Gorillaz stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday for a special performance of “Possession Island” featuring Beck. The track comes from the Damon Albarn-led animated group’s new guest-filled album, Cracker Island.
In opposition to some of the more bombastic rhythms found on Gorillaz’ new disc, “Possession Island” instead tries a little tenderness. Twinkling keyboards and fluttering acoustic guitar underscore the deep timber of Damon’s voice, giving the song a deeply sentimental feel. Beck saunters onstage to join Albarn in a duet from across the piano, his softer voice evening out the pairing.
It’s a nice change to see a live performance where the audience doesn’t erupt in endless applause for the appearance of a special guest or the mention of the state they’re in (“‘Cause the time I came to California I died.”). As the trumpet duo comes roaring in, “Possession Island” disappears over the sunset after Damon and Beck sit side by side to sing one more time, “And we’re all in this together / ’till the end.”
Watch Gorillaz perform “Possession Island” with Beck on Kimmel. Cracker Island is out now across streaming platforms and features guest appearances from Stevie Nicks, Bad Bunny, Thundercat, Tame Impala, and more. Last week at Coachella, Gorillaz welcomed a number of surprise collaborators onstage including Thundercat, De La Soul, Del The Funky Homosapien, slowthai, and Bootie Brown.
Gorillaz, Beck – “Possession Island”