Gorillaz Are The Life Of The Party In New Video For “Strobelite”

Gorillaz look to revive the spirit of disco with their new music video for “Strobelite” featuring Peven Everett. The track first appeared on Humanz, the virtual band’s first full-length album in six years which dropped back in April.

The “Raoul Skinbeck”-directed animated visual takes place in a neon-lit night club, revolving around 2D and Noodle tearing it up on the dance floor. Murdoc is seen lurking on the outskirts, mingling with strangers. A handful of other Humanz collaborators are also sprinkled into the scene, including Vince Staples, De La Soul’s Posdnuos, Savages’ and Jehnny Beth.

The video ties into the song’s theme of escapism on the dance floor, which Everett touches on during the chorus:

If when your private life is dreamin'
You’re livin' the strobe light
And you will find the life you’re needin'
You’re livin' the strobe light

Gorillaz’s new material marks the band’s progression into “Phase Four,” the latest chapter of the virtual band’s mythology and backstory that Damon Albarn described as a “dance party for the end of the world.” This theme runs throughout the album, but is particularly present on “Strobelite.” Kaytranada is expected to release a remix of the track on August 18, following Gorillaz’s headlining set at Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, Calif.

While Raoul Skinbeck is not a real person, Gorillaz told Rolling Stone that the fictional director has “a long and illustrious career in producing TV ads for a local double glazing company based in Stoke-on-Trent, and Murdoc thought he’d be rather good at making pop videos.” Humanz sold 140,000 equivalent album units in its first week, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Watch the flashy video above and read all the lyrics to Gorillaz’s “Strobelite” on Genius now.