The reception of this video has been unreal! Thank you guys! If you want more Gorillaz, check out the phase one lore explained here! th-cam.com/video/LJHH8o2gSqQ/w-d-xo.html
If the rumors of Alex Hirsch working with Damon and Jamie for the Netflix Gorillaz movie were true, I feel like it would've been all about this cult-ish shenanigans. Alex knows how to do weird especially with proof from Gravity Falls (sadly been cancelled though...) :(
@@thediamondplanet I think they were talking bout the recently cancelled Netflix Gorillaz movie, but fr tho it was a waste on their part to cancel something that would have benefited both party
I thought Russel getting up near the end of the Cracker island video was him snapping out of whatever trance he was in, not him getting possessed. I could be wrong of course, but that's the way I interpreted it.
I've always had a theory that their more "ghostly" collabs for music videos were done because the guest artist possessed him just like back in the original phase 1
@@shaneycakeI always thought De La Soul had possessed him in Feel Good inc. I was disappointed when I found out he was really only possessedby the rap guests in phase 1.
very enjoyable video, you did a good job explaining the story of phase 7 :) though, recently, murdoc sent out a forwarded email to those who subscribed to his personal newsletter. the email is from moon flower and it explains that 1: she is lady hollodown (and her first name is eleanor) 2: she was intending on saving 2d by giving clues to the rest of the band before the events of silent running, and 3: this is why she was given a few more days of mortality after her death, the band continue to keep her in an urn seen in a new-ish magazine cover
Damon Albarn definitely exists in the Gorillaz Universe, as he was 2-D's vocal coach between the self-titled Gorillaz album and Demon Dayz, as well as being part of the Gorillaz tribute band. The tribute band got renamed to The Gorillaz Live Band and consisted of a bunch of people that would've showed up during the Rhinestone Eyes music video because The Boogeyman came to get his end of the bargain with Murdoc. Damon Albarn is certified Gorillaz canon.
I bought my 1st Gorillaz cd when I was 34, I'm 56 now and still listening, thank you Gorillaz for walking beside me thru these last 2 decades...I look forward to more ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Don't fall into the trap of thinking everything has a purpose or will be explained. It could happen, but it's also possible they're there for neorealist reasons of expressing reality "just because it's something that character would do." Murdoc making 2D dig holes could be metaphorical, have a purpose, or just as much be just bc lol.
Something that you missed out was possession element with 'Possession Island' and that is also connected in 'Skinny Ape'. Originally, before watching your video, my interpretation of the story was that Murdoc was trying to sell 2-D's soul to Hollywood, a.k.a the Forever Cult, and try to make profit off Gorillaz as an IP. The Forever Cult could then make a whole franchise with 2-D: cartoon TV shows, a live action movie, video games, theme park rides, toy figurines, merch, etc. That is why 2-D is wearing a Mickey Mouse-esque hat in all the music video. 'Skinny Ape', in my interpretation, is 2-D singing as he is going through a Hollywood IP exorcism ritual, where he becomes self aware of the very idea of himself and that he is just a piece of fiction. He literally becomes an Intellectual Property and nothing else. 'Possession Island' is the aftermath of the ritual, where 2-D sings about not existing anymore, but not quite dying. Like he is no longer a being but an idea of one.
Are we not all just the idea of a being. The character we make up in our heads. "We" are our own intellectual property, "we" don't exist but we haven't died. We are just the energy of the universe dancing to entertain itself. Hollywood can do that to a person though, Give them that existential revelation, that the persona we play is just a character, like any other character. Actors go through that a lot, the person you see in front of the screen in interviews is an act, the person in the movie, is an act. The more you play parts, the more you realize the "you" you hold onto, is less static than you think it is. (maybe not even just actors... any public personality, any icon. Icons are all false. just masks we wear)
That's interesting, having Del comeback to remind the band to Reject False Icons because that not what he, all of his other dead friends or Russell are about sounds good
I think the fact everyone that disappeared in the cult was wearing masks is connected, maybe the masks had the power of the moster. (You can see Noodle with a book about masks in 3:59) And also think somehow Murdoc knew about some entity being underground and asked 2D to dig holes so they could find it
Isn't there any relationship between the monster in silent running and the monster who destroyed Plastic Beach? I thought that they were one and the same when I saw the video the first time, but I haven't heard anyone else make the comparison. I hope I'm right in this theory, as it would connect the last two phases and give some weight to the relatively poor depth of lore that was presented during the song machine. At least it would imply that some events of phase 6 had an impact on the development of the characters instead of only being an episodic collection of unrelated stories.
I personally don’t think they’re the same for two reasons. 1 cause they look different. We know the monster in the SR video has looked the same all his life due to the movie poster from 1925 and he doesn’t look like the sea creature from TLC vid. 2. Their locations. One is under the Hollywood sign while the other is in the middle of the ocean. I think personally that’s where they both live/roam. While it would be cool if they were the same (I thought the same thing when I first watched SR), I think phase 6 just had lackluster lore that wasn’t thought out properly (or was changed due to Covid). And they created a whole new monster for this phase. Maybe the Gorillaz world could have a problem with monsters 🤔 interesting theory tho!
