Gorillaz Join Forces with Idles On Explosive New Single ‘The God of Lying’
Gorillaz have joined forces with UK punk-rock saviours Idles to unleash ‘The God of Lying’, a swirling, dub-inflected anthem that sets the tone for their upcoming ninth studio album, The Mountain. With Joe Talbot’s gritty vocal delivery, Damon Albarn’s melodic fingerprints, and a sonic backdrop that spans London, Devon, and Mumbai, the track is both a challenge and an invitation — question the world, ride the rhythm, and prepare for what’s next.
‘The God of Lying’ marks the third single lifted from The Mountain, due out March 20, 2026 via Kong Records. It’s a darkly hypnotic cut, driven by dub rhythms, bansuri flute melodies, and industrial-tinged percussion. Talbot spits sharp-edged spoken-word verses — “Are you deafened by the headlines? / Or does your head not hear at all?” — while Albarn’s alter ego 2D floats through the chaos with his signature melancholic calm.
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The result is a track that sounds like a confrontation between two worlds: Gorillaz’s animated, genre-bending weirdness and Idles’ visceral punk energy. It’s uneasy, propulsive, and politically charged — exactly what you’d hope for from a meeting of these two forces.
Gorillaz have hinted that The Mountain will be their most ambitious project to date. The album reportedly features a broad international soundscape, recorded across multiple continents and weaving together languages including English, Hindi, and Spanish. Early singles have already showcased Albarn’s global curiosity, and ‘The God of Lying’ continues that thread with a deep, textured production that feels cinematic yet immediate.
Pairing Gorillaz’s genre-melting tendencies with Idles’ unapologetic punk ethos feels like the perfect storm. Idles’ frontman Joe Talbot brings an almost preacher-like presence to the track — channeling rage, exhaustion, and hope all at once — while Albarn balances it out with dreamy, detached cool.
It’s the kind of song that doesn’t just ask to be played loud; it needs to be.
With The Mountain on the horizon, this collaboration feels like a statement of intent from Gorillaz — that their next era isn’t about nostalgia, but reinvention. Expect more surprises as the release date draws near.
‘The God of Lying’ is out now on all major streaming platforms.
Pre order / pre save The Mountain HERE.
The Mountain Tour 2026:
Tour Tickets & Information: www.gorillaz.com
UK & Ireland Dates:
20 March – MANCHESTER, Co-op Live – NEW DATE DUE TO DEMAND!
21 March – MANCHESTER, Co-op Live
22 March – BIRMINGHAM, bp pulse LIVE
24 March – GLASGOW, OVO Hydro* – SOLD OUT!
25 March – LEEDS, First Direct Arena*
27 March – CARDIFF, Utilita Arena* – SOLD OUT!
28 March – NOTTINGHAM, Motorpoint Arena*
29 March – LIVERPOOL, M&S Bank Arena*
31 March – BELFAST, SSE Arena* – SOLD OUT!
01 April – DUBLIN, 3Arena* – SOLD OUT!
02 April – DUBLIN, 3Arena* – NEW DATE DUE TO DEMAND! SOLD OUT!
*support from Trueno
20 June – LONDON, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
With support from Sparks and Trueno
European Festival Dates:
6 June – SPAIN, Barcelona – Primavera Sound Barcelona
10 June – CZECH REPUBLIC, Hradec Králové – Rock For People
11-13 June – PORTUGAL, Porto – Primavera Sound Porto
14 June – NETHERLANDS, Hilvarenbeek – Best Kept Secret
23 June – CROATIA, Zagreb – INmusic Festival
25 June – GREECE, Athens – Release Athens x SNF Nostos 2026
27 June – ITALY, Lido di Camaiore – La Prima Estate Festival
2 July – DENMARK – Roskilde Festival
4 July – BELGIUM, Rock Werchter
9 July – SLOVAKIA, Trencin – Pohoda Festival
14 July – TURKEY, Istanbul – Pozitif Vibrations* – NEW DATE DUE TO DEMAND!
16 July – TURKEY, Istanbul – Pozitif Vibrations
18 July – BULGARIA, Plovdiv – PhillGood Festival
25 July – ITALY, Trieste – Piazza Unita’ d’Italia
13 August – POLAND, Poznan – BitterSweet Festival
15 August – SWEDEN, Gothenburg – Way Out West
