes, taking inspiration from the 2016 United States presidential election. Albarn has described the album as the soundtrack to "a party for the end of the world," envisioning a "dark fantasy" in which Republican candidate Donald Trump won the election, which was still considered a remote possibility at the time of recording. Musically, the album embraces an electronic "modern-sounding urban hip-hop/R&B sensibility", and features an expansive roster of guest artists, including Jehnny Beth, Grace Jones, Kali Uchis, Vince Staples, Popcaan, D.R.A.M., Anthony Hamilton, De La Soul, Danny Brown, Kelela, Mavis Staples, Pusha T, and Benjamin Clementine. Several songs from the album were released as singles, most notably lead single "Saturnz Barz" and "Strobelite". A "Super Deluxe" edition of the album was later released in November 2017, featuring an additional 14 tracks.
''Humanz'' debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and the US ''Billboard'' 200, and reached the top 10 in 23 countries.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-third-week-billboard-200/|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' No. 1 for Third Week on Billboard 200, Gorillaz Bow at No. 2|magazine=Billboard|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=18 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118045446/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-third-week-billboard-200/|url-status=live}}</ref> The album received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its energetic tone and political themes, though some criticized the abundance of guest artists, feeling it resulted in a bloated track list and a reduced presence from Albarn. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=60th Grammy Nominees|url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/60th-annual-grammy-awards-2017|website=Grammy.com|date=22 May 2018|access-date=18 September 2020|archive-date=28 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128172753/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/60th-annual-grammy-awards|url-status=live}}</ref> It was supported by the Humanz Tour from 2017 to 2018, the band's longest tour to date at the time, during which Albarn began recording the band's follow up studio album ''The Now Now'' (2018).
==Background== After the release of their 2010 album ''The Fall'', rumours began to circulate on the internet that Gorillaz creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett had fallen out, and that this had led to the band split; ''People'' subsequently reported this to be true.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2011/02/report-gorillaz-have-split/|title=Report: Gorillaz have split|last=Young|first=Alex|magazine=Consequence of Sound|date=6 February 2011|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508192132/https://consequence.net/2011/02/report-gorillaz-have-split/|url-status=live}}</ref> Representatives for the band denied the rumours in a statement to ''Pitchfork''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/41479-gorillaz-have-not-broken-up/|title=Gorillaz Have Not Broken Up|last1=Breihan|first1=Tom|last2=Phillips|first2=Amy|website=Pitchfork|date=9 February 2011|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325024655/http://pitchfork.com/news/41479-gorillaz-have-not-broken-up/|url-status=live}}</ref> Gorillaz released a single with James Murphy and André 3000 commissioned by Converse, titled "DoYaThing", on 23 February 2012. In April 2012, in an interview with ''The Guardian'', Albarn stated that Gorillaz were "unlikely" to release new music, citing Hewlett's dissatisfaction that his animation had become less central to the band and their performances.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/07/damon-albarn-gorillaz-heroin-blur|title=Damon Albarn: Gorillaz, heroin and the last days of Blur|last=Harris|first=John|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 April 2012|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=31 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031122252/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/07/damon-albarn-gorillaz-heroin-blur|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2013, Hewlett said that he "believe[s] there is a future for the Gorillaz. But Gorillaz is quite a complicated and expensive thing to produce. So, I think we need to wait a little bit to see what happens because usually in the music industry everything changes."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2013/06/jamie-hewlett-addresses-future-of-gorillaz-confirms-new-blur-album/|title=Jamie Hewlett addresses future of Gorillaz, confirms new Blur album|last=Young|first=Alex|magazine=Consequence of Sound|date=23 June 2013|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502002613/https://consequence.net/2013/06/jamie-hewlett-addresses-future-of-gorillaz-confirms-new-blur-album/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 25 April 2014, Albarn released the solo album ''Everyday Robots''. Hewlett revealed that he and Albarn decided to revive Gorillaz after Albarn had played a gig, stating: "...we were at a party afterwards. We'd had a bit to drink, and he said, 'Do you want to do another one?' And I said, 'Do you?' and he said, 'Do you?' And I said, 'Yeah, sure.' I started work on it straight away, learning to draw the characters again. I played around by myself for eight months while he was performing with Blur in 2015."<ref name="vulture.com">{{cite web |first=Lane |last=Brown |url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/04/damon-albarn-and-noel-gallagher-on-gorillazs-we-got-the-power.html |title=Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher on Their Gorillaz Team-Up |website=Vulture.com |date=25 April 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619090300/https://www.vulture.com/2017/04/damon-albarn-and-noel-gallagher-on-gorillazs-we-got-the-power.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2014, Albarn was said to be "in the process of reactivating Gorillaz for a 2016 release."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/damon-albarn-turns-into-a-solo-man-with-everyday-robots-20141015-116can|title=Damon Albarn turns into a solo man with Everyday Robots|last=Drever|first=Andrew|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 October 2014|access-date=24 March 2017}}</ref> In an Instagram post on 30 January 2015, Hewlett posted new drawings of fictional band members Murdoc and Noodle. He also responded to a fan's query by stating, "Yes Gorillaz Returns."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-11-1214012|title=Gorillaz creator Jamie Hewllet: 'Yes Gorillaz Returns'|last=Van Nguyen|first=Dean|magazine=NME|date=31 January 2015|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325031020/http://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-11-1214012|url-status=live}}</ref> Albarn's band Blur released their eighth studio album ''The Magic Whip'' on 27 April 2015. Before Blur's tour in support of ''The Magic Whip'', Albarn said, "I'm starting recording in September for a new Gorillaz record."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-16/new-gorillaz-album-in-the-works-says-damon-albarn/6624160|title=Gorillaz to start work on first new album in five years, says frontman Damon Albarn|last=Duffy|first=Conor|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|work=7.30|date=16 July 2015|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410011650/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-16/new-gorillaz-album-in-the-works-says-damon-albarn/6624160|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 January 2017, Gorillaz released the first track from the album, "Hallelujah Money" featuring Benjamin Clementine, accompanied by a music video as a non-commercial single on Uproxx's YouTube channel.