@@SelfTitled76 They were just chilling in a boat while monsters were roaming during Désolé, they certainly have an issue with monsters in their universe 😂 Yeah, I noticed that the location issue was the weakest part of my theory. Anyways, people on the internet haven't been able to clearly define what the monster in the Lost Chord was, or why it destroyed Plastic Beach. I think a good theory is it being a herald of Pazuzu that appeared in order to cut deeds with Murdoc. Maybe Pazuzu is the one behind the broadcast of the static, as his image was very prevalent during the Cracker Island video, and it's using these monsters (TLC & SR) in order to hunt the band because of Murdoc's past deals with the devil. The plans of the Forever Cult might have just been a consequence of him pulling the strings from behind. edit: I believe a portal-related explanation can patch many of the inconsistencies of these theories XD The portals were not even expanded on the lore, they also don't have a clearcut explanation
@@SelfTitled76 "Maybe the Gorillaz world could have a problem with monsters " - I mean it's canon that they exist in the same universe as Powerpuff Girls (Ace from the Gangreen Gang replacing Murdoc while the prime pickle was in the jar, Gorillaz concert advertised in a newspaper in a PPG episode iirc, and apparently the reason behind the first point being that Ace and Murdoc used to run in the same circles), so it would make sense.
Somehow, I think we are getting that long wanted Gorillaz movie after all.... just in piecewise form🤔 maybe even better that way. Love putting the pieces together across multimedia. Also.... KUDOS for thanking Jamie first--- doesn't get nearly enough credit!🙌🙌🙌🙌
It’ll come soon with time . At some point people will be intrested enough into them that someone will make like a one season Netflix thing like they did with edge runners imo . Someone just has to put either the time into doing all the lore searching and put everything together perfectly or even maybe get the help of the band it’s self to help with what to put where ect ect or your gonna need a lot of money to pay someone to do all that for you … and both aren’t cheap tbh .. both options need money but doing it yourself would probably feel more rewarding so 🤷♂️ hope someone will do it one day 😊😊
2 quick things I noticed in the Cracker Island video that I'm not sure if are Things: at 1:35, the police officer slightly blocking 2D from the camera curls her hand around her gun (she takes it out later when Murdoc comes in), and then later at 3:06 Noodle mouths something to Murdoc/the camera that I can't make out. Did anyone else catch these/ make sense of them?
You really did a good job explaining their lore, it's often very complicated and thanks to you I explain a bit more. As a writer, the lore and storytelling of Gorillaz surprises me often.
always brings a smile to my face when i see lore for gorillaz, i went to the concert live when the albums first release came out and it was an absolute blast
Fun fact in case you missed it, the head logo for the last cult looks like the same head from the Dsides album cover and the rockit music video, a statue of the thing can also be seen in the rhinestone eyes music video storyboard
I think this is amazing. I’m a big “lore” guy and I can’t believe this band has over 2 decades of not just music but an entire universe filled with its own history and a continuing story. Even if you don’t really like their music, you have to admit that this level of dedication after 23 years is incredible.
Why does Noodle look SO drastically different between the pink hair and black hair versions??? Is there something lore wise that covers these 2 versions?
@@arielpabon4462 other than who the eyes, nose, and mouth are drawn so drastically different when she has pink hair vs the black hair, the character's demeanor also shifts heavily. In the black hair she has a far more Murdoc like grunge aggressiveness that feels more in line with the assassin lore but in the pink hair she's far more calm and collected and seems to act with a far more analytical approach. I wasn't sure if there was some sort of lore behind it. Honestly, the first time I saw it, I thought it was some new member because Noodle was away for some reason and the band needed a guitarist similar to when Ace from the mean green gang took over for Murdoc.
Great breakdown! Me and my best friend are Gorillaz fans and have had our own theories for Cracker Island. Your video really helped pieced some stuff together for us!
I just found your channel via this video but I’d totally love a series where you explain like you did with this one for all of the phases! A large undertaking but it would be really cool!
Yes! We are considering bringing them in on this subject... Seems a little deeper when viewed outside of fandom. But might use that walking Gorillaz encyclopedia for the enlightenment of many, unconnected to this phase/phylum/bracket... Will have to inquire if they're interested... kEk 🐸s would certainly appreciate.
Great job! I’ve semi kept up with lore this phase, but having it laid out in a understandable way is so great, I don’t know if this phase is truly over yet, but I’m already excited for phase 8
thank you for keeping up on this and sharing with us! I can tstill remember the first time i saw the video for clint eastwood and it blew my little mind. i really enjoy you taking me through the new lore :)
Ah, I needed this video!! Now I get everything. I have listened to them since I was young, but never followed the lore, haha. Hope to see more of your theories, man!!
