Charger (song)

Last updated

"Charger"
Song by Gorillaz featuring Grace Jones
from the album Humanz
B-side "Charger (Alternative Version)"
Released28 April 2017
Genre
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Audio
"Charger" on YouTube

"Charger" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, released on their fifth studio album Humanz . It features guest vocals by Grace Jones, [6] who accompanies lead singer Damon Albarn throughout the track.

Contents

Composition and recording

Origins

One of Damon Albarn's goals during the production of Humanz was to represent female artists more thoroughly. Speaking in an interview, Albarn listed Bobby Womack, Ike Turner, and Ibrahim Ferrer as examples of musical "patriarchs" who he'd already collaborated with; Albarn desired to collaborate with "matriarchs" as well, believing it necessary for an album titled "Humanz". [7]

According to Albarn, he and Jones had met several times before recording "Charger" together: "I'd met her once in her nightclub, where I made the mistake of saying she looked like Little Red Riding Hood because she was wearing a red cape. She turned around and said 'Little Black Riding Hood,' and turned back. I didn't speak to her again." [8] Despite the misstep in introductions, Jones later attended a performance of Albarn's Monkey: Journey to the West , admitting to Albarn that she enjoyed it. [8] Jones and Albarn were acquainted through mutual management affiliates, though Albarn emphasized that it didn't make the process of collaborating with her any easier. [8]

Recording

Scheduling proved difficult from the onset, with Albarn claiming that it took about four months to secure a recording day with Jones. [7] During this period, Albarn continued work on "Charger"; by the time Jones was available to record, Albarn had already constructed an instrumental onto which an unnamed vocalist sang over, presumed to be Pauline Black, as she is featured on the Super Deluxe version of the song. [9] [10]

Once Jones and Albarn had gathered in the studio, Albarn played the song to her. Jones was initially ambivalent, complaining about a "noise." Albarn repeatedly questioned Jones on what the noise might be, eventually coming to his conclusion that Jones wasn't satisfied with the other vocalist's singing. [9] After Albarn removed the unnamed singer's vocals from "Charger," Jones was prepared to begin recording. Commenting on the moment, Albarn said: "She wouldn't say it was this other person's voice. Once the voice had been taken off, the track was ready to work on. Some people don't necessarily want to be on the same tune with somebody else." [9]

Jones' recording session was prolonged and frenetic, lasting four hours. [11] Jones ad-libbed much of the session, [11] and with such intensity that Albarn was taken aback: "It's slightly supernatural, her energy. Not entirely of this world." [8] Some time after the recording session, Albarn covered the studio floor with pieces of paper with Jones' lyrics printed on them, crafting the lyrics to "Charger" from whichever fragments he felt were suitable. [11] Album recording engineer Stephen Sedgwick’s final mix session of "Charger" contains 90 separate tracks. [12]

Critical reception

"Charger" has received generally positive reviews: both Q Magazine and Consequence of Sound listed it as one of Humanz' highlight tracks, with the latter commenting: "Sure, Grace Jones' insidious laughter on 'Charger' while industrial beats scratch behind her may seem out of place, but it's one of Gorillaz's best songs to date, pushing the dance playlist setup of the album into a decidedly disordered flash of color and sound." [13] [14] Some critics took pleasure in the dichotomy between Albarn and Jones' vocals, with NME characterizing "Charger" as a track "where Grace Jones bares some sphinx-like teeth over a distorted two-note line [...] while Albarn's bewildered vocals splutter out in flouncy dribs and drabs. So strange, it's fantastic." [15]

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorillaz</span> English virtual band

Gorillaz are an English virtual band formed in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, from London. The band primarily consists of four fictional members: 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs (drums). Their universe is presented in media such as music videos, interviews, comic strips and short cartoons. Gorillaz' music has featured collaborations with a wide range of featured artists, with Albarn as the only permanent musical contributor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Albarn</span> British musician (born 1968)