<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-gorillaz-first-song-in-six-years-hallelujah-money-w461834|title=Hear Gorillaz' First Song in Six Years, 'Hallelujah Money'|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=14 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214144844/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-gorillaz-first-song-in-six-years-hallelujah-money-w461834|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/music/gorillaz-hallelujah-money-video/2/|title=Gorillaz Return After Six Years With Political, Apocalyptic New Video|date=19 January 2017|access-date=23 March 2017|archive-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131194755/http://uproxx.com/music/gorillaz-hallelujah-money-video/2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/gorillaz-return-their-first-new-song-6-years-halle-248692|title=Gorillaz return with their first new song in 6 years, "Hallelujah Money"|date=19 January 2017|access-date=23 March 2017|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301074404/http://www.avclub.com/article/gorillaz-return-their-first-new-song-6-years-halle-248692|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Recording== Prior to studio recording, Albarn made use of iPad applications such as GarageBand to create the framework for each song. Albarn had previously utilised his iPad as an audio workstation for ''The Fall'', touting its convenience over the 4-Track recorder he'd previously used for preliminary music production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/TelekomGorillaz|title=In conversation with Gorillaz|last=Telekom Electronic Beats|date=9 April 2017|access-date=9 April 2017|website=Archive.org}}</ref>
To guide collaborators into the "dark fantasy" setting that Albarn envisioned for ''Humanz'', Albarn instructed guest artists to imagine a future in which Donald Trump had won the 2016 United States presidential election. As recording for ''Humanz'' began well before Trump had secured the Republican presidential nomination, much less the presidency, the possibility of a Trump presidency was still considered remote by many; collaborator Pusha T (who recorded his contribution in early 2016) later commented on Albarn's inadvertent foresight, saying: "I wrote from the perspective of this day, I was writing from the perspective of a Trump win. When this really happened, I was like 'Wait a minute, what type of crystal ball did this guy have? Why are you even asking me to think along these lines?' I don't think he thought that [Trump] would win, I'm not gonna go that far, but he definitely conceptualized this whole thing."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cook-Wilson |first1=Winston |title=Pusha T: Damon Albarn Said The New Gorillaz Album Is "A Party For The End Of The World If Trump Wins" |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/04/pusha-t-gorillaz-damon-albarn-trump-interview/ |access-date=18 October 2022 |work=Spin |publisher=Next Management Partners |date=6 April 2017 }}</ref> In April 2016, Hewlett uploaded two video clips onto his Instagram showing the continued work on the album. The first clip featured Liam Bailey and the Twilite Tone. The second clip was a time-lapse video featuring Albarn, Remi Kabaka Jr, the Twilite Tone and Jean-Michel Jarre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thebanginbeats.com/2016/04/14/virtual-band-gorillaz-teases-their-upcoming-album-with-glimpses-inside-the-studio/ |title=Virtual Band Gorillaz Teases Their Upcoming Album with Glimpses Inside The Studio |first=Surbhi |last=Mittal |date=14 April 2016 |work=thebanginbeats.com |access-date=19 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625081736/http://thebanginbeats.com/2016/04/14/virtual-band-gorillaz-teases-their-upcoming-album-with-glimpses-inside-the-studio/ |archive-date=25 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/gorillaz-phase-4-first-footage-of-jamie-hewlett-and-damon-albarn-in-studio-emerges-online-a6980866.html|title=First footage of Damon Albarn working on new Gorillaz album emerges online|date=12 April 2016|work=independent.co.uk|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7326580/gorillaz-jamie-hewlett-studio-videos-new-album-sessions-albarn|title=Gorillaz's Jamie Hewlett Posts In-Studio Videos of New Album Sessions|work=billboard.com|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218082251/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7326580/gorillaz-jamie-hewlett-studio-videos-new-album-sessions-albarn|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 May 2016, Gorillaz were in the studio with Chicago-based hip hop artist Vic Mensa, although Bailey and Mensa's contributions were ultimately left off of the finished album.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brennan|first1=Collin|title=Gorillaz hit the studio with Chicago rapper Vic Mensa|url=https://consequence.net/2016/05/gorillaz-hit-the-studio-with-chicago-rapper-vic-mensa/|website=Consequenceofsound.net|date=18 May 2016|publisher=Consequence of Sound|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/gorillaz/93634|title=Vic Mensa pictured in the studio with Gorillaz|website=NME.com|publisher=NME|last1=Renshaw|first1=David|date=18 May 2016|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-date=2 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902155027/http://www.nme.com/news/gorillaz/93634|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Mitchell|first1=Chris|title=Vic Mensa spotted in studio with Gorillaz|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.38856/title.vic-mensa-spotted-in-studio-with-gorillaz|website=HipHopDX.com|date=18 May 2016|publisher=Hip-Hop DX|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunt|first1=El|title=It was Mensa be: Gorillaz are working with Vic Mensa on their new album|url=http://diymag.com/2016/05/18/gorillaz-recording-with-vic-mensa|website=DIYMag.com|date=18 May 2016 |publisher=DIY Magazine|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Grace Jones at Carriageworks (Vivid) - 1st June 2015 08.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Jamaican singer and supermodel Grace Jones, one of the many collaborators on the album, features on the song "Charger". The song was a result of hours of ad-libbing over an instrumental.<ref name="stereogum.com" />]]
In an interview with ''Q'' magazine, Albarn revealed that he reached out to collaborate with a number of different artists, many of whom turned him down, including English musician Morrissey, Dionne Warwick – who was unwilling to collaborate as some lyrics on the record conflicted with her religious views, singer Sade, and American rapper Rick Ross.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0EjxBXsGSM|title=Gorillaz – Hot 97 Interview – 2017|last=Damon Albarn Unofficial|date=28 April 2017|access-date=29 June 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1934261/morrissey-sade-dionne-warwick-turned-down-features-on-new-gorillaz-album/news/ |title=Morrissey, Sade, Dionne Warwick Turned Down Features On New Gorillaz Album |publisher=Stereogum |date=10 April 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/72780-gorillaz-morrissey-and-sade-turned-them-down-tv-series-in-the-works-more/ |title=Gorillaz: Morrissey and Sade Turned Them Down, TV Series in the Works, More |website=Pitchfork |date=10 April 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=28 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428123423/http://pitchfork.com/news/72780-gorillaz-morrissey-and-sade-turned-them-down-tv-series-in-the-works-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Albarn also revealed in an interview with Song Exploder, that the song "Andromeda", featured a more prominent role for rapper D.R.A.M and at one point, featured contributions from Rag'n'Bone Man (which was ultimately discarded) and with French singer-songwriter Christine and the Queens, which was also unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/72789-damon-albarn-and-dram-dissect-gorillaz-andromeda-on-song-exploder-listen/|title=Damon Albarn Dissects Gorillaz's "Andromeda" on "Song Exploder": Listen|date=11 April 2017|website=Pitchfork|access-date=26 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427193722/http://pitchfork.com/news/72789-damon-albarn-and-dram-dissect-gorillaz-andromeda-on-song-exploder-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/hrishihirway/song-exploder-gorillaz-feat-dram|title=Song Exploder: Gorillaz (feat. D.R.A.M.)|date=11 April 2017|last=Hirway|first=Hrishikesh|publisher=Song Exploder|access-date=26 April 2017|via=Soundcloud|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427051553/https://soundcloud.com/hrishihirway/song-exploder-gorillaz-feat-dram|url-status=live}}</ref> The group also reportedly recorded with Erykah Badu, whom Albarn had previously worked with on his ''Rocket Juice & the Moon'' project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/04/26/gorillaz-humanz-damon-albarn-interview/|title=Gorillaz Almost Broke Up in 2012 — Here's Why They Didn't|date=26 April 2017|website=ew.com|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> The song "Charger" with Grace Jones was a result of Jones singing over the song's instrumental for four hours, ad-libbing and vibing to it. Overwhelmed by the length of the vocals recorded, Albarn had his studio floor covered in cut up pieces of paper with everything Jones had recorded, finding the fragments that worked and eventually crafting the song from there. A photo of this was also uploaded to Kabaka's Instagram, with the album's other executive producer the Twilite Tone, attempting to place the lyrics in an order for the song. Albarn also revealed that an unnamed collaborator's original vocals were removed from the song, so as to accommodate Jones' vocals.