The sound was low until the end where my ears were treated to a nice lil yell through my headphones 🥲 great video other than that part (I was like really vibing and coasting on a low frequency throughout the video)
Thanks so much for doing this. It filled in some gaps for me. Cracker island is obviously the end of the story, and the trope of stories that begin with the final scene and then spend the rest of the time getting there is pretty common. Silent running is therefore the "end" of the story, as it details events immediately preceding the "beginning". If you see what I mean. The song "Fools Gold", which I've been listening to on a loop, also seems to tie into the events before "Silent Running" and ties in to the 'made up paradise' of "Cracker Island". When you look at the lyrics from the "Cracker Island" video, I think they are about the monster in "Silent Running", as well as being a metaphor (the monster is a consistent metaphor, which tells a deeper story underneath the Gorillaz story). The monster was born on cracker Island, to the collective of the dawn (forever cult), and it will die there (because it swallowed essence of Murdoch). And its sadness 2D consumed, into his formats every day. Of course the Lyrics are also what 2D is telling the police, and he's an unreliable narrator because he's still totally high/tripping. It's a genius construction when you think about it. You could also see from the videos that Moonflower/the high priestess in "Silent Running" is the same woman (same actress) in the "Cracker Island" video, reverting to her true age. Russ confused me, because I don't follow the whole story closely so I did not know about the Static Channel. His whole deal makes a lot more sense now. Noodle shaking her head at Murdoch at the end of the video also makes more sense. I mean, Noodle is always shaking her head at Murdoch, but specifically here he's infatuated with the leader of the cult that nearly sacrificed 2D, who is literally about to die of accelerated old age. WTF is wrong with him?
Did you notice the similarities to some scenes from the animated "Anastasia" movie in the Silent Running video? Probably in tribute to the animation studio head and to mark the 25th anniversary of that movie. They were pictured in Mels Diner in West Hollywood. That could be honoring the 50th anniversary of "American Graffiti" though it was filmed at a different diner location. Some songs on the Cracker Island album could be referencing history associated with the Silver Lake area, including Harry Hay, the Cove Avenue Staircase and the Radical Faeries.
Here’s my guess, Murdoc created the last cult, just to promote the album, to make money and ego. lol Other things just happen to fall into place like with Russ and the static channel, which did end up being a prophecy to happen of them stopping the Forever Cult. Like if you watch the TH-cam shorts or Instagram shorts and the discord there are times that you can take Murdoc is just doing this for ego and fun, and doesn’t believe his his own crap, and that’s why he doesn’t get the Static Channel that Russel is seeing. Even in one of the Interviews I saw Noodle thinks Murdoc is full of it, as she is trying to actually make the cult good. I also thing the face you see in the cracker island music video is the ones you see on that art piece of their home you should, it was on a cover of a magazine Noodle had near her, as it says like “Masks” and is probably symbolism of a mask or façade as MoonFloor isn’t who she says she is cause she isn’t really that young, but is much much older, and the face is the dark mask she and forever cult hide behind. Also I don’t think Russel gets posted at the end, I think he just finally snaps out of it from the static channel and is back to normal. And lastly I think MoonFloor turns into dust at the end as Murdoc kisses her, but we don’t see, but I’m not sure. In the end I think it’s a fun story and they didn’t take themselves too seriously. Great video by the way.
Re: Moon Flower turning to dust, Murdoc said that did happen, but a few days after the CI video, and that he still has her ashes/dust in an urn (seen on a recent magazine cover with the band on it).
in the commentary for Humility Murdoc says that ace is stockpiling and has moved to the desert, the fact that he's become a preper right before the band went on their whole cult thing have to be related
Gorillaz for me represents music that makes me dance and smile at the same time. So honestly that is story enough for me. But it is fun on the side to watch the story as they have been creating it. I hope to see the movie one day!
The last 3 albums (Cracker Island, Song Machine S1 and The Now Now) are so amazing!! This is coming from a 3 week old Gorillaz fan lol. I became an instant fan when my little brother recommended them to me. Only songs I knew from them before were Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry, On Melancholy Hill and Feel Good Inc. I guess Plastic Beach is undoubtedly they're greatest album.
with Del showing back up on the deluxe edition i'd not be surprised if Russel is possessed by him again and the static channel was Del calling out to him to get back to the human world.
I think that Murdoc (unconsciously) knew about the monster and wanted to kill it before Silent Running events, so 2d needed to dig holes and find the monsters cave sorry if it has some english errors, i am Brazilian
I hope New Gold and Skinny Ape will have a music video cause it’d be cool to see how their songs look like in a music video format. I’d absolutely want to see really over the top bright colours in a Skinny Ape music video
0:53 fortunately for you though, you’re not the only no-life gorillaz fan who’s been following their lore for years. :) you are yet another brother of our cult.
i like how they just accepted the idea of making a cult out of nowhere, i guess if they didn't there wouldn't be an album, just house they moved to and spend all day doing nothing
Demon Days A Mountain called Monkey erupted Digging holes Plastic beach Rhinestone eyes 4 horseman of the apecalypse appear in the video as Murdoc makes the deal
No matter what. Russel and noodle were always the loveable and caring members. I genuinely think 2-D loves everyone but.... Due to the murdoc-induced dents I his head... He's wrapped around murdoc and moon flowers fingers. Murdoc... Has always been.... Kinda two faced ... But deep down we all know he loves everyone too. He just has a hard time honestly expressing it..
