Although the album is rife with elevating electronica, Plastic Beach is no light listening. The exploration of prevalent issues such as environmentalism and climate change gives the album delicious darkness, a mood that Albarn wishes to continue in Plastic Beach 2.

Albarn spoke about Plastic Beach and the album’s pertinence ten years after its release. In a recent interview with Radio.com, Albarn said that “sadly, more than ever the need to keep reminding people that we need to change our habits; to somehow help our climate is really necessary.” Albarn said.

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Time is running out for YOU to get your hands on one of these SIGNED Song Machine Test Pressings, just like 2D. So what are you waiting for?gorill.az/testpress (UK only désolé!) READ ALL ABOUT IT- @Guardian- @nmemagazine- @mojo4music

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Albarn explained his choice to give Plastic Beach a sequel, meditating that “maybe I need to revisit it, really.  I don’t think we can ever leave ‘Plastic Beach’. I’d like to just have an album called ‘Clean Beach’, but at the moment it’s still ‘Plastic Beach’. So Plastic Beach is a nice idea for me creatively but it’s also really depressing…but it’s necessary.”

Following the October 23rd release of Song Machine: Season One, Albarn confirmed today that Gorillaz will go on tour next year. In 2021, the virtual band will embark on their first live tour in two years.  Gorillaz will begin the Song Machine Tour in Köln on June 16th, 2021, and end the tour in London at a show on August 8th. Tickets for the Song Machine Tour are on sale now, and more information regarding this can be found here.

Gorillaz took to social media today to confirm a 2021 tour. The cartoon band shared a snap of the tour dates to Instagram, writing in the caption: “You’ve got ’til MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (GMT) to purchase Song Machine album with a #circleoffriendz pass for first access to Song Machine Tour 2021 tickets!” The post was greeted ecstatically by fans, gathering over 25,000 likes in a few short hours. 

Before beginning their upcoming tour, Gorillaz will end 2020 with a live stream debut of Song Machine: Season One. Gorillaz will play a series of live performances on December 12th and 13th, broadcasting the virtual gigs across three different time zones. 

The upcoming live stream marks the first collaboration between Gorillaz and LIVEnow. Director of LIVEnow Marc Watson relayed his excitement towards the live stream in an official statement. Watson said: “we are really proud to work alongside Gorillaz to create something truly special for fans all around the world. ‘SONG MACHINE LIVE’ will raise the bar on what to expect from live-streamed concerts.”

Song Machine: Season One is out now. The confirmed dates for Gorillaz Song Machine Tour 2021 go as follows:

16/06/2021 – Tanzbrunnen – Köln
18/06 – Parkbϋhne Wuhlheide
01/07 – Rockhal – Luxembourg
11/08 – The O2 – London