Song Machine: Désolé
Up next on the song machine docket is the song “Désolé.” This is the second song to be released for Damon Albarns new project. This installment features Malian actress and singer-songwriter, Fatoumata Diawara.
“Désolé” was filmed In Italy, on Lake Como. The video shows the Gorillaz characters joining Albarn and Diawara for a scenic boat ride on the Lake.
This is just a quick aside, but it sure is weird seeing people out in public right before this whole pandemic. I’m glad that it hasn’t effected the Song Machine schedule however.
This song is an instrument heavy, vocally repetitive piece. The song starts off mellow with a solid bass, guitar, and drum trio along with some staple Gorillaz accouterments to fill in the background.
The sound of this song compared to their last installment “Momentary Bliss,” is almost contradictory. “Momentary Bliss” started off the Song Machine with a bang and “Désolé” is here to bring us back down to prepare for whats to come.
“Désolé” fits very well with the setting of the music video. It’s very tranquil and beautiful. All of the sounds are engineered very well here to give us a clean and smooth experience.
Again, this is like going back in time for the Gorillaz. This reminds me of the album “Plastic Beach” with songs like “Empire Ants,” or “Cloud of Unknowing.”
Albarn has most certainly mastered his craft. He knows how to adapt to whichever artist he brings in, and working with Diawara is no exception.
Diawara’s contribution to this song isn’t a whole lot, but you sure do remember it. Her vocals mix with the instruments at one point, and at another she belts out an almost solo like complimentary number.
This is a great background song to me. It’s something to listen to with your friends and just hear the beat and instruments meld with whatever you’re doing.
Diving back into the ever so unpredictable lore of the Gorillaz, we can see a lot going on in this video.
At first glance, you may not spot much. We start out in the new Kong Studios for only one short frame. Then all of a sudden we are in Italy on Lake Como. We are slowly reintroduced to Murdoc, 2-D, Russel, and Noodle while Albarn and Diawara take a boat ride.
That’s pretty much all there is to the video, until you start paying closer attention to the background.
Over the hills and mountains that surround Lake Como, we can see a multitude of giant, silhouetted, out of focus monsters. What these are and what they mean is beyond me for now. However, knowing the Gorillaz, I’m sure we will get more information in the future.
I am very impressed with this entry to the song machine and I can’t wait to hear more. Everything from the soft catchy melody to the intriguing art by Jamie Hewlett, I want to see and hear more.
Again, here is the link so you can give it a listen.