As a total noob to Gorillaz, especially the whole character thing, I have zero idea about that. But as a stand-alone track it seems like a pretty clear dig at homogenous groups in general but one right leaning one in particular.
I was so confused because they release the videos backwards. And today on Instagram they just posted that they were going on the run because of the LAPD confiscating their passports or something so it could be a continuation or it could be the next phase.
Murdoch bottling his bath water is no doubt a reference to cult leader who actually did this (I think it was Jim Jones?). Well, I don't know if he actually bottled it and sold it but he did make his followers drink it.
My guess for skinney ape is right between Cracker Island and Silent Runnung telling the band that he is dying? Them saying Skinny Ape refers to himselve and Don't be sad for me is saying dont be sad that he is dying thats my guess and Baby Queen was for noodle i think.
Before i watch this vid i just wanna say that silent running comes first as it shows 2d being in some kind of ritual but when he manages to get unstuck the police come and then it goes onto cracker island
![ลองสุ่มไอโฟน 990 โกงมั้ย? [ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.101 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bfsWe0j492k/mqdefault.jpg)
The reception of this video has been unreal! Thank you guys! If you want more Gorillaz, check out the phase one lore explained here! th-cam.com/video/LJHH8o2gSqQ/w-d-xo.html
"Why did Murdoc make 2-D dig so many holes?" Probably because he thought it would be funny because Murdoc is Murdoc
This is my head cannon now
fr
It’s because Murdoc was a gravedigger at one point.
The ingredients were probably underground
Reminds me of a book and movie called holes tbh
love how murdoc's literally out here selling his gamer boy bath water
I love how his gamer boy bath water was so toxic it killed a seemingly immortal monster
Nah blud has to be eating radon or sumthin
Russel just in his own little world is so funny
Also kinda disturbing. Bro has been rock solid for the entire series, and now I think that rock is starting to crumble
It’s the static channel mate
@@wingtubfair enough but still game was game until now
If the rumors of Alex Hirsch working with Damon and Jamie for the Netflix Gorillaz movie were true, I feel like it would've been all about this cult-ish shenanigans. Alex knows how to do weird especially with proof from Gravity Falls (sadly been cancelled though...) :(
Gravity Falls wasn't cancelled, it just reached its natural conclusion
@@thediamondplanet I think they were talking bout the recently cancelled Netflix Gorillaz movie, but fr tho it was a waste on their part to cancel something that would have benefited both party
Netflix sucks with animated projects, like how they cancelled inside job so fast
They should've brought it back
I thought Russel getting up near the end of the Cracker island video was him snapping out of whatever trance he was in, not him getting possessed. I could be wrong of course, but that's the way I interpreted it.
He gets red pupils if you look closely. Pale red/pink. Little hard to see, you can see it around 10:30. Which definitely says to ME he got possessed.
@@owlrecluse2234 I'm pretty sure he's had those redish pupils before...
@@pixywings I dont think he had pupils before
I hope Russel getting possessed means Del is coming back, but it'd be just as funny if he got possessed by a different ghost
Most likely and I hope It was Del Because Del came back with a song called Captain Chicken for the cracker island deluxe edition album
I've always had a theory that their more "ghostly" collabs for music videos were done because the guest artist possessed him just like back in the original phase 1
@@shaneycakeI always thought De La Soul had possessed him in Feel Good inc. I was disappointed when I found out he was really only possessedby the rap guests in phase 1.
@@Quickdraw277 del is seriously underused
del got exorcised. hes not coming back
I like how Noodle's eyes opened as she got older lol
She finally woke up
Lmao right!
They grew along with her
Yea they went from *--* *--* to
very enjoyable video, you did a good job explaining the story of phase 7 :)
though, recently, murdoc sent out a forwarded email to those who subscribed to his personal newsletter. the email is from moon flower and it explains that 1: she is lady hollodown (and her first name is eleanor) 2: she was intending on saving 2d by giving clues to the rest of the band before the events of silent running, and 3: this is why she was given a few more days of mortality
after her death, the band continue to keep her in an urn seen in a new-ish magazine cover
Awesome!!
Damon Albarn definitely exists in the Gorillaz Universe, as he was 2-D's vocal coach between the self-titled Gorillaz album and Demon Dayz, as well as being part of the Gorillaz tribute band. The tribute band got renamed to The Gorillaz Live Band and consisted of a bunch of people that would've showed up during the Rhinestone Eyes music video because The Boogeyman came to get his end of the bargain with Murdoc. Damon Albarn is certified Gorillaz canon.
