New Gold

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The narrative behind "New Gold" is rooted in a long gestation period that began in 2020. Damon Albarn revealed that while the track was initially intended for Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez, it was shelved because they could not finish the tune at the time. Albarn hinted that the song might eventually surface as part of the second season of Song Machine, but instead, it became a cornerstone of Cracker Island. The track's live debut occurred on 19 August 2022 during the Gorillaz World Tour 2022, serving as a prelude to its official release just two days later. This timeline highlights a period of creative refinement where the band revisited unfinished ideas to craft a collaboration that bridges generations and genres.

In Their Own Story

The creation of "New Gold" involved a specific convergence of talents: Damon Albarn providing vocals and synthesisers, Tame Impala contributing vocals, synthesisers, bass, guitars, drums, Wurlitzer, and engineering, and Bootie Brown delivering his vocals. The production team was extensive, including Greg Kurstin on multiple instruments and engineering duties, alongside Samuel Egglenton, Julian Burg, Matt Tuggle, David Reitzas, and Federico Foglia handling various engineering roles. Mark "Spike" Stent mixed the track with assistance from Matt Wolach, while Randy Merrill handled mastering. The song's journey from a 2020 Instagram teaser to a chart-topping single demonstrates the band's persistence in perfecting their sound, ultimately earning it a shortlist nomination for Song of the Year at the APRA Music Awards of 2024.

Reader's Guide

For listeners exploring "New Gold," the track offers a clear entry point into the Cracker Island era. It features a distinct lineup where Tame Impala takes on a massive role, covering instruments ranging from drums to Wurlitzer, while Bootie Brown returns to the fold after his last appearance in 2005. The song's performance on the charts is a key metric of its reception, specifically hitting number two on the US Alternative Airplay chart and number four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. Fans can trace the song's history from its first live performance on 19 August 2022 to its official release on 31 August 2022. The extensive personnel list, featuring engineers like Greg Kurstin and mixers like Mark "Spike" Stent, underscores the meticulous production quality that defined this specific collaboration.

Did You Know?

• "New Gold" marks Bootie Brown's second collaboration with Gorillaz, his first since "Dirty Harry" in 2005.
• The track was excluded from Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez because the band felt they "never seemed to get [their] tune finished."
• Tame Impala contributed vocals, synthesisers, bass, guitars, drums, and Wurlitzer to the recording.
• The song peaked at number two on the US Alternative Airplay chart.
• "New Gold" was shortlisted for Song of the Year at the APRA Music Awards of 2024.