Staccato, percussive rhythms dominate electro, with beats often provided by the Roland TR-808 drum machine. The TR-808, created in 1980, has an immediately recognizable sound, and remains popular in electro and other genres to the present day. Other electro instrumentation is generally all-electronic, favoring analog synthesis, funk-style bass lines, sequenced or arpeggiated synthetic riffs, and atonal sound effects all created with synthesizers. Heavy use of effects such as reverbs, delays, chorus or phasers along with synthetic ensemble strings or pad sounds emphasize the common science fiction or futuristic theme of the lyrics and/or music. Most electro is instrumental, but a common element is vocals processed through a vocoder. Additionally, speech synthesis may be used to create robotic or mechanical lyrical content. Some earlier electro features rapping, but that lyrical style has become less popular in the genre from the 1990s onward. Following the decline of disco music in the late 1970s, various electro-funk artists such as Zapp & Roger began experimenting with talk boxes and the use of heavier, more distinctive beats. This style held little resemblance to that of Kraftwerk.
In 1982, Bronx based producer Afrika Bambaataa released the seminal track "Planet Rock", which contained elements of Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express and "Numbers" (from Kraftwerk's Computer World album).[1] "Planet Rock" is widely regarded as a turning point in the electro genre.[6]
In 1983, Hashim created the influential electro funk tune "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" which became Cutting Record's first release in November 1983[7]. At the time Hashim was influenced by Man Parrish's "Hip Hop, Be Bop", Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science" and Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" [8]. Also in 1983, Herbie Hancock, in collaboration with Grand Mixer DXT, released the hit single "Rockit".
Bambaataa and groups like Planet Patrol, Jonzun Crew, Mantronix, Newcleus and Juan Atkins' Detroit-based group Cybotron went on to influence the genres of Detroit techno, ghettotech, breakbeat, drum and bass and electroclash. Early producers in the electro genre (notably Arthur Baker,[9] John Robie and Shep Pettibone) featured prominently in the Latin Freestyle (or simply "Freestyle") movement. By the late 1980s, the genre had parted from its initial funk influences. Baker and Pettibone enjoyed robust careers well into the house era, and both eluded the "genre trap" to successfully produce mainstream artists
Cracker Island
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the collective of the dawn
They were planting seeds at night
To grow a made-up paradise
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
In the end, I had to pay (I purged my soul)
In the end I had to pay (I drank to riot)
Nothing more to say (I drank to riot)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasies)
What world is this?
What world is this?
On Cracker Island it was raised (hey, hey, hey, hey)
By the collective from the grave (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It only came out at night (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It ate up their paradise (paradise)
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
Out there on my silver lake (I was not there)
In the end, it will be great (beneath the hills)
I'm like a ship between the tide (I saw myself)
I held on, I survived (there in the void)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasy)
(Ooh, ooh)
On Cracker Island it will die (forever cult)
Join the collective in the sky (forever cult)
And on a shining bolt of light (forever cult)
Go up to paradise (what world is this?)
Where the truth is auto-tuned (I purged my soul)
And it's sadness I consume (I drank to riot)
Into my formats every day (I drank to riot)
In the end I had to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll have to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll be okay (forever cult)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
The song "Cracker Island" by Gorillaz and Thundercat tells the story of a group of people who create a made-up paradise on an island called Cracker Island. They plant seeds at night to grow this paradise, where the truth is auto-tuned and sadness is consumed. However, the singer of the song realizes that this paradise is a cult and experiences the consequences of being a part of it. The truth is distorted, and he ends up paying a heavy price for being a member of this cult.
The chorus of the song, "What world is this?" emphasizes the theme of a distorted reality. The people on Cracker Island have created their own world, but it is not grounded in reality. The repetition of "Forever cult" adds to the ominous tone of the song and highlights the destructive nature of the cult. Overall, the lyrics of "Cracker Island" explore themes of manipulation, disillusionment, and the search for truth.
Line by Line Meaning
On Cracker Island it was born
The beginning of the cult originated on Cracker Island.
To the collective of the dawn
The cult was created by a group of people who shared a common interest in the occult.
They were planting seeds at night
The cult members worked secretly during the night to grow their cult.
To grow a made-up paradise
The goal of the cult was to create a fantasy world or paradise.
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
The cult members manipulated reality to fit their beliefs, living in a world where everything was perfect for them, even if it wasn’t true.
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
The singer of the song experienced the sadness of the cult, whether willingly or not.
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
The cult practices and beliefs were integrated into the singer's daily routine.
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
The artist realized the high cost of being conforming to the cult beliefs.
