Humanz
by Gorillaz
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 456 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 313 out of 456
  2. Mixed: 98 out of 456
  3. Negative: 45 out of 456
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  1. Music_Observer
    May 14, 2017
    6
    There’s no lack of ambition or experimentation, but Gorillaz don’t make anything substantial of it due to the lack of pace or consistency, and while sounding unique the music is only best applied to very specific atmospheres. My Score: 115/180 (Good) = 6.4/10
  2. Iamthe1
    Apr 28, 2017
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've been a fan of Gorillaz since I was little. I really enjoyed the last album Plastic Beach. It had some great hits. 7 years I waited so I'm a huge fan. I preordered this thinking it would be good like I had huge hopes seeing all the Youtube videos and everything. Listening to the album today sadly I feel Albarns lost the plot on some of the tracks. Albarn is hardly in this album as a lot of his guests turn out to be the lead singers while Albarn has little background cameos. I think the album suffers from this. I think it was a case of way too many people in this. I don't understand the interludes or what they mean and I don't understand why Ben Mendelsohn narrates. I really enjoy the main singles they released and songs like 'Busted and Blue' where Damon is controlling the show. To sum it up some of the songs are disappointing and it's sad that they don't sound like Gorillaz anymore.… Expand
  3. YT_Guyyy
    Apr 28, 2017
    5
    I'll give some backstory to why I think this. So I have been a Gorillaz fan for a LONG time, and I've been waiting for this album for years. I feel cheated. All the years waiting for a new Gorillaz album, and it's more like a Damon Albarn solo project and he brought all his friends to sing for him. A lot of people will make the semi-valid claim of "Well you shouldn't expect their sound toI'll give some backstory to why I think this. So I have been a Gorillaz fan for a LONG time, and I've been waiting for this album for years. I feel cheated. All the years waiting for a new Gorillaz album, and it's more like a Damon Albarn solo project and he brought all his friends to sing for him. A lot of people will make the semi-valid claim of "Well you shouldn't expect their sound to not change". That's not what this is really about. It's mostly that there's no Gorillaz here, you know? It's not made like the members of the band made the music. Like I said before there's not really any singing from Albarn (or 2D).

    I do have an actual review. I think the political lyrics ( while not particularly good) are nice. The instrumentals are alright and most of the featured artist aren't all that bad. Some critics have likened it to Drake's 'More Life' in structure, with it being a similarly disjointed "playlist". I don't really mind it. It's not a bad or good attribute.

    It's a case of unfulfilled promises. I was promised a Gorillaz album, but that I did not get. I think if you didn't go through the new album hype-cycle then you should be able to like the album more than I do. It's a decent electronica album.    … Expand
  4. urukusaki
    Apr 28, 2017
    5
    I wouldn't say it's horrible but it sounds nothing like Gorillaz. I don't really like the choice of vocalists here (which is new compared to all their previous stuffs) even De La Soul sounds a bit unrecognizable through lame vocoders. It would be fun to listen to the instrumental version of the songs.
  5. indierokdunstop
    May 2, 2017
    5
    When you wait 8 years to follow up your last major album, its got to be special. The build up over the 6 months prior to release built up my expectations so much. Many of the featuring artist are favourites of mine but this feels so far from the Gorillaz albums which sit so highly in my list of favourites. There is nothing special about any of the beats, they could be found on any modernWhen you wait 8 years to follow up your last major album, its got to be special. The build up over the 6 months prior to release built up my expectations so much. Many of the featuring artist are favourites of mine but this feels so far from the Gorillaz albums which sit so highly in my list of favourites. There is nothing special about any of the beats, they could be found on any modern hip hop release. I can't say this is a bad album, but there are few tracks I actually enjoyed and I doubt I will listen to it front to back again anytime in the near future. Considering the months and months of build up and teasers, Humanz is an immensely disappointing album.… Expand
  6. SpiralError
    Apr 28, 2017
    4
    I have been a fan since the first album, and needless to say I am disappointed. Gorillaz is a fantastic band that has so much meaning behind each of their songs, and my favorite part about this band is that they don't commit to a genre, Each song sounds so radically different, but in my perception they all had that Gorillaz feel. I'd be able to turn on a random playlist and be able to pickI have been a fan since the first album, and needless to say I am disappointed. Gorillaz is a fantastic band that has so much meaning behind each of their songs, and my favorite part about this band is that they don't commit to a genre, Each song sounds so radically different, but in my perception they all had that Gorillaz feel. I'd be able to turn on a random playlist and be able to pick out any Gorillaz song that was on it because of their distinct flavor. This album detracts from that feeling, that taste with most of the songs. Now hear me out, most of the songs have a great sound to them, especially the ones released before the album was, Saturnz Barz and Andromeda had that taste but most of the others just felt empty in comparison and sort of lazy. Now, I can understand songs not being my taste, but with Gorillaz I have enjoyed almost every other song they have ever put out, but this album I only can truly enjoy half of the tracks, and I dread the day that these songs are on all of my Gorillaz playlists.

