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"Cracker Island"
Single by Gorillaz featuring Thundercat
from the album Cracker Island
Released	22 June 2022 (2022-06-22)
Genre	Funk synth-pop disco
Length	3:33
Label	Parlophone Warner
Songwriter(s)	Damon Albarn Stephen Lee Bruner Greg Kurstin
Producer(s)	Kurstin Gorillaz Remi Kabaka Jr.
Gorillaz singles chronology
"The Valley of the Pagans" (2020) "Cracker Island" (2022) "New Gold" (2022)
Thundercat singles chronology
"Fair Chance" (2020) "Cracker Island" (2022) "After Last Night" (2022)
Music video
"Cracker Island" on YouTube

"Cracker Island" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, featuring American bassist, singer and songwriter Thundercat. The track was released on 22 June 2022 as the first single from their eighth studio album, Cracker Island. "Cracker Island" peaked at number two on the US Billboard alternative airplay chart, making it their highest charting song since "Feel Good Inc."

Background

Damon Albarn stated that the song is about the idea that "people have kind of some mad ideas can all kind of live together happily in their own kind of echo chamber". "Cracker Island" was one of the five new songs that were performed live during their 2022 World Tour, before their official release, with the other songs being "Silent Running," "New Gold," "Skinny Ape," and "Possession Island".

Music video

The animated music video, directed by Jamie Hewlett and Fx Goby, features the fictional bandmembers 2-D, Russel, and Noodle at the Los Angeles County Hospital on a rainy night. 2-D and Noodle are being questioned by the police while 2-D is seemingly hallucinating visions of Thundercat. In the middle of a dimly lit hallway, a white bed sheet with two eyeholes inexplicably rises. The sheet hovers as it slowly moves towards the main lobby. As it moves, an unknown slimy liquid can be seen left in its tracks. Meanwhile, a seemingly catatonic Russel stares at a TV, which is shown with a breaking news report regarding a "major incident below the Hollywood Sign," stating that the police "intervene to stop occult ceremony". Russel suddenly snaps out of his mesmerized state with a pink tint in his eyes and moves towards the others in the lobby. Just then, Murdoc arrives at the hospital in an occult robe and with a sinister smile. The other people in the lobby watch as the bed sheet ghost finally makes its way to the lobby and slowly towards Murdoc, who holds his hands out ready for an embrace. The sheet is removed to reveal a young lady underneath, who quickly ages into an elderly woman. Murdoc places his hand on her cheek endearingly before moving in for a kiss while the other people watch in shock and confusion.

Personnel

Gorillaz

• Damon Albarn – vocals, synthesisers
• Jamie Hewlett – artwork, character design, video direction

Additional musicians and personnel

• Thundercat – vocals, bass
• Greg Kurstin – synthesisers, drums, keyboards, percussion, engineering
• Samuel Egglenton – engineering
• Julian Burg – engineering
• Matt Tuggle – engineering
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
• Matt Wolach – mixing assistance
• Randy Merrill – mastering

Charts

References

1. Leas, Ryan (22 June 2022). "Gorillaz – "Cracker Island" (Feat. Thundercat)". StereoGum. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
2. Attard, Paul (22 February 2023). "Gorillaz 'Cracker Island' Review: The Misfit Toys Misfire". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
3. "Gorillaz: Cracker Island — where's the colour and bounce?". Financial Times. 24 February 2023. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
4. "Gorillaz Premieres New Song 'Cracker Island' featuring Thundercat on BBC Radio 1". PM Studio. 23 June 2022. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
5. Ali Shutler (1 May 2022). "Watch Gorillaz perform new Thundercat collab as they kick off 2022 world tour". NME. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
6. "Gorillaz Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
7. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Gorillaz". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
8. "Gorillaz Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
9. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 3 July 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
11. "Gorillaz Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
12. "Gorillaz Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
13. "Gorillaz Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

• 2022 songs
• 2022 singles
• Gorillaz songs
• Songs written by Damon Albarn
• Songs written by Thundercat (musician)
• Songs written by Greg Kurstin
• Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin
• Parlophone singles
• Warner Records singles
• British funk songs
• British synth-pop songs
• British disco songs