Gorillaz is a creation of musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. They’re a virtual band made up four animated characters. The songs are written by Damon Albarn and a roster of collaborators. Since the first album was released in 2001, Gorillaz have sold over 16 million records worldwide. In this episode, Damon breaks down the song “Andromeda” from the 2017 Gorillaz album Humanz. The song features guest vocals by D.R.A.M., a rapper and singer whose own hit single, “Broccoli,” went quadruple platinum in 2016. D.R.A.M. tells the story of how he got involved with this track, and Damon shares an exclusive clip of a scrapped version of the song with D.R.A.M. on lead vocals.

You can buy “Andromeda” and order the Gorillaz album Humanz on iTunes.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Twilite Tone (producer)
Michael Jackson – Billy Jean
Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go for That
Bobby Womack

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Since her debut in 2002, Norah Jones has sold over 50 million albums and won 8 Grammys. In 2016, she released Day Breaks, her sixth album. In this episode, she takes apart the title track and details how the pieces unexpectedly came together. you’ll hear her original demo for the song, and how it was transformed in the studio, including a session with jazz saxophone legend Wayne Shorter. Plus, a few thoughts from Norah’s co-producer and longtime collaborator Sarah Oda.

Listen to “Day Breaks” on Apple Music or Spotify.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

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David Longstreth started making music under the name Dirty Projectors in 2002. Since then, he’s released seven albums and collaborated with Björk, Solange, and Kanye West, Paul McCartney, and Rihanna. Dirty Projectors went from a solo project to a full-band, performing on TV, and at Carnegie Hall. Dave and one of his bandmates were in a relationship for years, but then that relationship—and the band—broke up. In February 2017, with Dirty Projectors as solo project once again, Dave released a self-titled album, a breakup album by all accounts. In this episode, Dave breaks down the song “Up in Hudson” and the winding road he went down to create it.

Listen to “Up In Hudson” on Apple Music or Spotify.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
Tyondai Braxton – Scout1
Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is the Move
Kanye West – Blood On the Leaves
Miles Davis & Gil Evans – Oh Bess, Oh Where’s My Bess?

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