Yeah the rant was originally longer where I detail some of that, but cut it to keep a quicker pace and to end the video
@@SelfTitled76 nice, cheers
I bought my 1st Gorillaz cd when I was 34, I'm 56 now and still listening, thank you Gorillaz for walking beside me thru these last 2 decades...I look forward to more ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Don't fall into the trap of thinking everything has a purpose or will be explained. It could happen, but it's also possible they're there for neorealist reasons of expressing reality "just because it's something that character would do." Murdoc making 2D dig holes could be metaphorical, have a purpose, or just as much be just bc lol.
Murdoc almost killing 2d because he rizzed mayflower is hilarious
no one wants moldy rizz
Skinny ape lyrics might suggest it’s 2-D spewing about him being the chosen one given the repeat of “bringing in a new age so don’t feel bad for me”
How does people understand Gorillaz' lore without watching detailed videos like this one explaining everything?
Something that you missed out was possession element with 'Possession Island' and that is also connected in 'Skinny Ape'.
Originally, before watching your video, my interpretation of the story was that Murdoc was trying to sell 2-D's soul to Hollywood, a.k.a the Forever Cult, and try to make profit off Gorillaz as an IP. The Forever Cult could then make a whole franchise with 2-D: cartoon TV shows, a live action movie, video games, theme park rides, toy figurines, merch, etc. That is why 2-D is wearing a Mickey Mouse-esque hat in all the music video.
'Skinny Ape', in my interpretation, is 2-D singing as he is going through a Hollywood IP exorcism ritual, where he becomes self aware of the very idea of himself and that he is just a piece of fiction. He literally becomes an Intellectual Property and nothing else. 'Possession Island' is the aftermath of the ritual, where 2-D sings about not existing anymore, but not quite dying. Like he is no longer a being but an idea of one.
Kinda makes a lot of sense with the falling out of the Gorrilaz Netflix movie adaption
Are we not all just the idea of a being. The character we make up in our heads. "We" are our own intellectual property, "we" don't exist but we haven't died. We are just the energy of the universe dancing to entertain itself. Hollywood can do that to a person though, Give them that existential revelation, that the persona we play is just a character, like any other character. Actors go through that a lot, the person you see in front of the screen in interviews is an act, the person in the movie, is an act. The more you play parts, the more you realize the "you" you hold onto, is less static than you think it is. (maybe not even just actors... any public personality, any icon. Icons are all false. just masks we wear)
So now that we got the full album and Del made his return. And he's the ghost that possessed Russ originally. Do you think he's possessing Russ again?
That's interesting, having Del comeback to remind the band to Reject False Icons because that not what he, all of his other dead friends or Russell are about sounds good
@@thediamondplanet GOD IF DEL RETURNS ID BE SO HAPPY i missed that funny ghostman
I think the fact everyone that disappeared in the cult was wearing masks is connected, maybe the masks had the power of the moster. (You can see Noodle with a book about masks in 3:59)
And also think somehow Murdoc knew about some entity being underground and asked 2D to dig holes so they could find it
I could be wrong but the cover of the book about masks is that not the face that keeps appearing??
It was 2000 I was 7 and I first heard Gorillaz. I fell in love with them. Now I'm 30 and they are still making music, amazing. I'll love them forever
Isn't there any relationship between the monster in silent running and the monster who destroyed Plastic Beach? I thought that they were one and the same when I saw the video the first time, but I haven't heard anyone else make the comparison. I hope I'm right in this theory, as it would connect the last two phases and give some weight to the relatively poor depth of lore that was presented during the song machine. At least it would imply that some events of phase 6 had an impact on the development of the characters instead of only being an episodic collection of unrelated stories.
I personally don’t think they’re the same for two reasons.
1 cause they look different. We know the monster in the SR video has looked the same all his life due to the movie poster from 1925 and he doesn’t look like the sea creature from TLC vid.
2. Their locations. One is under the Hollywood sign while the other is in the middle of the ocean. I think personally that’s where they both live/roam.
While it would be cool if they were the same (I thought the same thing when I first watched SR), I think phase 6 just had lackluster lore that wasn’t thought out properly (or was changed due to Covid). And they created a whole new monster for this phase. Maybe the Gorillaz world could have a problem with monsters 🤔 interesting theory tho!
@@SelfTitled76 They were just chilling in a boat while monsters were roaming during Désolé, they certainly have an issue with monsters in their universe 😂 Yeah, I noticed that the location issue was the weakest part of my theory. Anyways, people on the internet haven't been able to clearly define what the monster in the Lost Chord was, or why it destroyed Plastic Beach. I think a good theory is it being a herald of Pazuzu that appeared in order to cut deeds with Murdoc. Maybe Pazuzu is the one behind the broadcast of the static, as his image was very prevalent during the Cracker Island video, and it's using these monsters (TLC & SR) in order to hunt the band because of Murdoc's past deals with the devil. The plans of the Forever Cult might have just been a consequence of him pulling the strings from behind.
edit: I believe a portal-related explanation can patch many of the inconsistencies of these theories XD The portals were not even expanded on the lore, they also don't have a clearcut explanation
They are definitely not the same monster. They look nothing alike, and their homes or lairs are nowhere near each other.
