Seven years ago I was ten years old; I was just starting fifth grade, and the last Gorillaz album was made before they went on a hiatus.

On April 28, Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, and their animated front, 2D, Murdoc, Russel, and Noodle, surprised not only me, but the world, by releasing Humanz.

The band had been created by Albarn and Hewlett to poke fun at MTV, but what they could have never imagined was how big the band would become due to their creative sounds and look.

Much like the previous four albums made by the duo, the wide range of diversity and meaning behind each song has captured the heart of not only me, but many other fans.

Unlike their previous work, this album features a wide variety of guests, such as Vince Staples, Benjamin Clementine,Kilo Kish, Grace Jones, and many more helped with the album, all came together to speak about issues close to their hearts.

This mix-and-match group made magic while instructed by Albarn to imagine a twisted alternative future: a scenario where Donald Trump becomes the president of the United States and nudges the planet toward war.

All the artist’s had strong feelings about him which came out in songs such as “Ascension” when Vince Staples sang “The sky’s fallin’ baby.”

While this was the inspiration, Albarn removed all mention of Trump by editing or bleeping out his name.

“I don’t want to give the most famous man in Earth more fame, particularly. He doesn’t need it!” Albarn said in an interview with Rolling Stone, but the notes of bruised hope and uncertainty in the future made their target clear.

Something unique about this album was how dark it was compared to others, and unlike “Feel Good Inc.,” “Plastic Beach,” or even “19-2000,” almost no songs on this album have been played on the radio.

The more serious tone of songs such as “We Got the Power” and “Busted and Blue” has built a bridge between the creators and audience with lyrics like “A shadow on the wall, an image made by Virgil to rule over us all”.

They’re songs that everyone can relate to and songs that helps the listener fall even more in love with the music they’re listening to.

“Music is something that should speak for itself, straight from the heart,” Albarn told Rolling Stone.

With all of the experimentation done and new interesting songs, Albarn and Hewlett once again show why their band is a staple for creativity in the modern age. The pair shows how a group of misfits can create something beautiful that connects to tons of people.

While the hiatus left fans craving more, after listening to the album and hearing the story behind it, I think the seven year wait was well worth it.