Will Gorillaz’s Next Release Feature Asha Bhosle, Asha Puthli, Anoushka Shankar and More?

Seminal virtual band Gorillaz have reportedly enlisted Indian artists ranging from legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle to experimental jazz voice Asha Puthli to sitarist-composer Anoushka Shankar and flautist Ajay Prasanna for new music.

It was a closely guarded secret that Gorillaz founder Damon Albarn and the band’s recording members were in Mumbai last year, although they hinted towards escaping to Mumbai after canceling U.S. tour dates in 2023. Now, we’re seeing glimpses of new songs after a mystery show in London for select fans were treated to their upcoming ninth album in full.

The mystery show took place as part of their House of Kong residency shows in the U.K., closing with a set of all new music at a no-phones event at Copper Box Arena in London. While no recording was allowed, a few visuals have made it onto social media via fan pages, including seemingly Indian mythology-inspired visuals by the band’s Jamie Hewlett and a document listing the show’s live lineup.

In addition to the Indian artists, Stereogum reports that Mumbai/Goa-bred, London-based DJ Lady Ruffelin aka Rufy Ghazi was the opener for Gorillaz’s show. In true Gorillaz grandiosity, the new music also features the likes of veteran singer-songwriter Johnny Marr (from the Smiths), American hip-hop veterans The Roots’ rapper Black Thought, hip-hop veteran Yasiin Bey fka Mos Def, Syrian singing star Omar Souleyman, American pop-rock duo Sparks, U.K. rock band Idles’ Joe Talbot, Welsh artist Gruff Rhys, singer-songwriter Kara Jackson and more.

Rolling Stone India has contacted Gorillaz’s representatives for comment.

Albarn said in a recent interview with the Times that the new album “is in four languages.” While further details are yet to be revealed and none of the artists have made public their participation, it’s safe to say the new Gorillaz album will have a bit of Indian and West Asian/Middle Eastern music influence. The next album will be their ninth, following 2023’s Cracker Island.