{{Short description|2017 single by Gorillaz}} {{Infobox song | name = Sleeping Powder | cover = AndromedaGorillazSingleCover.jpg | alt = | border = yes | type = single | artist = Gorillaz | album = | released = 8 June 2017 | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = {{hlist|Alternative rock<ref>{{cite web|first= Sofia |last= Vyas |title= 11 essential Gorillaz tracks |website= Time Out Dubai |date= 10 July 2017 |access-date= 6 July 2019 |url= http://www.timeoutdubai.com/music/features/77840-11-essential-gorillaz-tracks}}</ref>|psychedelic disco<ref>{{cite web|last=Leight|first=Elias|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-gorillazs-new-psychedelic-disco-song-sleeping-powder-w486693|title=Hear Gorillaz's New Psychedelic Disco Song, 'Sleeping Powder'|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=2017-06-08|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref>}} | length = 2:46 | label = Parlophone | writer = Damon Albarn | producer = Gorillaz | chronology = Gorillaz | prev_title = The Apprentice | prev_year = 2017 | next_title = Strobelite | next_year = 2017 | misc = {{External music video|type=single|{{YouTube|GzJGWAfmBco|"Sleeping Powder"}}}} }}
"'''Sleeping Powder'''" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz.<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/74058-gorillaz-share-video-for-new-song-sleeping-powder-watch/|title=Gorillaz Share Video for New Song "Sleeping Powder": Watch|date=8 June 2017|website=Pitchfork|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="rollingstones">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-gorillazs-new-psychedelic-disco-song-sleeping-powder-w486693|title=Hear Gorillaz's New Psychedelic Disco Song, 'Sleeping Powder'|date=8 June 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref> The song and its accompanying music video were released on 8 June 2017 via YouTube, with a live debut occurring that same day.<ref name="setlist">{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/gorillaz/2017/o2-academy-brixton-london-england-33e76821.html|title=Gorillaz Setlist|date=8 June 2017|website=setlist.fm|access-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> It was later released for streaming via Spotify and iTunes on 16 June 2017.
== Production == "Sleeping Powder" was the first song to be recorded and released after the release of ''Humanz''. Through deliberate design (and in contrast to ''Humanz''), it doesn't feature any musical collaborators. Damon Albarn, speaking through the perspective of fictional band member 2-D, explained this decision: "2-D felt maybe he was unrepresented on ''Humanz''. It wasn't a problem, but maybe he was a bit too generous, you know? So he thought he'd do a song just by himself, and make a video just with him, and not tell anyone else."<ref name=damonalbarn>{{cite speech |title = Addressing the audience|last= Albarn|first= Damon|event= Gorillaz at Brixton Academy|date= 8 June 2017|location= Brixton, London|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44GmrCQezBU&t=18s|via= YouTube}}</ref>
"Sleeping Powder" was written only three days before its June 8 debut, and its video was completed a day prior to release.<ref name=damonalbarn/> To facilitate such a speedy turnaround for a music video, motion capture (provided by Albarn) was used for 2-D's animation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://muzyka.onet.pl/wywiady/damon-albarn-gorillaz-nie-zostawiajmy-przyszlosci-w-rekach-prawicowych-idiotow-wywiad/06bvd7 |title=Damon Albarn (Gorillaz): nie zostawiajmy przyszłości w rękach prawicowych idiotów |last=Fall |first=Marek |work=Onet Muzyka |date=16 June 2017 |access-date=16 June 2017 |language=pl |trans-title=Damon Albarn (Gorillaz): Do not leave your future in the hands of right-wing idiots}}</ref> Backgrounds were largely composed of assorted stock footage.
== Music video == The music video opens with a clip from the 1987 anti-drug PSA, ''This Is Your Brain on Drugs''.
2-D sits at a grand piano, playing along with the song's opening. As the song progresses, the room begins to warp, with the walls and furniture floating away to reveal a blue void. With every scene transition, the background shifts through several clips of stock footage while 2-D dances to the music. The music video ends as it started, with the room reconstructing itself as 2-D plays the piano once more.
== Track listing == '''Digital release single''' # "Sleeping Powder" – 2:46
== Personnel == *Damon Albarn – vocals, synthesizer, bass guitar, drums *Remi Kabaka Jr. – drum programming *John Davis – mastering engineer *Stephen Sedgwick – mixing engineer
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|22|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=December 18, 2025}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Gorillaz singles}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2017 songs Category:Psychedelic soul songs Category:Gorillaz songs Category:Songs written by Damon Albarn Category:Parlophone singles Category:2017 singles