In a move that confirms Gorillaz‘ global ambition and cultural openness, the virtual band has released two new companion singles– ‘Orange County’ and ‘The Hardest Thing’ –as part of the forthcoming album The Mountain, due February 27, 2026.
What makes Orange County a particular highlight is the presence of Argentine producer Bizarrap, who shares production and writing credits with Damon Albarn and singer Kara Jackson. Bizarrap brings a fresh approach to the Gorillaz sound, fusing his urban, electronic style with elements of alternative pop and global textures.
Bizarrap as a cultural bridge at The Mountain
Bizarrap’s participation is not simply an appearance: it is presented as a central collaboration within the project, conceived organically and creatively alongside Albarn. The Argentinean co-wrote Orange County with Albarn and Jackson, which places the South American producer as one of the key creative nodes within the broad collaborative tapestry that characterizes this ninth Gorillaz album.
A local media highlighted that Orange County has the “shared production” of Gorillaz and Bizarrap, which underlines the active participation of the Argentinean in the sound construction of the song, something that surprised and interested fans of multiple music scenes.
A mix of global styles
Orange County brings together the producer known for his collaborations with urban and pop artists with the iconic British band, along with American Kara Jackson and sitarist Anoushka Shankar, creating a piece that transcends stylistic and geographical boundaries.
The song appears alongside ‘The Hardest Thing’, which opens with the vocals of legendary drummer Tony Allen, who passed away in 2020, and explores themes of loss and memory, while Orange County offers a more hopeful and expansive counterpoint, reflecting The Mountain’s emotional balance.
The album as a map of collaborations
The Mountain has already been heralded as one of Gorillaz’ most collaborative and diverse works. Its tracklist features names ranging from the visceral punk of IDLES to the poetry of Kara Jackson to global clubs like Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey, along with guests like Black Thought, Johnny Marr and Sparks.
According to various news reports on The Mountain, Bizarrap is listed among the album’s producers alongside Damon Albarn, Remi Kabaka Jr, James Ford and Samuel Egglenton, highlighting his involvement in the album’s sonic architecture beyond a simple feature.
What does this collaboration mean for Bizarrap?
For Bizarrap, Orange County represents a symbol of international expansion and a recognition of his ability to operate outside the urban Spanish-speaking territory where he consolidated his position. Its influence in global music comes from collaborations with figures such as J Balvin or Daddy Yankee, and its incursion with Gorillaz shows a frank opening of its language to even more eclectic creative spaces.
This participation is also a bridge between the Latin scene and one of the most influential bands in contemporary alternative pop, marking a symbolic prelude to how musical boundaries continue to blur in the global landscape.
Musical context: beyond a single
Orange County is part of a broader narrative that Gorillaz has been building with The Mountain: a concept album recorded in multiple languages and locations, exploring themes of existence, culture and grief. It was preluded by other previews such as ‘The Happy Dictator’ (with Sparks), ‘The Manifesto’ (with Trueno and Proof) or ‘Damascus’ (with Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey), demonstrating the ambition of their multicultural approach.
Conclusion: a global sound dialogue
Gorillaz’ collaboration with Bizarrap on Orange County is not a simple crossing of names, but a meeting of musical worlds. Through this track, Gorillaz expand their creative palette and Bizarrap transcend their own production territory to insert themselves into an artistic narrative that celebrates diversity, collaboration and the constant search for new sonic languages.
Orange County is, thus, a reflection of a moment in which global music dialogues, mixes and transforms without ties.
