Image credit: S.L.R. Magazine
In a collaboration that few saw coming, Argentine mega-producer Bizarrap has joined forces with the world’s most famous virtual band, Gorillaz. Their new single, “Orange County,” dropped on January 15, 2026, marking Bizarrap’s first release of the year and his official debut alongside Damon Albarn’s legendary crew. The track isn’t just a meeting of musical minds; it’s a global cultural event that bridges the gap between Latin urban beats and British alternative experimentalism.
A Masterclass in Global Fusion
“Orange County” is far from a standard radio edit. The track features an eclectic mix of talent, including U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate Kara Jackson and 14-time Grammy-nominated sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar. Produced by Bizarrap and Gorillaz, the song seamlessly blends intricate sitar melodies with sharp, modern production.
The release is paired with a companion track, “The Hardest Thing,” which features the haunting, posthumous percussion of the late Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen. Together, the two tracks offer an eight-minute journey through grief, hope, and the “space between notes,” serving as a perfect teaser for what’s to come on Gorillaz’s upcoming ninth studio album.
Scaling “The Mountain”
This single is the centerpiece of the new Gorillaz album, The Mountain, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. Released under the band’s new label, KONG, the album is described as a “party at the border between this world and the next.” It is a massive undertaking featuring artists singing in five different languages—Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba—and boasting a guest list that includes Paul Simonon, Beck, and Argentine rapper Trueno.
Beyond the Music: The House of Kong
To celebrate the launch, Gorillaz is taking the experience beyond the headphones. Fans in Los Angeles can visit “House of Kong,” an immersive exhibition running from February 26 to March 22. This follows the band’s massive “The Mountain Tour,” which includes a headline show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium—their largest UK performance to date. For Bizarrap, this collaboration solidifies his status as a global innovator, moving from his viral “Sessions” to the pinnacle of international alternative rock.
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