In the end, I had to pay (I purged my soul)
The artist had to let go of the cult's beliefs and start anew.
In the end I had to pay (I drank to riot)
The artist resorted to rebellious behavior, like alcohol consumption, to break free from the cult.
Nothing more to say (I drank to riot)
There is nothing else to say about the singer's experience with the cult; it is over, and they have moved on.
They taught themselves to be occult
The cult members learned about the occult by themselves.
They didn't know its many strategies
The cult members did not have complete knowledge of the occult practices they followed.
They taught themselves to be occult
The cult members immersed themselves in the occult.
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasies)
The cult members were unaware that the practices they followed were merely fantasies.
What world is this?
The artist questions their reality and the beliefs they once held.
On Cracker Island it was raised (hey, hey, hey, hey)
The cult was nurtured and grew on Cracker Island.
By the collective from the grave (hey, hey, hey, hey)
The cult was started by the now-deceased members of the collective.
It only came out at night (hey, hey, hey, hey)
The cult members operated underground, during the night.
It ate up their paradise (paradise)
The cult consumed the paradise they thought they were building.
Out there on my silver lake (I was not there)
The artist's mind is somewhere else
In the end, it will be great (beneath the hills)
The artist is hopeful for a brighter future and a new beginning in a different setting.
I'm like a ship between the tide (I saw myself)
The singer feels like they are stuck, drifting back and forth between opposing sides or beliefs.
I held on, I survived (there in the void)
The artist managed to hold on and survive despite their struggles with the cult and sense of drifting.
On Cracker Island it will die (forever cult)
The cult will eventually disintegrate or lose influence, just as it was born on Cracker Island.
Join the collective in the sky (forever cult)
The end of the cult represents an opportunity for its members to move on to something different, better, and more eternal than a cult.
And on a shining bolt of light (forever cult)
The shining bolt of light represents the hope for a new beginning and enlightenment outside of the cult's reach.
Go up to paradise (what world is this?)
The cult believed they were heading towards paradise, but instead, they were living in a delusional world.
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
There is nothing else the artist needs to share, they have moved on from the cult.
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
The same as above.
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
The same as above.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: David Albarn, Greg Kurstin, Stephen Bruner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Yensehn
Noodle in background:
- Denying involvement.
- Arguing with police.
- Intentionally being difficult.
- Refusing to talk.
- Collaborating 2Ds statement.
- Demanding a phone call (probably realizing 2D didn't accomplish much in his current state).
- Listing off things on the phone call. Likely lawyer or fixer.
Actually, probably, being the only one present helping their current status.
@Hihseu
The lyrics:
On Cracker Island it was born
To the collective of the dawn
They were planting seeds at night
To grow a made-up paradise
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
In the end, I had to pay (I purged my soul)
In the end I had to pay (I drank to riot)
Nothing more to say (I drank to riot)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasies)
What world is this?
What world is this?
On Cracker Island it was raised (hey, hey, hey, hey)
By the collective from the grave (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It only came out at night (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It ate up their paradise (paradise)
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
Out there on my silver lake (I was not there)
In the end, it will be great (beneath the hills)
I'm like a ship between the tide (I saw myself)
I held on, I survived (there in the void)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasy)
(Ooh, ooh)
On Cracker Island it will die (forever cult)
Join the collective in the sky (forever cult)
And on a shining bolt of light (forever cult)
Go up to paradise (what world is this?)
Where the truth is auto-tuned (I purged my soul)
And it's sadness I consume (I drank to riot)
Into my formats every day (I drank to riot)
In the end I had to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll have to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll be okay (forever cult)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
@NoogusBoogus
On Cracker Island, it was born
To the collective of the dawn
They were planting seeds at night
To grow a made-up paradise
Where the truth was auto-tuned (Forever cult)
And its sadness, I consumed (Forever cult)
Into my formats everyday (Forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (What world is this?)
In the end, I had to pay (I purged my soul)
In the end, I had to pay (I drank to riot)
Nothing more to say (I drank to riot)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themsеlves to be occult
They didn't know its many stratеgies (Fantasies)
What world is this?
What world is this?
On Cracker Island, it was raised (Hey, hey, hey, hey)
By the collective from the grave (Hey, hey, hey, hey)
It only came out at night (Hey, hey, hey, hey)
It ate up their paradise (Paradise)
Where the truth was auto-tuned (Forever Cult)
And its sadness, I consumed (Forever Cult)
Into my formats everyday (Forever Cult)
In the end, I had to pay (What world is this?)