    TLDR: Collection of good different songs, but as a Gorillaz album, falls short in keeping the Gorillaz feel. Should have had (feat. Gorillaz) next to most of the tracks so fans had less expectations.    … Expand
  7. Stone_Rob
    Apr 29, 2017
    5
    After seeing so many featured artists that i thought would bring so much to the awesome sound that Gorillaz makes i was excited. After listening to the whole album i was disappointed to hear bland beats and even more bland contributions from all these collaborators. For all the energy that these songs want to project it didn't move me in the way it wanted to.
    Best songs: "Charger" and    After seeing so many featured artists that i thought would bring so much to the awesome sound that Gorillaz makes i was excited. After listening to the whole album i was disappointed to hear bland beats and even more bland contributions from all these collaborators. For all the energy that these songs want to project it didn't move me in the way it wanted to.
    Best songs: "Charger" and "Saturn Barz"    … Expand
  8. daniel_franke
    Apr 28, 2017
    4
    The new Gorillaz album is so stale and lifeless and only feels like a compilation of radio timeslots. The Fall was a better album in my opinion than this album, and that was made on an iPad.
  9. royben14
    Apr 28, 2017
    5
    none of the track aren't well produced, but none are well made, this is Gorillaz at their worst, something I've never wanted to hear. the main track Saturnz Barz is the least enjoyable and most disappointing.
  10. Eggs
    Aug 23, 2017
    6
    Gorillaz have lost their virtual band feel and are now a disjointed mix of guest artists that sounds more like a playlist experience than an album experience. Disappointing.
  11. Zombiekiller6
    Mar 7, 2020
    6
    Too much Humanz, not enough Gorillaz. People suck, animals rock! I don't want to be in the way of other new talents expressing themselves, but I didn't like most songs from the album, and I just really love Albarn's voice. So only songs that had him, were good. The songs were all over the place. Sad, but they have other albums that are all really good. I'm just very disappointed.
  12. krazyyeti555
    Feb 21, 2018
    6
    Anyone knows the Gorillaz past work knows that they never shy away from a musical challenge - on the contrary, nearly every song they make breaks new ground for them, and in the past, this has been a large reason for their endearment. On the highly anticipated Humanz, the Gorillaz first proper album since 2010's Plastic Beach, Damon Albarn's dedication to a musical challenge and emphasisAnyone knows the Gorillaz past work knows that they never shy away from a musical challenge - on the contrary, nearly every song they make breaks new ground for them, and in the past, this has been a large reason for their endearment. On the highly anticipated Humanz, the Gorillaz first proper album since 2010's Plastic Beach, Damon Albarn's dedication to a musical challenge and emphasis on collaboration are present in full force, but a first listen to the album leaves the listener a little bit aloof. The danger that has always been present with Gorillaz albums is that with too much emphasis on experimentation and collaboration, there is the possibility of losing a solid foundation to the music that makes it a cohesive project. With a large portion of Humanz, this is precisely what happens. Many fans would argue that it is the voice of group leader Damon Albarn that is the backbone of the band, and on Humanz, it is a rare occurrence to hear his signature croon, and though there are interesting ideas here, most fall flat and really leave the listener aching for Albarn's voice. Beyond just the fact that Albarn's voice is missing on many tracks, the album's tone is confusing and does not come across as cohesive as their 2006 classic Demon Days and even the highly experimental Plastic Beach. Overall, a slight step backwards for the Gorillaz legacy, but still an enjoyable album for Gorillaz fans. I would not recommend a full listen for non-Gorillaz fans however.

