Bolly Noir Lyrics – Gorillaz | from “The Mountain”

Gorillaz are climbing new heights with Bolly Noir, featuring the mesmerizing vocals of Niloy Ahsan, a standout from their ninth studio album The Mountain, dropping February 27, 2026, via their own KONG label.

This track pulls you into that signature Gorillaz fusion, blending shadowy trip-hop grooves with Bollywood-inspired noir vibes—think moody basslines and atmospheric synths that evoke a late-night Mumbai street scene crossed with classic film intrigue. Niloy Ahsan, a masterful Dhrupad vocalist from the ancient Dagar lineage, brings his deep, resonant Hindustani classical style to the mix, adding layers of spiritual depth and haunting melody that feel both timeless and fresh. It’s a perfect slice of the album’s global ethos: lyrics in multiple languages, rich collaborations, and that eclectic sound Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett chase, turning cultural crossroads into something hypnotic. Themes lean into mystery and introspection, with the “noir” title hinting at tales of hidden desires or urban shadows, all wrapped in Gorillaz’s animated world-building.

The Mountain started as a spark from travels and sessions in India, evolving through recordings in places like Mumbai, Damascus, and London. They debuted the whole thing live at a surprise “mystery show” in September during the House of Kong exhibition, with guests like Anoushka Shankar and Asha Puthli joining in. Singles like “The Happy Dictator” with Sparks and “Damascus” with Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey have been teasing the diversity, but Bolly Noir stands out on deluxe editions with its bonus track energy. The full 15-track standard rolls heavy on collabs—Trueno, IDLES, Black Thought, Johnny Marr—and deluxe adds exclusives like this one.

Gorillaz keep pushing boundaries at 25 years strong. After Cracker Island’s island-hopping escapism, this feels like a deeper dive into world sounds without losing their quirky edge—Albarn’s pulling from everywhere, Hewlett’s visuals are sharper than ever, and the live plans for 2026 tours promise to bring it all to life on massive stages.