Gorillaz announce 20th anniversary reissue of debut album with special boxset

Virgin Radio

5 Nov 2021, 12:53

Everyone’s favourite cartoon rockers Gorillaz have announced a 20th anniversary reissue of their self-titled debut album.

The very special boxset will also include demos, b-sides and live recordings and is spread over a whopping eight discs.

Titled ‘Gorillaz (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Vinyl Boxset)’ it will include the original album, a collection of b-sides called ‘G-Sides’ plus a remix album ‘Laika Come Home’.

The latter has never been available on vinyl previously.

If that wasn’t enough, it also features a live recording of their 2001 gig from London’s Kentish Town Forum, in addition to a 27 page collection of “leaked documents, memos, faxes and some early Jamie Hewlett drawings, assumed lost in a fire.” 

If you want to get your hands on them, a very limited run of first edition boxsets will be released on December 10, 2021. You can preorder here.  (link to 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Vinyl Boxset (First Edition) (gorillaz.com))

Don’t panic if you don’t manage to get a first edition, as more will be made available later next year. 

Their self-titled debut album was originally released on March 26, 2001. 

Gorillaz drummer Russel Hobbs said: “Whistles have been blown. Truths have come to light. What started out as a trip down memory lane took a damn sideways turn into the heart of darkness. They say the past is another country. Turns out, it’s a whole other dimension.”

There’s even more for Gorillaz fans to look forward to, as there will be a cinema release of Gorillaz’ 2020 livestream, ‘Song Machine Live’ in December.

It was recorded at their London-based Kong Studios HQ.

The livestream featured a whole host of superstar guest appearances including Peter Hook, Slaves, Slowthai, Robert Smith and more.

It’s only being shown for one day only though, on December 8.

It will feature the live performance, but there’s extra unseen behind-the-scenes footage which will only be shown in cinemas.  

There will also be interview footage and commentary from frontman Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett.

Tickets are on sale November 11 from here.

Damon is keeping busy, as he’s also releasing his second solo album.

Called ‘The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows’ is out on November 12.