Gorillaz's new animated short takes 2D, Noodle & crew on a Jungle Book-inspired journey. Watch the visual for their 9th album, 'The Mountain'.
- March 15, 2026
AceShowbiz - The Gorillaz have released a distinctive animated short titled The Mountain, the Moon Cave and the Sad God, which showcases the band’s iconic characters—2D, Russel, Noodle, and Murdoc—embarking on a journey through a vividly illustrated Indian setting reminiscent of The Jungle Book. The animation features playful nods to the classic film, including a googly-eyed python and a formidable tiger, as the characters anticipate the reveal of a breathtaking mountain vista.
This new visual piece accompanies the launch of the band’s ninth album, The Mountain. The short creatively combines three tracks from the record: the Indian-inspired opener "The Mountain," the genre-blending "The Moon Cave," and the closing track "The Sad God." These songs feature contributions from notable artists including Bobby Womack, Anoushka Shankar, and the late De La Soul member Trugoy the Dove.
Directed by the group’s visual mastermind, Jamie Hewlett, the project was a labor of love that took 18 months to complete. Collaborating with the animation studio The Line, Hewlett emphasized traditional animation techniques by using hand-painted backgrounds and incorporating real materials. This approach pays homage to the classic 20th-century 2D animation style, deliberately avoiding modern digital shortcuts to maintain an authentic, artisanal feel.
In a recent discussion with Rolling Stone, both Hewlett and Damon Albarn—the musical core of Gorillaz—addressed their stance on artificial intelligence in art creation. Hewlett expressed his personal choice to avoid AI in his work, though he acknowledged it as a potential tool similar to Photoshop’s impact when it first emerged. Albarn reflected on the uncertain future of AI’s role in creativity, likening it to historical revolutions whose full effects take time to understand.
Gorillaz continue to push creative boundaries by blending music, animation, and cultural influences, with this latest short standing as a testament to their innovative spirit and dedication to craftsmanship in an increasingly digital world.
