Damon Albarn cannot stop. Between Blur and Gorillaz eating up his creative time, you would think the frontman of such massive groups would have no time for more. Wrong. Albarn has kept consistent with solo releases and his album, Everyday Robots, came after the first Blur reunion. Gorillaz was still in an idle period following a fallout with Jamie Hewlett. And so comes a need to fill the time in between. From an ode to an elephant named Mr. Tembo to a personal reflection of heartbreaking qualities running through, Everyday Robots feels blisteringly honest. A heartbreaker to say the least. Albarn departs majorly from his Blur roots and Gorillaz fascination to mark a break from typecasting expectations. What do we expect from the frontman of a British pop group which later turned heads as indie charmers? Not a trip-hop record lamenting the use of tech.
But this is what Albarn offers. Embrace it. Title track Everyday Robots may settle as a Black Mirror-like implementation of tech fears but it at least has Albarn in fine vocal form. Corny views of tech and the greyed-out feeling, the dullard soldiers marching on with headphones plugged in, is all very well and good but feels like a growing, sweeping view of tech. Everyday Robots makes its hatred for reliance on phones clear, and Albarn has stuck to his guns, revealing he does not own a phone. His rapid spiral into detesting the future is admirable. Albarn is not yet ready to sever the creative energy held to by owning a smartphone and Everyday Robots, like later albums from Sloppy Jane, for instance, are influenced by this disconnect. They can live freely in their world, connect with whatever is around them, and embrace what others miss out on.
Hostiles refers to this and the scrapes heard in the background make for a nice contrast to the subtleties of Albarn. His frankly beautiful vocal range is unlocked on this album. Lonely Press Play may feel a bit idle but Mr. Tembo, a tribute to the baby elephant Albarn met in Tanzania. Gospel music had already made an impact on Blur with Tender but Albarn explores a lighter side to those backing vocalists with this breezy number. Everyday Robots benefits most of all when, like the people Albarn is singing to, it ditches the tech and attaches itself to the real world. Tender is the right word for Everyday Robots. When Albarn pulls himself away from the exposure of obvious internet worries he comes around with some of his best writing to date.
Connections with other people are hard to make when eyes are glued to screens. This is the overarching theme running through this Albarn solo debut. His concern over the disconnect is peppered with his experiences out there in the world and makes Everyday Robots a wonderful back-and-forth of memories, moments of fear and gratifying listens. Something like You & Me or Hollow Ponds claws out for intimacy. Albarn leans into those comfortable, recognisable instrumentals and with added layers of brass and unnerving electronics marks an intense and sometimes intimidating experience. In all that honesty is a crippling worldview which lasts a decade later. Everyday Robots is easy to cut through and it still lands all those hopes and dismayed views of the world.