Out there on my silver lake (I was not there)
In the end, it will be great (Beneath the hills)
I'm like a ship between the tides (I saw myself)
I held on, I survived (There in the void)
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They taught themselves to be occult (Cult, cult)
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult (Cult, cult)
They didn't know its many strategies (Fantasy)
On Cracker Island, it will die (Forever Cult)
Join the collective in the sky (Forever Cult)
And on a shining boat of light (Forever Cult)
Go up to paradise (What world is this?)
Where the truth is auto-tuned (I purged my soul)
And its sadness, I consumed (I drank to riot)
Into my formats everyday (I drank to riot)
In the end, I had to pay (Forever Cult)
In the end, I'll have to pay (Forever Cult)
In the end, I'll be okay (Forever Cult)
Nothing more to say
(Say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (Say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (Say, say, say, say)
@BassBanj0
@@orinblank2056 i can't see why you wouldn't be
Pretty much everything they have put out is incredible
Humanz has some incredible tracks on it,
The Now Now does too and has two of my favourite tracks in it,
Song Machine was extremely exciting and nearly every track is amazing
Aswell as the singles like this and the three songs under Meanwhile
They just been getting better and better, constantly evolving, doing exactly what Gorillaz does best, experimenting and creating unique sounds
@glferris716
@Jera Always happy to share Gorillaz lore!
Moon Flower is a new character in the current phase, Phase 7. She's their next door neighbor in their new (temporary) home in California, as explained by 2D in his podcast, The Stuart Potcast lol
Murdoc made eye contact with her once over the fence, and immediately had the hots for her. So much so, that 90% of the reason for his forming a cult in the first place was out of a misguided attempt to get her attention. Moon Flower happens to be the leader of her own cult, the Forever Cult, so naturally, Murdoc decided the best way for her to fall madly in love with him was to create a competing cult to impress her--hence their name, the Last Cult!
Prior to the events of this music video, Moon Flower doesn't take much of interest in Murdoc at all, beyond mild annoyance at his constant spying on her and one-upmanship (much to his disappointment). It would seem she DOES take an interest in 2D however, as he's frequently invited over. This interest is very blatantly an indoctrination attempt, though, but Murdoc is incredibly bitter over it all the same. Lmfao
Interestingly, Moon Flower appears to be able to conceal her real age to those around her--or at least, in Murdoc and 2D's case, anyway. According to a YouTube short from Murdoc, he had absolutely no idea he was kissing an older woman at all, and instead only saw her the way she initially looked when removed her hood. For what reason she's started paying attention to Murdoc, or would even want to keep up this illusion with him, is still unknown. Very weird.
Sorry for the rant, but I hope this was helpful! Currently, most of the story for Phase 7 is unfolding through the official Instagram, Discord, Youtube shorts, and 2D's podcast. The last one is especially useful for bits of information about Moon Flower, since 2D hangs out with her so often heh
@Lulu-qx1df
During the countdown for the premiere, there was a message. For those who weren’t there for it, I think it’s important that you hear it.
When a demonic sinkhole opened up beneath king studios, Gorillaz were forced to relocate while the London Sewage Department fixed the problem. After spotting a suspiciously cheap mansion rental in the hills of Silver Lake, LA, the band moved in, set up a studio in the basement.
One day, Murdoc had a strange and beautiful vision, and decided that Gorillaz we’re going to start a cult. The others weren’t keen, but they went along with it anyway, hoping to use the cult as a force for good.
It all started pretty well.
And then…
While we don't know exactly what's going to happen,
thanks to a very complex time-loop anomaly too scientific to explain here,
we are able to look into the future and see how it all ends.
Yep, this story begins at the end. What you are about to see HAS NOT HAPPENED YET.
To be honest, it's not even the end, it's the bit after the end,
the last scene after the big finale when the credits start to roll.
You'll probably have questions. Mostly, 'what the holy ** happened?'
ALL will be revealed in time.
One thing's for sure, though... It wasn't meant to end like this...
@thejesuschrist
This hymn slaps
@dspag9448
Hello Jesus
@Th3SunIsFlat
I agree Jesus
@ashthegoo6113
I agree also Jesus
@liquidRkive
based jesus
@lamb9642
We need you!
@MoochMoment
I always found the Stylo/Do Ya Thing models a bit too real for the characters they're portraying, the Humanz models in things like Strobelite were a bit too jank, but these new models finally feel like the perfect rendition of the 2d art into 3D. Excellent work all around, not even counting into the fact that the song slaps
@Gator5902
I couldn’t agree more, perfect put
@SunnyGovai
i love em too
@nathanielrosenberg1420
Agreed, but I wish they'd go back to fully animated videos. They look so weird next to actual humans