@@SelfTitled76 it definitely dose you see the main characters ignoring them all the time.
@@SelfTitled76 "Maybe the Gorillaz world could have a problem with monsters " - I mean it's canon that they exist in the same universe as Powerpuff Girls (Ace from the Gangreen Gang replacing Murdoc while the prime pickle was in the jar, Gorillaz concert advertised in a newspaper in a PPG episode iirc, and apparently the reason behind the first point being that Ace and Murdoc used to run in the same circles), so it would make sense.
Somehow, I think we are getting that long wanted Gorillaz movie after all.... just in piecewise form🤔 maybe even better that way. Love putting the pieces together across multimedia. Also....
KUDOS for thanking Jamie first--- doesn't get nearly enough credit!🙌🙌🙌🙌
They literally just came out and said the Netflix movie was cancelled due to budget cuts unfortunately, at this stage I doubt it will ever happen
they’ve been doing the music video lore thing since demon days, this isn’t anything new
It’ll come soon with time . At some point people will be intrested enough into them that someone will make like a one season Netflix thing like they did with edge runners imo . Someone just has to put either the time into doing all the lore searching and put everything together perfectly or even maybe get the help of the band it’s self to help with what to put where ect ect or your gonna need a lot of money to pay someone to do all that for you … and both aren’t cheap tbh .. both options need money but doing it yourself would probably feel more rewarding so 🤷♂️ hope someone will do it one day 😊😊
Bruh we’ve been waiting 20 years for it it’s not gunna happen
2 quick things I noticed in the Cracker Island video that I'm not sure if are Things: at 1:35, the police officer slightly blocking 2D from the camera curls her hand around her gun (she takes it out later when Murdoc comes in), and then later at 3:06 Noodle mouths something to Murdoc/the camera that I can't make out. Did anyone else catch these/ make sense of them?
You really did a good job explaining their lore, it's often very complicated and thanks to you I explain a bit more. As a writer, the lore and storytelling of Gorillaz surprises me often.
You only get art like this once in a lifetime baby. Hope the story never ends.
always brings a smile to my face when i see lore for gorillaz, i went to the concert live when the albums first release came out and it was an absolute blast
Fun fact in case you missed it, the head logo for the last cult looks like the same head from the Dsides album cover and the rockit music video, a statue of the thing can also be seen in the rhinestone eyes music video storyboard
Thank you for uploading this. I’ve been a little confused about the lore of this phase but now I know! 👍
Woah, even for Gorillaz Lore Standards this is quite out there. Like Gorillaz were on Jersey Shore during a Black Mirror episode holy fook
this deserves more views!
Thank you! That means a lot!
The false profit/prophet thing is hilarious 😂😂
I think this is amazing. I’m a big “lore” guy and I can’t believe this band has over 2 decades of not just music but an entire universe filled with its own history and a continuing story. Even if you don’t really like their music, you have to admit that this level of dedication after 23 years is incredible.
Why does Noodle look SO drastically different between the pink hair and black hair versions??? Is there something lore wise that covers these 2 versions?
Anyone who tries a new haircut will look drastically different than before. It’s not that deep.
@@arielpabon4462 other than who the eyes, nose, and mouth are drawn so drastically different when she has pink hair vs the black hair, the character's demeanor also shifts heavily. In the black hair she has a far more Murdoc like grunge aggressiveness that feels more in line with the assassin lore but in the pink hair she's far more calm and collected and seems to act with a far more analytical approach. I wasn't sure if there was some sort of lore behind it.
Honestly, the first time I saw it, I thought it was some new member because Noodle was away for some reason and the band needed a guitarist similar to when Ace from the mean green gang took over for Murdoc.
@@RJP0PE1 she got redesigned for the last couple phases because she's an adult now and not a kid
Great video!
At 3:44 you said her obelisk was taller and freakier, but in the Stuart Potcast I remember him saying it was taller and creepier
thanks i had no idea what the lore was for this phase
Thank you for explaining this! This phase confused me even more than the previous ones ^^"
Great breakdown! Me and my best friend are Gorillaz fans and have had our own theories for Cracker Island. Your video really helped pieced some stuff together for us!
I just found your channel via this video but I’d totally love a series where you explain like you did with this one for all of the phases! A large undertaking but it would be really cool!
I was thinking about that!
Great summary and very entertaining. You’re so well informed!
Yes! We are considering bringing them in on this subject... Seems a little deeper when viewed outside of fandom. But might use that walking Gorillaz encyclopedia for the enlightenment of many, unconnected to this phase/phylum/bracket... Will have to inquire if they're interested... kEk 🐸s would certainly appreciate.