<ref name="stereogum.com" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gorillaznorthamerica.tumblr.com/post/153217521538/twilite-tone-in-studio-13-gorillaz-via-remi |title=Gorillaz North America â€" Twilite Tone in studio 13 – Gorillaz (Via Remi) |website=Gorillaznorthamerica.tumblr.com |date=15 November 2016 |access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite magazine |last=Fricke |first=David |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/damon-albarn-talks-gorillazs-new-lp-humanz-blurs-future-w477652 |title=Damon Albarn Talks Gorillaz's New LP 'Humanz,' Blur's Future |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427113010/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/damon-albarn-talks-gorillazs-new-lp-humanz-blurs-future-w477652 |url-status=live }}</ref> Album recording engineer Stephen Sedgwick's final mix session of "Charger" contains 90 separate tracks.<ref name="soundonsound.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-gorillaz-charger#top|title=Inside Track: Gorillaz 'Charger' -|website=www.soundonsound.com|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=12 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212031701/https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-gorillaz-charger#top|url-status=live}}</ref>
"We Got the Power" features guest vocals from Jehnny Beth, the lead singer of the British rock band Savages, as well as backing vocals from American rapper D.R.A.M and English singer Noel Gallagher. Albarn welcomed the arrival of Beth as the album was meant to be "a series of conversations between men and women". He hailed her performance, saying: "She sounds like herself, but there are also strong echoes of Siouxsie Sioux. She's brilliant."<ref name="vulture.com" /> The song is a particular landmark for Albarn and Gallagher, after their public dislike of each other during what was dubbed by the media as "The Battle of Britpop" in the 1990s. At one point, the song featured backing vocals from Albarn's Blur bandmate Graham Coxon, however his vocals were removed from the final version of the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/03/former-rivals-damon-albarn-and-noel-gallagher-record-together-for-first-time-on-gorillazs-weve-got-the-power-listen/|title=Former rivals Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher record together for first time on Gorillaz's "We've Got the Power" — listen|date=23 March 2017|website=consequence.net|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421051821/https://consequence.net/2017/03/former-rivals-damon-albarn-and-noel-gallagher-record-together-for-first-time-on-gorillazs-weve-got-the-power-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/grahamcoxon/status/846672666337665026|title=graham coxon on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-date=18 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418053951/https://twitter.com/grahamcoxon/status/846672666337665026|url-status=live}}</ref> "At one point this song had Graham, Noel and me on it and it was sort of heading slightly in the wrong direction. It was becoming almost retro in its sort of spirit and way too rocky for this record so I kind of stripped it right back down again. We play it slightly different live than how it is on the record. It's sort of the song that comes on during the final titles of a film. The climax. I thought Jehnny would take a bit of the testosterone off", Albarn said in an interview with Radio X. He also spoke of working with Gallagher for the first time, which Albarn was very complimentary: "He's fantastic in the studio. It's nice when you see how someone goes about their business. He's great". The song itself started after Albarn was given a Casio MT-40 for his birthday and he began composing the barebones of a demo, which was later fleshed out to become "We Got the Power". The idea to include Jehnny Beth came about after XL Recordings founder Richard Russell said that Gallagher and Albarn "were two rich middle-aged men singing about having the power, which is not a good look". Beth wrote her own lyrics to be included on the song as well as the lyrics that Albarn and Gallagher had also written.<ref name="vulture.com" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/music/damon-albarn-noel-gallagher-gorillaz-we-got-the-power-2026536|title=Damon Albarn talks working with Noel Gallagher on new Gorillaz track 'We Got The Power' – NME|date=23 March 2017|website=Nme.com|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2017/03/23/damon-albarn-and-noel-gallagher-bury-the-hatchet-on-gorillaz-track-we-got-the-power/|title=Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher team up on Gorillaz track 'We Got The Power'|date=23 March 2017|website=Factmag.com|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2017/03/gorillaz-premiere-four-songs-from-their-new-album-humanz-listen/|title=Gorillaz premiere Four songs from their new album Humanz, plus 360 video — watch|date=23 March 2017|magazine=Consequence of Sound|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Noel Gallagher at Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain-5March2012 (3).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Noel Gallagher performing live in 2012. Gallagher's appearance on the song "We Got The Power" was an important feat for him and Albarn, as Albarn's previous project Blur and Gallagher's Oasis had participated on a conflict dubbed by "The Battle of Britpop", where they mutually insulted and competed against each other.]]
"Andromeda", the album's fourth single, was dedicated to Ethel, the mother of Albarn's longtime partner Suzi Winstanley, who died while Albarn was writing the song. Ethel's death reminded Albarn of Bobby Womack, who had appeared on the group's single "Stylo" and "Cloud of Unknowing" from their album ''Plastic Beach'' and appeared on the song "Bobby in Phoenix" from ''The Fall''. Albarn and Russell had also produced Womack's comeback album ''The Bravest Man in the Universe'', prior to Womack's death in June 2014. The sentimentality Albarn felt for lost family and friends was instrumental in the creation of "Andromeda", with Albarn commenting on the song's message: "Take the worst possible outcome, be brave, and remember all the goodness that preceded that... all the beauty that preceded that."<ref name="SongExploder">{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/hrishihirway/song-exploder-gorillaz-feat-dram|title=Song Exploder: Gorillaz (feat. D.R.A.M.)|date=11 April 2017|website=Soundcloud.com|access-date=11 April 2017|via=Soundcloud|archive-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412061902/https://soundcloud.com/hrishihirway/song-exploder-gorillaz-feat-dram|url-status=live}}</ref> Albarn also stated that after a conversation with producer the Twilite Tone, he tried to evoke the sound of Michael Jackson's 1983 single "Billie Jean" from his iconic ''Thriller'' album and Hall & Oates' single "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)", from their album ''Private Eyes''. Twilite Tone produced the song, while Albarn took care of lyrics. The song features D.R.A.M, who originally had a more prominent feature on the song, with a full chorus and verse, however, Albarn stripped the vocals back as the song felt more complete. At one point, the song's name was "I Can't Go for Billie Jean", as a reference to the aforementioned Michael Jackson song and Hall and Oates' song.<ref name="SongExploder" />
De La Soul had previously appeared on Gorillaz previous albums ''Demon Days'' and ''Plastic Beach'' on the songs "Feel Good Inc." and "Superfast Jellyfish" respectively, and appear on the album's fifth track "Momentz". Albarn revealed that the song was initially supposed to feature American stand-up comedian and actor Dave Chappelle, however, he became convinced after chatting to De La Soul member, Posdnuos. "I didn't hear De La Soul for that. Posdnous shows up. He said, 'I want to do something.' We were trying to get Dave Chappelle to do that. But he knows Pos, and somehow, that's how that happened."<ref name="rollingstone.com" />