    Recommended tracks: "Andromeda", "Busted and Blue", "Let Me Out", "Hallelujah Money" - and most of the tracks added onto the deluxe edition.    … Expand
  13. tomassmethurst
    May 8, 2017
    4
    Just a bit meh. 8 years wait for a follow up to a fantastic album obviously created a large amount of hype. This album fell flat on so many levels, and the artists featured often do not provide anything interesting to the tracks, some are used completely out of place. Not great.
  14. LUKEOPERCOUP
    Jan 7, 2018
    6
    I waited for them for years, and see the album with full of Featurings makes me sad, this album really needed more from Noodles and 2D, i felt i was listening to other people the whole album, seriously.
    For moments it's enjoyable, but i needed more from then than the feats that sometimes don't feel natural for me. It really has it's moment but most of the songs don't sound ''full of    I waited for them for years, and see the album with full of Featurings makes me sad, this album really needed more from Noodles and 2D, i felt i was listening to other people the whole album, seriously.
    For moments it's enjoyable, but i needed more from then than the feats that sometimes don't feel natural for me. It really has it's moment but most of the songs don't sound ''full of Gorillaz'' for me.    … Expand
  15. PeppaBoi
    Apr 29, 2018
    4
    I'm soooo divided on this album. While some songs are amazing that feel just at home 'Momentz', 'Charger', and 'Busted and Blue', the rest of the songs are just bad. It really feels like a mix tape, just other artists singing under the Gorrilaz name. And the songs where Damon has more of a place are the highlighted moments of the album just, it really doesn't help when about half ofI'm soooo divided on this album. While some songs are amazing that feel just at home 'Momentz', 'Charger', and 'Busted and Blue', the rest of the songs are just bad. It really feels like a mix tape, just other artists singing under the Gorrilaz name. And the songs where Damon has more of a place are the highlighted moments of the album just, it really doesn't help when about half of the songs are bad or interludes.… Expand
  16. dvjmarcomatheus
    May 4, 2020
    4
    26 tracks... and I like only 5 or 6.

    If it was a 10 track album could be much better.

    Lot of songs just look like B-sides...
  17. Le_Username
    Nov 9, 2020
    6
    Too much different songs in this one, unlike other Gorillaz albums it doesn't have a sense of connection, there's too much inconsistency in this one. There's great longs like Andromeda, Ascension, Let me Out, Busted and Blue, but they don't completely make up the other average songs in this one. In my eyes, it's one of the worse Gorillaz main projects, still good, but definitelyToo much different songs in this one, unlike other Gorillaz albums it doesn't have a sense of connection, there's too much inconsistency in this one. There's great longs like Andromeda, Ascension, Let me Out, Busted and Blue, but they don't completely make up the other average songs in this one. In my eyes, it's one of the worse Gorillaz main projects, still good, but definitely underwhelming. 6/10… Expand
  18. GorillazUnoffic
    Aug 21, 2022
    4
    Not much to go on. One of it's biggest let downs is some of the collaborators don't suit the song the feature in. Also another problem is that every song has a collaborator on it which means there's less of Damon. I love that Gorillaz are always trying to be experimental but this time it just doesn't work.

    Notable tracks are: Ascension (ft. Vince Staples) Momentz (ft. De La Soul)    Not much to go on. One of it's biggest let downs is some of the collaborators don't suit the song the feature in. Also another problem is that every song has a collaborator on it which means there's less of Damon. I love that Gorillaz are always trying to be experimental but this time it just doesn't work.

    Notable tracks are:
    Ascension (ft. Vince Staples)
    Momentz (ft. De La Soul)
    Charger (ft. Grace Jones)
    She's My Collar (ft. Kali Uchis)
    Out Of Body (ft. Kilo Kish, Zebra Katz & Imani Vonsha)
    Ticker Tape (ft. Carly Simon & Kali Uchis)    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2017
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Mixmag
    Jun 5, 2017
    80
    If you’re a fan, you won’t be disappointed. ... If you’re new to the zoo, prepare for a 20-track musical trip you won’t forget in a hurry.
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  2. Resident Advisor
    May 15, 2017
    70
    The lyrics on Humanz might be Gorillaz's darkest, but the album has lots of bright music.
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  3. The Telegraph (UK)
    May 11, 2017
    80
    Humanz is a giddy celebration of unity in difference, the sound of eccentrics, weirdos, outsiders and freaks partying together in defiance of convention. It is music where anything goes, as long as it’s got a groove and a heart.
    Read full review
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