Great job! I’ve semi kept up with lore this phase, but having it laid out in a understandable way is so great, I don’t know if this phase is truly over yet, but I’m already excited for phase 8
thank you for keeping up on this and sharing with us! I can tstill remember the first time i saw the video for clint eastwood and it blew my little mind. i really enjoy you taking me through the new lore :)
Ah, I needed this video!! Now I get everything. I have listened to them since I was young, but never followed the lore, haha.
Hope to see more of your theories, man!!
The sound was low until the end where my ears were treated to a nice lil yell through my headphones 🥲 great video other than that part (I was like really vibing and coasting on a low frequency throughout the video)
NOODLE I LOVE YOU
Yo fantastic video, hope you get more attention, you are great!
Thanks so much for doing this. It filled in some gaps for me.
Cracker island is obviously the end of the story, and the trope of stories that begin with the final scene and then spend the rest of the time getting there is pretty common. Silent running is therefore the "end" of the story, as it details events immediately preceding the "beginning". If you see what I mean.
The song "Fools Gold", which I've been listening to on a loop, also seems to tie into the events before "Silent Running" and ties in to the 'made up paradise' of "Cracker Island".
When you look at the lyrics from the "Cracker Island" video, I think they are about the monster in "Silent Running", as well as being a metaphor (the monster is a consistent metaphor, which tells a deeper story underneath the Gorillaz story). The monster was born on cracker Island, to the collective of the dawn (forever cult), and it will die there (because it swallowed essence of Murdoch). And its sadness 2D consumed, into his formats every day. Of course the Lyrics are also what 2D is telling the police, and he's an unreliable narrator because he's still totally high/tripping. It's a genius construction when you think about it.
You could also see from the videos that Moonflower/the high priestess in "Silent Running" is the same woman (same actress) in the "Cracker Island" video, reverting to her true age.
Russ confused me, because I don't follow the whole story closely so I did not know about the Static Channel. His whole deal makes a lot more sense now.
Noodle shaking her head at Murdoch at the end of the video also makes more sense. I mean, Noodle is always shaking her head at Murdoch, but specifically here he's infatuated with the leader of the cult that nearly sacrificed 2D, who is literally about to die of accelerated old age. WTF is wrong with him?
I hope the story isn't over
Did you notice the similarities to some scenes from the animated "Anastasia" movie in the Silent Running video? Probably in tribute to the animation studio head and to mark the 25th anniversary of that movie.
They were pictured in Mels Diner in West Hollywood. That could be honoring the 50th anniversary of "American Graffiti" though it was filmed at a different diner location.
Some songs on the Cracker Island album could be referencing history associated with the Silver Lake area, including Harry Hay, the Cove Avenue Staircase and the Radical Faeries.
Here’s my guess, Murdoc created the last cult, just to promote the album, to make money and ego. lol
Other things just happen to fall into place like with Russ and the static channel, which did end up being a prophecy to happen of them stopping the Forever Cult.
Like if you watch the TH-cam shorts or Instagram shorts and the discord there are times that you can take Murdoc is just doing this for ego and fun, and doesn’t believe his his own crap, and that’s why he doesn’t get the Static Channel that Russel is seeing. Even in one of the Interviews I saw Noodle thinks Murdoc is full of it, as she is trying to actually make the cult good.
I also thing the face you see in the cracker island music video is the ones you see on that art piece of their home you should, it was on a cover of a magazine Noodle had near her, as it says like “Masks” and is probably symbolism of a mask or façade as MoonFloor isn’t who she says she is cause she isn’t really that young, but is much much older, and the face is the dark mask she and forever cult hide behind.
Also I don’t think Russel gets posted at the end, I think he just finally snaps out of it from the static channel and is back to normal. And lastly I think MoonFloor turns into dust at the end as Murdoc kisses her, but we don’t see, but I’m not sure.
In the end I think it’s a fun story and they didn’t take themselves too seriously. Great video by the way.
Re: Moon Flower turning to dust, Murdoc said that did happen, but a few days after the CI video, and that he still has her ashes/dust in an urn (seen on a recent magazine cover with the band on it).
in the commentary for Humility Murdoc says that ace is stockpiling and has moved to the desert, the fact that he's become a preper right before the band went on their whole cult thing have to be related
Gorillaz for me represents music that makes me dance and smile at the same time. So honestly that is story enough for me. But it is fun on the side to watch the story as they have been creating it. I hope to see the movie one day!
Holy crap this is insane. Thank you for compiling this.
Hehehehe great content fellow gorillaz fan. Thanks to summarize the new lore! Gotta stay up to date 🤓
You forgot the biggest loose end: what are the lore implications of Del coming back for Captain Chicken?
The last 3 albums (Cracker Island, Song Machine S1 and The Now Now) are so amazing!! This is coming from a 3 week old Gorillaz fan lol. I became an instant fan when my little brother recommended them to me. Only songs I knew from them before were Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry, On Melancholy Hill and Feel Good Inc.
I guess Plastic Beach is undoubtedly they're greatest album.