Damon Albarn is an English-Icelandic musician, singer-songwriter and composer, best known as the frontman and primary lyricist of the rock band Blur and later the co-creator and primary musical contributor of the virtual band Gorillaz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-D (character)</span> Fictional English vocalist for the virtual band Gorillaz

Stuart Harold "2-D" Pot is a fictional English singer, musician and member of the British virtual band Gorillaz. He provides the lead vocals and plays the keyboard for the band. 2-D's singing voice is provided by Blur frontman Damon Albarn on Gorillaz' recordings and performances; his speaking voice was provided by actor Nelson De Freitas in various Gorillaz direct-to-video projects such as Phase One: Celebrity Take Down and Phase Two: Slowboat to Hades. In 2017, Kevin Bishop was cast as the new speaking voice of 2-D. He was created by Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russel Hobbs</span> Fictional American drummer for the virtual band Gorillaz

Russel Hobbs is a fictional American musician and member of the British virtual band Gorillaz. He provides the drums and percussion for the band. Like all the other Gorillaz band members, he was created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in 1998 and made his first official appearance in Gorillaz' debut EP Tomorrow Comes Today in 2000. Russel's spoken voice is supplied by Remi Kabaka Jr., who joined Gorillaz in an official capacity on actual percussion in 2016.

"Empire Ants" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, released on their third studio album Plastic Beach. It features guest vocals and instrumentation from Yukimi Nagano, the vocalist of the trip hop band Little Dragon.

<i>The Fall</i> (Gorillaz album) 2010 studio album by Gorillaz

The Fall is the fourth studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz. It was announced on 20 December 2010 and released as a download for members of the Gorillaz fan club on 25 December 2010. This was followed by a wider physical release of the album on 19 April 2011.

"Phoner to Arizona" is the opening track from Gorillaz's iPad recorded album The Fall. The song is an instrumental that was recorded entirely on Gorillaz co-founder Damon Albarn's Apple iPad during the American leg of the Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour in October 2010. The "Phoner to Arizona" video—a compilation of footage and images taken from the tour and the phase—was posted on YouTube on 22 December as a way to promote the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolving Doors (song)</span> 2011 single by Gorillaz

"Revolving Doors" is a double A-side single with "Amarillo" released by British virtual band Gorillaz from their fourth studio project, The Fall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andromeda (Gorillaz song)</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz featuring DRAM

"Andromeda" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, featuring American rapper DRAM, the song was released on 23 March 2017. It was released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album Humanz. It was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ascension (Gorillaz song)</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz featuring Vince Staples

"Ascension" is a song by British alternative rock virtual band Gorillaz, featuring Vince Staples. The song was released on 23 March 2017. It was released as the third single from their fifth studio album Humanz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Out (song)</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz featuring Pusha T and Mavis Staples

"Let Me Out" is a song by British alternative rock virtual band Gorillaz, featuring Pusha T and Mavis Staples. The song was released on 6 April 2017. It was released as the fifth single from their fifth studio album Humanz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saturnz Barz</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz featuring Popcaan

"Saturnz Barz" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan. The song was released on 23 March 2017. It was released as the lead single from their fifth studio album Humanz. The song marks the group's comeback since 2012's "DoYaThing", although 2017 had seen the non-single release of the song "Hallelujah Money" which features English singer Benjamin Clementine. "Saturnz Barz" was produced by frontman Damon Albarn, Remi Kabaka Jr. and producer The Twilite Tone, and marks the group's first collaboration with Popcaan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strobelite</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz featuring Peven Everett

"Strobelite" is a single by British virtual band Gorillaz, released on their fifth studio album Humanz. It features guest vocals by Peven Everett. The single was released on 4 August 2017, with an accompanying music video released three days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Got the Power (Gorillaz song)</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz featuring Jehnny Beth

"We Got the Power" is a song by British alternative rock virtual band Gorillaz, featuring Jehnny Beth of British post-punk band Savages and backing vocals from former Oasis guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher and American rapper D.R.A.M., who also appears on the group's single "Andromeda". The song was released on 23 March 2017. It was released as the second single from their fifth studio album Humanz.