Albarn revealed that there would be alternate versions of songs that would be released, one included an extended version of "Andromeda" with rapper D.R.A.M. and a Middle-Eastern version of "Busted and Blue", which was discovered to feature Syrian musician Faia Younan, who had previously collaborated with Albarn on the Africa Express project ''The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and Guests'', on which she was featured on the song "Yah Mahla El Fus'ha".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ToEichofI|title=Damon Albarn on the return of Gorillaz|last=BBC Radio 1|date=24 March 2017|access-date=29 June 2017|via=YouTube|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818055120/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ToEichofI&app=desktop|url-status=live}}</ref> While alternate versions of songs also exists, there are also songs that did not make the album, which were registered online by the group, which revealed that the band had collaborated further with Sidiki Diabaté, Little Simz and Azekel (who has backing vocals on the song "Momentz").<ref>https://i.redd.it/9wp8lq8iv1w {{dead link|date=March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Gorillaz | url=https://i.redd.it/7ppxmbryu1wy.png | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107010305/https://i.redd.it/7ppxmbryu1wy.png | archive-date=2017-11-07}}</ref> These songs were eventually released as the bonus tracks of the "Super Deluxe" edition of ''Humanz'' which was released on 3 November 2017.<ref name="super_deluxe_youtube">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoAxRICB9j8|title=Gorillaz - Garage Palace (Visualiser)|last=Gorillaz|date=31 October 2017|access-date=21 March 2019|via=YouTube|archive-date=5 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305201222/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoAxRICB9j8|url-status=live}}</ref>
In an interview with ''Sound on Sound'', recording engineer Stephen Sedgwick and executive producer the Twilite Tone revealed some more of the stories behind the songs on the record. Such as the song "Strobelite", which came from an initial drum pattern made by Albarn on a SEIKO drum machine watch. While the drum pattern was being recorded, the production team were having a conversation, which ended up being recorded and was kept on the final track. The Anthony Hamilton-featuring "Carnival" originated from Albarn's experiences of visiting a carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, which inspired Hamilton in both his lyrics and vocal performance, while song and title "Sex Murder Party" came from a newspaper headline that Twilite Tone and Albarn read, which prompted the song's creation.<ref name="soundonsound.com"/>
While promoting the album ''Merrie Land'' by the Good, the Bad & the Queen, Albarn revealed that he had reached out to singer Morrissey, from the Smiths, to appear on the song "Circle of Friendz", which ended up as a bonus track on the album's deluxe edition featuring Brandon Markell Holmes, but was unable to convince him to appear on the song.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/damon-albarn-brexit-has-revealed-terrible-truths-about-the-mental-health-of-the-english-1.3704717|title=Damon Albarn: 'Brexit has revealed terrible truths about the mental health of the English'|first=Eamon|last=Sweeney|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104247/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/damon-albarn-brexit-has-revealed-terrible-truths-about-the-mental-health-of-the-english-1.3704717|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Themes== Albarn has said that with ''Humanz'' he set out to create something not overtly political, but "an emotional response to politics".<ref>{{cite interview |title=Radio X Interview with Damon Albarn|work=Radio X |location=United Kingdom |date=23 March 2017}}</ref> The album's overarching theme is the emotional aftermath of an unexpected world-changing event. Albarn removed all references to Donald Trump on the album, saying "There's no references to [Trump] on the record – in fact, any time when anyone made any reference, I edited it out. I don't want to give the most famous man on earth any more fame, particularly. He doesn't need it!"<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andrew |last=Unterberger |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7767690/damon-albarn-gorillaz-trump-reference-humanz |title=Gorillaz's New Album 'Humanz': Damon Albarn Explains Editing Out Every Trump Reference |magazine=Billboard |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427173925/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7767690/damon-albarn-gorillaz-trump-reference-humanz |url-status=live }}</ref> There is however, a bonus track called "The Apprentice", referencing his former reality show. At one point, the album was titled ''Transformerz'', although this was later abandoned, for fear of confusion with the film series of the same name.<ref name="stereogum.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.stereogum.com/featured/dancing-at-the-end-of-the-world/ |title=Gorillaz Interview: Damon Albarn On 'Humanz' In A Post-Trump World |publisher=Stereogum |date=11 April 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427193136/http://www.stereogum.com/featured/dancing-at-the-end-of-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Albarn was honoured at the Ivor Novello Awards where he picked up the lifetime achievement award for his work with Blur, Gorillaz, The Good, the Bad & the Queen, as well as his myriad of soundtracks and other work. During his acceptance speech, he spoke out about his love of the band Simple Minds and how they may be shaping the new Gorillaz record: "From someone who grew up in Leytonstone, it was a culture shock to say the least. Anyway, we were in this band and we had a guitarist who was an Edge from U2 obsessive, but we had a more kind of loose bass player who was really Simple Minds. Graham and me were a bit kind of more mercurial about what we like and what we don't like, but they were more adamant. Looking back at it now, I loved pretending that I was in U2, but I just think that Simple Minds were cooler. "Promised You a Miracle" – I listened to it when I started doing this new Gorillaz record and it just blew my mind, and it blew everyone who I was working with's mind. They hadn't even heard of Simple Minds, and they loved it – so that's testament to it being incredible."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/107052/clint-eastwood-stars-gorillaz-new-album-songs-influenced-by-somple-min |title=A huge influence on the new Gorillaz album revealed? |website=Gigwise.com |date=20 May 2016 |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=4 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504144634/http://www.gigwise.com/news/107052/clint-eastwood-stars-gorillaz-new-album-songs-influenced-by-somple-min |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kulbritania.com/en/bands/1580-damon-albarn-reveals-influence-on-new-gorillaz-record |title=Damon Albarn reveals influence on new Gorillaz record? |website=Kulbritania.com |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517073553/http://www.kulbritania.com/en/bands/1580-damon-albarn-reveals-influence-on-new-gorillaz-record |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://damonalbarn.tumblr.com/page/16 |title=Damon Albarn Unofficial |website=Damonalbarn.tumblr.com |access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
==Release and promotion== {{Main|Humanz Tour}} On 6 March 2017, Gorillaz announced they were headlining their own festival called "Demon Dayz" at Margate, England. It took place on 10 June at the Dreamland amusement park, with free access to rides, and was also broadcast live, via Red Bull TV. The tickets were put on sale in the morning of 10 March, at 9:00am, and they sold out hours later.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/68488-gorillaz-launch-their-own-festival-announce-first-show-since-2012/|title=Gorillaz Launch Festival, Announce First Show Since 2010|website=Pitchfork|date=6 March 2017|access-date=11 January 2023|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111230255/https://pitchfork.com/news/68488-gorillaz-launch-their-own-festival-announce-first-show-since-2012/|url-status=live}}</ref> The festival was revealed to feature a number of collaborators from the album and other musicians that influenced the band, such as Vince Staples, De La Soul, Fufanu, Danny Brown, Little Simz, Kali Uchis, Popcaan and Kilo Kish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/gorillaz-demon-dayz-festival-lineup|title=Gorillaz's Demon Dayz festival: The full line-up|website=Red Bull|date=10 June 2017|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122450/https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/gorillaz-demon-dayz-festival-lineup|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 23 March 2017, four new songs were premiered on various radio stations: "Saturnz Barz" and "Andromeda" on BBC Radio 1, "We Got the Power" on Radio X, and "Ascension" on Beats 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/gorillaz/status/844989049886707712|title=gorillaz on Twitter|work=twitter.com|access-date=24 March 2017}}</ref> The same day, all four songs were released for download, and a 360 Virtual Reality music video for "Saturnz Barz" was released in partnership with YouTube,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artists.youtube.com/blog?id=8ba6587ef1e4497790da331bf23cdd8e|title=Gorillaz: Reality Check|work=youtube.com|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> being the first music video featuring the Gorillaz characters since 2012's "DoYaThing".