I genuinely LOVED the MatPat reference! XD
Idk if you had the emails from the great leader but they had some lore
Yup, that was released after this video went up. That’s the only problem with releasing a video in the middle of a phase lol
with Del showing back up on the deluxe edition i'd not be surprised if Russel is possessed by him again and the static channel was Del calling out to him to get back to the human world.
Just got into this phase and I love the theme and how fits with my other fave band ghost
I remember when I would check everyone of there social meadias everyday and right theoris like Russel lol
This new version of Noodle finna make me act up💀💀💀
this literally sounds like me explaining a dream i had
I think that Murdoc (unconsciously) knew about the monster and wanted to kill it before Silent Running events, so 2d needed to dig holes and find the monsters cave
sorry if it has some english errors, i am Brazilian
We’re just not gonna talk about the fact that moonflower called murdoc a pickle? Ok
I hope New Gold and Skinny Ape will have a music video cause it’d be cool to see how their songs look like in a music video format. I’d absolutely want to see really over the top bright colours in a Skinny Ape music video
EXTRA DETAIL ABOUT STORY: moon flower crumbled up into dust 2 days after she was brought back to life. Murdoc keeps her ashes in an urn now
dude casually ignored that Flatulence(the antagonist from Plastc Beach) showed up in the silent running video
0:53 fortunately for you though, you’re not the only no-life gorillaz fan who’s been following their lore for years. :) you are yet another brother of our cult.
Thanks man. I have not been keeping up with the lore this phase at all. I gotta catch up
This video is great I like how he put so much time into this! Sub worthy!
i like how they just accepted the idea of making a cult out of nowhere, i guess if they didn't there wouldn't be an album, just house they moved to and spend all day doing nothing
Yay, I only missed a few things.
Great video man
Thank you!
i love your videos man keep up the good work!
Thank you!! I'm glad you enjoy them!
very well made and so easy to follow! wonderful video!! i enjoyed every second !!!!! can't wait for more !!!! :)
while watching this i was just thinking "none of this makes any sense". and then i remembered gorillaz lore has literally never made sense
Demon Days
A Mountain called Monkey erupted
Digging holes
Plastic beach
Rhinestone eyes
4 horseman of the apecalypse appear in the video as Murdoc makes the deal
murdoc needs 2D to dig holes to hide his bodys TwT
there has to be more there are so many unanswered questions
No matter what. Russel and noodle were always the loveable and caring members.
I genuinely think 2-D loves everyone but.... Due to the murdoc-induced dents I his head... He's wrapped around murdoc and moon flowers fingers.
Murdoc... Has always been.... Kinda two faced
...
But deep down we all know he loves everyone too.
He just has a hard time honestly expressing it..
The only reason I hardly understood the music videos for cracker island was because I stumbled upon the Stuart Potcast, lol
i cant help but feel the couldn't meet at their plans again just like with the other phases
there is a new song called captain chicken with del... and russel seems to be possesed again... just saying
I never thought of that! That’s awesome!
Yes!!! I love all the gorillaz arcs, so im glad you made this
Thank you for makeing this I love the stories of the albums
It’s official 2D sip wock
As a total noob to Gorillaz, especially the whole character thing, I have zero idea about that. But as a stand-alone track it seems like a pretty clear dig at homogenous groups in general but one right leaning one in particular.
Thank you so much for your service! My respect.
"One day, 2D orders a pizza"
My man has his priorities straight: he's the chosen one, he gets to eat pizza.
I was so confused because they release the videos backwards. And today on Instagram they just posted that they were going on the run because of the LAPD confiscating their passports or something so it could be a continuation or it could be the next phase.
I’m thinking it’s the next phase, the cult has disbanded and now they’re off to somewhere else. So new music soon?
When I watched the staurt podcast I was like “this isn’t that big” but now I understand and it’s so funny
The guy: talking about important stuff
The music at 5:19: no context needed
Maybe the story feels a bit unfinished because of the gorillaz movie that was supposed to be made got cancelled by netflix
5:34 Murdoch has unlocked the true potential of ZE BAFF!
Murdoch bottling his bath water is no doubt a reference to cult leader who actually did this (I think it was Jim Jones?). Well, I don't know if he actually bottled it and sold it but he did make his followers drink it.
My guess for skinney ape is right between Cracker Island and Silent Runnung telling the band that he is dying? Them saying Skinny Ape refers to himselve and Don't be sad for me is saying dont be sad that he is dying thats my guess and Baby Queen was for noodle i think.
the video was so good until u screamed in the end i almost had a fucking heart attack lmao
That was cool :) you dont happen to have videos of the other albums..? Thank you for putting this together ✌️🤘
Thank you! I’m working on them now! Finals are killing me but next week I’m gonna start on it full time!
Would love to watch more of these from all phases!!!
Before i watch this vid i just wanna say that silent running comes first as it shows 2d being in some kind of ritual but when he manages to get unstuck the police come and then it goes onto cracker island
So what was with them all going through that portal at the end of The Lost Chord?
They had to face the mess they left behind on the plastic beach to come together