<i>Humanz</i> 2017 studio album by Gorillaz

Humanz is the fifth studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz. It was released on 28 April 2017 in the United Kingdom by Parlophone and in the United States by Warner Bros. Records. The album was announced on the band's official Instagram page on 23 March 2017. According to a press release, it was recorded in London, Paris, New York City, Chicago, and Jamaica, and was produced by The Twilite Tone and Remi Kabaka Jr. It was the band's first studio album since 2010's The Fall, and features collaborations with Jehnny Beth, Grace Jones, Kali Uchis, Vince Staples, Popcaan, D.R.A.M., Anthony Hamilton, De La Soul, Danny Brown, Kelela, Mavis Staples, Pusha T, and Benjamin Clementine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humanz Tour</span> 2017–2018 concert tour by Gorillaz

The Humanz Tour was a concert tour by the British alternative rock virtual band Gorillaz, in support of their fifth studio album Humanz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Powder</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz

"Sleeping Powder" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz. The song and its accompanying music video were released on 8 June 2017 via YouTube, with a live debut occurring that same day. It was later released for streaming via Spotify and iTunes on 16 June 2017.

<i>The Now Now</i> 2018 studio album by Gorillaz

The Now Now is the sixth studio album recorded by the British virtual band Gorillaz, released on 29 June 2018 via Parlophone and Warner Bros. Records. Recording for the album began in late 2017 – according to Gorillaz co-creator Damon Albarn, it was recorded quickly so the band would have new material to play at future concerts.

"Hollywood" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz featuring American rapper Snoop Dogg and American house musician Jamie Principle. It was officially released on 21 June 2018, as the fifth single from their sixth studio album, The Now Now.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Far?</span> 2020 single by Gorillaz featuring Tony Allen and Skepta

"How Far?" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, featuring Tony Allen and Skepta. The track was released on 2 May 2020 without any prior announcement as the fourth single for Gorillaz' seventh studio album, Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez. It is part of the Song Machine project, a web series involving the ongoing release of various Gorillaz singles and music videos featuring different guest musicians over the course of 2020, though it is not considered an official episode of the series. The single marks the first posthumously released material featuring Tony Allen, as well as the final song to be recorded during Allen's lifetime.

References

  1. ↑ White, Chris (27 April 2017). "Gorillaz – Humanz : Album Reviews". musicOMH . Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "Reviewed: Gorillaz; Richie Kotzen; Rodney Crowell; Bargou 08". The Australian. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  3. ↑ Winkler, Jon (6 May 2017). "Album Review: Gorillaz – "Humanz"". The Young Folks. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  4. ↑ Wehner, Cyclone (26 April 2017). "Gorillaz – 'Humanz'". MusicFeeds. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Paste Review of the Day: Gorillaz - Humanz :: Music :: Features :: Gorillaz :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Young, Alex (23 March 2017). "Gorillaz to release new album, Humanz, on April 28th". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  7. 1 2 Greenblatt, Leah (26 April 2017). "Gorillaz almost broke up in 2012 — here's why they didn't". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Damon Albarn of GORILLAZ on collaborating with Grace Jones". SiriusXM Feedback. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017– via Soundcloud.
  9. 1 2 3 "Damon Albarn Talks Gorillaz's Star-Studded New LP, Blur's Future". Rolling Stone. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Humanz". 10 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2019– via Amazon.
  11. 1 2 3 "Dancing At The End Of The World". Stereogum. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "Inside Track: Gorillaz 'Charger'". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  13. ↑ Doherty, Niall (June 2017). "LOONEY TUNES: Virtual Band's Frenzied Fifth Revels in the Chaos". Q Magazine . United Kingdom: Bauer Media Group.
  14. ↑ "Gorillaz – Humanz". Consequence of Sound. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  15. ↑ "Gorillaz – 'Humanz' Review". NME. April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.