The same day, Gorillaz redesigned their website and announced a secret live concert at Printworks Nightclub, London, on the evening of 24 March 2017, featuring the first full performance of the album, and made a livestream on their Facebook page at the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Gorillaz/videos/10155197414027996/|title=gorillaz on Facebook|work=facebook.com|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006012731/https://www.facebook.com/Gorillaz/videos/10155197414027996/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The fifth single "Let Me Out", featuring Mavis Staples and Pusha T, was released on 6 April 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/04/06/522890321/pusha-t-and-mavis-staples-join-gorillaz-for-let-me-out|title=Pusha T And Mavis Staples Join Gorillaz For 'Let Me Out'|work=npr.org|date=6 April 2017|access-date=15 April 2017|last1=Gotrich|first1=Lars|archive-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514141926/https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/04/06/522890321/pusha-t-and-mavis-staples-join-gorillaz-for-let-me-out|url-status=live}}</ref>
A Gorillaz-themed augmented reality app created in collaboration with Electronic Beats was released on 10 April 2017, in which users interact with the band members, tour the studios, and listen to playlists made by the members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/72797-gorillaz-launch-new-augmented-reality-app-announce-global-album-listening-party/|title=Gorillaz Launch New Augmented Reality App, Announce Global Album Listening Party|work=Pitchfork.com|date=11 April 2017|access-date=15 April 2017}}</ref> The next day, Gorillaz announced that the app would also be used to host the "Humanz House Party", a listening event touted as the "largest ever geo-specific listening experience". It took place on 21 April through 23, a week before the album release, and allowed fans to be the first to hear the new album in full.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gorillaz.com/humanzhouseparty/|title=Gorillaz – Humanz House Party|access-date=4 May 2017|archive-date=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501215538/http://www.gorillaz.com/humanzhouseparty/|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the same time, Jamie Hewlett revealed in an interview with ''Q'' magazine that a 10-episode Gorillaz TV show was in the works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchfork.com/news/72780-gorillaz-morrissey-and-sade-turned-them-down-tv-series-in-the-works-more |title=Gorillaz: Morrissey and Sade Turned Them Down, TV Series in the Works, More |website=Pitchfork |date=10 April 2017}}</ref>
On 17 April 2017, the Humanz Tour was formally announced on the band's official website, with concerts in Europe, Asia, North and South America. A copy of the album was included with a ticket purchase.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://alt1053.radio.com/|title=THE NEW ALT 105.3|website=THE NEW ALT 105.3|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref>
On 31 October 2017, "Garage Palace" featuring Little Simz was released as a single from the "Super Deluxe" Edition of ''Humanz'', which includes 14 additional songs and was released on 3 November 2017.<ref name="super_deluxe_youtube" />
==Reception== {{Music ratings | title = Professional ratings <!-- Aggregate scores --> | ADM = 7.4/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/8641/Gorillaz-Humanz.aspx|title=Humanz by Gorillaz reviews|website=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=1 September 2019|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901045820/http://anydecentmusic.com/review/8641/Gorillaz-Humanz.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> | MC = 77/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/humanz/gorillaz|title=Reviews and Tracks for Humanz by Gorillaz|website=Metacritic|access-date=28 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427035844/http://www.metacritic.com/music/humanz/gorillaz|url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- Reviewers, keep it limited to 10! --> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Stephen Thomas|author-link1=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Humanz – Gorillaz|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/humanz-mw0003034455|website=AllMusic|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428053307/http://www.allmusic.com/album/humanz-mw0003034455|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The A.V. Club'' | rev2Score = B<ref>{{cite web|last1=Purdom|first1=Clayton|title=Gorillaz turn our national dystopia into more manic cartoon pop on Humanz|url=https://www.avclub.com/gorillaz-turn-our-national-dystopia-into-more-manic-car-1798191157|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=12 May 2019|date=28 April 2017|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513004519/https://music.avclub.com/gorillaz-turn-our-national-dystopia-into-more-manic-car-1798191157|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Daily Telegraph'' | rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=McCormick|first1=Neil|author-link1=Neil McCormick|title=From Alt-J to The Amazons: the best albums of the year 2017|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/xx-stormzy-best-albums-year-2017/|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 May 2019|date=1 June 2017|archive-date=19 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819163140/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/xx-stormzy-best-albums-year-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Guardian'' | rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="TheGuardian">{{cite web|last1=Petridis|first1=Alexis|author-link1=Alexis Petridis|title=Gorillaz: Humanz review – a party album for a world gone mad|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/apr/27/gorillaz-humanz-review-damon-albarn|website=The Guardian|access-date=29 April 2017|date=27 April 2017|archive-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428192524/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/apr/27/gorillaz-humanz-review-damon-albarn|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev5 = ''The Independent'' | rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gill|first1=Andy|title=Album reviews: Gorillaz – Humanz, Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell Live, Feist – Pleasure, and more|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-gorillaz-humanz-sufjan-stevens-carrie-lowell-live-feist-pleasure-johnny-cash-kasai-a7703886.html|website=The Independent|access-date=12 May 2019|date=26 April 2017|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513004520/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-gorillaz-humanz-sufjan-stevens-carrie-lowell-live-feist-pleasure-johnny-cash-kasai-a7703886.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev6 = ''NME'' | rev6Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="NME">{{cite web|last1=Barleet|first1=Larry|title=Gorillaz – 'Humanz' Review|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/gorillaz-humanz-review-nme-2017-2058170|website=NME|access-date=25 April 2017|date=24 April 2017|archive-date=18 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418072525/https://www.nme.com/reviews/gorillaz-humanz-review-nme-2017-2058170|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev7Score = 6.9/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|last1=Greene|first1=Jayson|title=Gorillaz: Humanz|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23146-humanz/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=28 April 2017|date=28 April 2017|archive-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428175026/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23146-humanz/|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Q'' | rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="QMag">{{cite magazine|last=Doherty|first=Niall|title=Looney Tunes: Virtual Band's Frenzied Fifth Revels In The Chaos|magazine=Q|location=London|issue=372|date=June 2017|page=113}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev9Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="RollingStone">{{cite magazine|last1=Hermes|first1=Will|author-link1=Will Hermes|title=Review: Gorillaz' 'Humanz' Rings in the Apocalypse in Style|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-gorillaz-humanz-rings-in-the-apocalypse-in-style-w478893|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=27 April 2017|date=27 April 2017|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630042844/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-gorillaz-humanz-rings-in-the-apocalypse-in-style-w478893|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Uncut'' | rev10Score = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Bonner|first1=Michael|title=Gorillaz: Humanz|magazine=Uncut|location=London|issue=241|date=June 2017|page=30}}</ref> }}
''Humanz'' received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 77, based on 32 reviews.<ref name="metacritic" /> Common points of praise from reviewers pertain to the album's political themes, as well as its dark, yet playful "party" sound. Josh Gray of ''Clash'' felt that the band had "created their most youthful album yet; a vibrant record which paints a picture of the near future so vivid it seems convincingly real."<ref name="Clash">{{cite web|last1=Gray|first1=Josh|title=Gorillaz – Humanz I Reviews|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/gorillaz-humanz|website=Clash|access-date=25 April 2017|date=24 April 2017|archive-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310173102/http://clashmusic.com/reviews/gorillaz-humanz|url-status=live}}</ref> Kenneth Partridge from ''Paste'' gave it an 8.5 rating and wrote "The result: the most vibrant, consistently engaging Gorillaz album yet".<ref name="PasteMagazine">{{cite web|last1=Partridge|first1=Kenneth|title=Paste Review of the Day: Gorillaz – Humanz|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/04/paste-review-of-the-day-gorillaz---humanz.html|website=Paste|access-date=29 April 2017|date=28 April 2017|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093018/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/04/paste-review-of-the-day-gorillaz---humanz.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''Exclaim!'', Cam Lindsay posited that despite the album lacking any "Apple-friendly jingles", it "makes up for it with palatably overarching political themes and sequencing that gives it the wildly entertaining feel of a circus show."<ref name="Exclaim">{{cite web|last1=Lindsay|first1=Cam|title=Gorillaz Humanz|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/gorillaz-humanz|website=Exclaim!|access-date=26 April 2017|date=26 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427065346/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/gorillaz-humanz|url-status=live}}</ref> Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the album 4/5 stars (which he would later change to 3.5/5) and stated that he thought of it as more wild and unruly than the band's 2010 album, ''Plastic Beach'', due to the bigger focus on individual tracks as opposed to an overarching concept. He also noted that despite the album's very heavy R&B vibe and political undercurrent, he felt the album overall was "strangely uplifting, as if every musician who entered the studio found solace in the act of creation."<ref name="AllMusic" />
Niall Doherty of ''Q'' magazine pointed out Albarn's diminished vocal influence on the album compared to the two albums he had been involved with prior, ''Everyday Robots'' and ''The Magic Whip'', concluding the review with "What ''Humanz'' lacks in memorable hooks, it makes up for in fist-clenching spirit – and 'We Got The Power' sums that up best. A defiant anthem featuring a thrilling turn from Savages' singer Jehnny Beth, it ensures an album about wading through the dark days ends on a triumphant note."<ref name="QMag" /> Some reviewers overall felt that much of the band itself and its "cartoon image" fell to the wayside in the wake of its many collaborators. ''Consequence of Sound'' writer Nina Corcoran gave ''Humanz'' a B− grade, stating "In the end, ''Humanz'' structures itself like we’re watching Gorillaz host a party in a trendy club, all while the world burns. By positioning its four digital members just outside of the line of vision, though, it feels like an outlier in the band's catalog — which isn't necessarily a bad thing."<ref name="CoS">{{cite web|last1=Corcoran|first1=Nina|title=Album Review: Gorillaz – Humanz|url=https://consequence.net/2017/04/album-review-gorillaz-humanz/|website=Consequence of Sound|access-date=25 April 2017|date=24 April 2017|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622223404/https://consequence.net/2017/04/album-review-gorillaz-humanz/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The structure of the album has had some critics draw comparisons to Drake's ''More Life''.<ref name="TheGuardian" /><ref name="QMag" /> In terms of the album structure, critics have been more mixed. In a generally positive review, Alexis Petridis of ''The Guardian'' acknowledged the album as a "scattershot collection of tracks, rather than a coherent album."<ref name="TheGuardian" /> ''Record Collector'' thought of it both as a flaw but also its strength, stating that "the album throws it all at you in one gloriously delirious barrage that has no real anchor."<ref name="RecordCollector">{{cite web|last1=Tuscadero|first1=Inky|title=Humanz – Record Collector Magazine|url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/humanz|website=Record Collector|access-date=27 April 2017|date=27 April 2017|archive-date=29 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429000805/http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/humanz|url-status=live}}</ref> Will Hermes of ''Rolling Stone'' wrote "If it's an uneven LP, it's fairly brilliant by mixtape standards, which may be the best way to measure it."<ref name="RollingStone" />
The album earned the band the award for British group at the Brit Awards 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/22/full-list-of-winners-at-the-2018-brit-awards|title=Full list of winners at the 2018 Brit awards|journal=The Guardian|date=22 February 2018|access-date=4 June 2021|archive-date=22 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222203953/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/22/full-list-of-winners-at-the-2018-brit-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Accolades=== {|class="sortable wikitable" |- ! Publication ! Accolade ! Year ! Rank ! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | ''NME'' | ''NME''{{'}}s Albums of the Year 2017 | {{center|2017}} | {{center|18}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/list/nmes-albums-of-the-year-2017-2161481|title=NME's Albums of the Year 2017|work=NME|date=23 November 2017|access-date=28 November 2017|archive-date=30 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130012957/http://www.nme.com/list/nmes-albums-of-the-year-2017-2161481|url-status=live}}</ref>}} |- |''Q Magazine'' |Q Awards Best Album 2017 |{{center|2017}} |{{center|1}} |{{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/QMagazine/status/920697811729076224|title=Q Awards Best Album 2017|work=Q Awards|date=18 October 2017|access-date=17 December 2017}}</ref>}}
|}
==Commercial performance== In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="UKchart">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/9975/gorillaz/|title=GORILLAZ {{!}} Full Official Chart history|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=9 July 2018|archive-date=19 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719191747/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/9975/gorillaz/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the United States, ''Humanz'' debuted at number two on the US ''Billboard'' 200 behind Kendrick Lamar's ''Damn'', with 140,000 album-equivalent units, of which 115,000 were pure album sales.<ref name="BB200">{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-third-week-billboard-200/|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' No. 1 for Third Week on Billboard 200, Gorillaz Bow at No. 2|magazine=Billboard|date=8 May 2017|access-date=17 August 2017|archive-date=18 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118045446/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-third-week-billboard-200/|url-status=live}}</ref> It serves as Gorillaz's fourth top-ten album in the United States.<ref name="BB200"/>
==Track listing== Adapted from liner notes:<ref>Credits adapted from liner notes</ref>
{{Track listing | headline = ''Humanz'' {{no bold|– Standard edition}} | title1 = Intro: I Switched My Robot Off | length1 = 0:24 | title2 = Ascension | note2 = featuring Vince Staples | length2 = 2:35 | writer2 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|V. Staples}} | title3 = Strobelite | note3 = featuring Peven Everett | length3 = 4:32 | writer3 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Everett}} | title4 = Saturnz Barz | note4 = featuring Popcaan | length4 = 3:01 | writer4 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Andrae Sutherland}} | title5 = Momentz | note5 = featuring De La Soul | length5 = 3:16 | writer5 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Kelvin Mercer|David Jude Jolicoeur|Vincent Mason}} | title6 = Interlude: The Non-Conformist Oath | length6 = 0:21 | title7 = Submission | note7 = featuring Danny Brown and Kelela | length7 = 3:21 | writer7 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Daniel Sewell|Kelela Mizanekristos}} | title8 = Charger | note8 = featuring Grace Jones | length8 = 3:34 | writer8 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Jones}} | title9 = Interlude: Elevator Going Up | length9 = 0:04 | title10 = Andromeda | note10 = featuring D.R.A.M. | length10 = 3:17 | writer10 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Shelley Massenburg-Smith}} | title11 = Busted and Blue | length11 = 4:37 | writer11 = Gorillaz | title12 = Interlude: Talk Radio | length12 = 0:19 | title13 = Carnival | note13 = featuring Anthony Hamilton | length13 = 2:15 | writer13 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Hamilton}} | title14 = Let Me Out | note14 = featuring Mavis Staples and Pusha T | length14 = 2:55 | writer14 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|M. Staples|Terrence Thornton}} | title15 = Interlude: Penthouse | length15 = 0:11 | title16 = Sex Murder Party | note16 = featuring Jamie Principle and Zebra Katz | length16 = 4:19 | writer16 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Principle|Ojay Morgan}} | title17 = She's My Collar | note17 = featuring Kali Uchis | length17 = 3:29 | writer17 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Karly-Marina Loaiza}} | title18 = Interlude: The Elephant | length18 = 0:11 | title19 = Hallelujah Money | note19 = featuring Benjamin Clementine | length19 = 4:23 | writer19 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Clementine}} | title20 = We Got the Power | note20 = featuring Jehnny Beth | length20 = 2:19 | writer20 = {{hlist|Gorillaz|Beth|Noel Gallagher}}
| total_length = 49:23 }} {{Track listing | headline = ''Humanz'' {{no bold|– Deluxe tracks — Disc two}} | title21 = Interlude: New World | length21 = 1:23 | title22 = The Apprentice | note22 = featuring Rag'n'Bone Man, Zebra Katz and Ray BLK | length22 = 3:55 | title23 = Halfway to the Halfway House | note23 = featuring Peven Everett | length23 = 3:57 | title24 = Out of Body | note24 = featuring Kilo Kish, Zebra Katz and Imani Vonshà | length24 = 3:44 | title25 = Ticker Tape | note25 = featuring Carly Simon and Kali Uchis | length25 = 4:29 | title26 = Circle of Friendz | note26 = featuring Brandon Markell Holmes | length26 = 2:11 | total_length = 19:39 }} {{Track listing | headline = ''Humanz'' {{no bold|– Super deluxe vinyl tracks}} | title3 = Long Beach | length3 = 3:23 | title5 = Colombians | length5 = 3:57 | title7 = Duetz | length7 = 2:43 | title9 = Midnite Float | note9 = featuring Azekel | length9 = 3:58 | title12 = Grilling with His Face | length12 = 2:14 | title14 = Charger (Alternate Version) | note14 = featuring Pauline Black | length14 = 2:57 | title17 = Andromeda (D.R.A.M. Special) | note17 = featuring D.R.A.M. | length17 = 4:00 | title19 = Busted and Blue (Faia Younan Special) | note19 = featuring Faia Younan | length19 = 3:41 | title22 = Carnival (2D Special) | note22 = featuring Anthony Hamilton | length22 = 3:49 | title24 = Five Whales in a Dream | length24 = 2:40 | title27 = Garage Palace | note27 = featuring Little Simz | length27 = 2:31 | title29 = She's My Collar (Kali Uchis Spanish Special) | note29 = featuring Kali Uchis | length29 = 2:52 | title32 = Phoenix on the Hill | note32 = featuring Sidiki Diabaté | length32 = 3:25 | title34 = Tranzformer | length34 = 2:40 | total_length = 44:50 }}
''Bonus tracks from the super deluxe vinyl edition are interspersed between the tracks of the standard edition. Tracks from the digital deluxe edition don’t appear on the super deluxe edition.''
''All together, these tracks run up to 1:53:52.''
==Personnel== Credits adapted from the liner notes of the Super Deluxe edition of ''Humanz''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/es/Gorillaz-Humanz/release/11097493 |title=Humanz (Box Set) |website=Discogs |date=3 November 2017 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref>
<big>'''Gorillaz'''</big> {{div col}} *Damon Albarn – production, vocals, synthesizers, drums, keyboards, programming, guitar *Jamie Hewlett – artwork, design *Stephen Sedgwick – mixing, engineering *Remi Kabaka Jr. – production, drum programming, percussion {{small|(all tracks)}}, drums {{small|(track 27)}} *John Davis – mastering *Samuel Egglenton – assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 16, 18, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31, 33)}}, additional engineering {{small|(track 13)}} {{div col end}}
<big>'''Additional musicians'''</big> {{div col}} *Ben Mendelsohn – narration {{small|(tracks 1, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, "Interlude: New World")}} *Vince Staples – vocals {{small|(track 2)}} *The Humanz{{ref|a|[a]}} – choir {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 23, 31, "Halfway to the Halfway House", "Out of Body", and "Circle of Friendz")}} *Peven Everett – vocals, additional keyboards {{small|(tracks 4, "Halfway to the Halfway House")}} *Popcaan – vocals {{small|(track 6)}} *De La Soul – vocals {{small|(track 8)}} *Azekel – additional vocals {{small|(tracks 8, 9, 11)}} *Jean-Michel Jarre – synthesizers {{small|(tracks 8, 9, 33, "Halfway to the Halfway House")}} *The Twilite Tone – production, drums {{small|(tracks 9, 14, 17, 22, 24, 29)}}, synthesizers {{small|(tracks 9, 14)}}, bass {{small|(tracks 9, 17, 22, 24)}}, drum programming {{small|(track 14)}} *Kelela – vocals {{small|(track 11)}}, additional vocals {{small|(track 18)}} *Danny Brown – vocals {{small|(track 11)}} *Graham Coxon – guitars {{small|(track 11)}} *Grace Jones – vocals {{small|(track 13)}} *Pauline Black – vocals {{small|(track 14)}} *DRAM – vocals {{small|(tracks 16, 17)}}, additional vocals {{small|(track 33)}} *Roses Gabor – additional vocals {{small|(tracks 16, 17)}} *Cheick Tidiane Seck – additional synthesizers {{small|(tracks 17, "Ticker Tape")}} *Faia Younan – vocals {{small|(track 19)}} *Anthony Hamilton – vocals {{small|(tracks 21, 22)}} *Mavis Staples – vocals {{small|(track 23)}} *Pusha T – vocals {{small|(track 23)}} *Jamie Principle – vocals {{small|(track 26)}} *Zebra Katz – vocals {{small|(tracks 26, "The Apprentice", "Out of Body")}} *Little Simz – vocals {{small|(track 27)}} *Kali Uchis – vocals {{small|(tracks 28, 29, "Ticker Tape")}} *Benjamin Clementine – vocals {{small|(track 31)}} *Sidiki Diabaté – vocals and kora {{small|(track 32)}} *Jehnny Beth – vocals {{small|(track 33)}} *Noel Gallagher – additional vocals {{small|(track 33)}} *Rag'n'Bone Man – vocals {{small|(track "The Apprentice")}} *Ray BLK – vocals {{small|(track "The Apprentice")}} *Kilo Kish – vocals {{small|(track "Out of Body")}} *Imani Vonzhà – vocals {{small|(track "Out of Body")}} *Carly Simon – vocals {{small|(track "Ticker Tape")}} *Brandon Markell Holmes – additional vocals {{small|(track "Circle of Friendz")}} {{div col end}}
'''Additional technical''' {{div col}} *Fraser T. Smith – production consulting {{small|(all tracks)}}, additional production {{small|(track "The Apprentice")}} *Michael Law Thomas – additional engineering {{small|(tracks 2, "Out of Body")}} *KT Pipal – assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 28, 31, "The Apprentice", "Halfway to the Halfway House", "Out of Body", "Ticker Tape", "Circle of Friendz")}} *Casey Cuyao – assistance {{small|(track 2)}} *John Foyle – engineering {{small|(track 3)}} *Morgan Garcia – additional engineering {{small|(track 8)}} *J.U.S. – additional engineering {{small|(track 11)}} *Paul Bailey – additional engineering {{small|(track 23)}} *Alex Baez – assistance {{small|(track 23)}} *Jonathan Lackey – assistance {{small|(track 23)}} *Manon Grandjean – assistance {{small|(track "The Apprentice")}} {{div col end}}
'''Additional artwork''' *LuckyMe Studios – assistance art
'''Notes''' * <sup>{{note|a|[a]}}</sup>"The Humanz" consist of Rasul A-Salaam, Starr Busby, Melanie J-B Charles, Drea D'Nur, Giovanni James, Marcus Anthony Johnson, Janelle Kroll, Brandon Markell Holmes, and Imani Vonshà
== Singles == * On 23 March 2017, four singles were released onto Gorillaz YouTube channel and onto streaming services. * The first single, "Saturnz Barz" bubbled under the Hot 100 at 101 and peaked at 5 on the US Hot Rock Song chart. In the UK, the single peaked at 87. * "We Got The Power", the second single, peaked at 13 on the Hot Rock Songs chart and 38 on the Alternative Songs chart. * "Ascension", the third single, peaked at 11 on the Hot Rock Songs chart. In the UK, the single peaked at 91. * "Andromeda", the fourth single, peaked at 9 on the Hot Rock Songs chart. * "Let Me Out", the fifth single, was released on 6 April 2017. It bubbled under the Hot 100 at 115 and peaked at 7 on the Hot Rock Songs chart. * "The Apprentice", the sixth single, was released on 24 April 2017. It peaked at 18 on the Hot Rock Songs chart. * "Strobelite", the seventh single, was released on 7 August 2017. It peaked at 22 on the Hot Rock Songs chart. * "Garage Palace", the eighth single, and "Andromeda (D.R.A.M Special)", the ninth single, were released on 31 October 2017 and 1 December 2017, respectively. They were both released as a part of the "Super Deluxe" edition.
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- {{album chart|Australia|4|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Austria|1|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=11 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|1|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=5 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|3|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=5 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=9 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Czech|8|year=2017|week=18|rowheader=true|access-date=10 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|6|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=10 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|6|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=5 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Finland|10|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=7 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|France|2|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=9 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Germany|3|id=328299|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=5 May 2017}} |- !scope="row"|Greek Albums (IFPI)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html|title=Top-75 Albums Sales Chart Week: 20/2017|publisher=IFPI Greece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601004446/http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html|archive-date=1 June 2017|access-date=1 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> |11 |- {{album chart|Hungary|7|year=2017|week=18|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=12 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Ireland2|2|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Italy|3|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2017}} |- ! scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/269444/products/1230207/1/|title=ヒューマンズ {{!}} ゴリラズ|trans-title=Humanz {{!}} Gorillaz|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=14 February 2021|archive-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015064418/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/269444/products/1230207/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|32 |- !scope="row"|Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amprofon.com.mx/top-album.php |title=Top Album – Semanal (del 28 de Abril al 04 de Mayo)|access-date=29 May 2017|language=es|publisher=Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529030915/http://www.amprofon.com.mx/top-album.php|archive-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> |3 |- {{album chart|New Zealand|3|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=5 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Norway|4|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Poland|16|id=1081|rowheader=true|access-date=18 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Portugal|3|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=16 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20170505|rowheader=true|access-date=17 October 2020}} |- ! scope="row"| Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/36?weekId=2452|title=Top 100 Slovak Albums|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|access-date=August 10, 2024|archive-date=10 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810064229/https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/36?weekId=2452|url-status=live}}</ref> | 6 |- {{album chart|Spain|4|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=10 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|9|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=10 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Gorillaz|album=Humanz|rowheader=true|access-date=10 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|UK2|2|date=20170505|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=9 May 2017}} |- {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2018}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=9 May 2017}} |}<!-- Please do not add the Billboard Alternative Albums, Tastemaker or vinyl charts, they are component charts. --> {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2017/albums-chart|title=ARIA End of Year Albums 2017|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=5 January 2018|archive-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106213125/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2017/albums-chart|url-status=live}}</ref> | 76 |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten Albums 2017|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=21 December 2017|language=nl|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053748/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref> | 33 |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels Albums 2017|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=21 December 2017|language=fr|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053722/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref> | 62 |- ! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2017|title=Tops de l'année - Top Albums 2017|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815173224/http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-annuel/top-album-megafusion-annuel/?ye=2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | 160 |- ! scope="row"| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/album_db/2017|title=Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – eladási darabszám alapján – 2017|publisher=MAHASZ|language=hu|access-date=8 November 2020|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603161858/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/album_db/2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | 57 |- ! scope="row"| Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://centrodedesarrollodigital.com/amprofonanual/100.php |title=Los más vendidos 2017|access-date=5 February 2018|language=es|publisher=Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204025130/http://centrodedesarrollodigital.com/amprofonanual/100.php|archive-date=4 February 2018}}</ref> | 52 |- ! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2017/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2017 – hitparade.ch|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423115854/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2017/alben|url-status=live}}</ref> | 88 |- ! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20170101/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2017|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=10 January 2018|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416115338/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20170101/37502/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 69 |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=12 December 2017|archive-date=24 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224115207/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-billboard-200-albums|url-status=live}}</ref> | 139 |- ! scope="row"| US Tastemakers Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/tastemakers-albums |title=Tastemakers Albums – Year-End 2017 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526150149/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/tastemakers-albums |url-status=live }}</ref> | 6 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-alternative-albums |title=Top Alternative Albums – Year-End 2017 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=20 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820145439/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-alternative-albums |url-status=live }}</ref> | 11 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-rock-albums |title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2017 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214003518/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-rock-albums |url-status=live }}</ref> | 15 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Gorillaz|title=Humanz|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|award=Gold|type=album|access-date=25 May 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Gorillaz|title=Humanz|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=10 May 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Gold|artist=Gorillaz|title=Humanz|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|type=album|source=radioscope|access-date=29 December 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Gorillaz|title=Humanz|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|award=Gold|type=album|date=1 June 2022|access-date=1 June 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Gorillaz|title=Humanz|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|award=Gold|type=album|id=14305-1720-2|access-date=5 January 2018}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Gorillaz|title=Humanz|type=album|relyear=2017|nocert=true|salesamount=274,000|salesref=<ref name=hennemusic>{{cite web|url=http://www.hennemusic.com/2017/07/metallica-top-mid-year-us-rock-sales.html?m=1|title=Metallica top mid-year US rock sales report|work=Henne Music|last=Henne|first=Bruce|date=13 July 2017|access-date=5 August 2024|archive-date=5 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805175814/http://www.hennemusic.com/2017/07/metallica-top-mid-year-us-rock-sales.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref>|access-date=5 August 2024}} {{Certification Table Summary}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=500,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anuariossgae.com/anuario2018/frames.html|page=27|title=Los lanzamientos de álbumes de más éxito global 2017|publisher=Anuarios SGAE|access-date=18 August 2019|language=es|format=PDF - Click in the section "Música grabada"|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226040751/http://www.anuariossgae.com/anuario2018/frames.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Gorillaz}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2017 albums Category:Gorillaz albums Category:Parlophone albums Category:Albums recorded at Studio 13 Category:Warner Records albums Category:Albums produced by Damon Albarn Category:Funk albums by English artists