The Now Now
{{Short description|2018 studio album by Gorillaz}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name = The Now Now
| type = studio
| artist = Gorillaz
| cover = Gorillaz - The Now Now.jpg
| alt = A distorted greyscale drawing of a middle-aged man wearing a punk outfit in a sitting position playing a guitar, overlaid on a pink shadow of the image and a blue background with a black border.
| caption =
| released = {{start date|2018|06|29|df=y}}
| recorded = Late 2017 – February 2018
| studio = * Studio 13 (London)
{{collapsible list|title=Various additional|
- Brick Road (Scottsdale){{efn|Additional recording on track 1}}
- The Compound (London){{efn|Additional recording on track 3}}
- Mondrian Hotel (West Hollywood){{efn|Demos for tracks 3 and 11}}
- Raphael Hotel (Kansas City){{efn|Demo for track 4}}
- Knob Hill Inn (Ketchum){{efn|Demo for track 6}}
- Marriott Hotel (Zürich){{efn|Demos for tracks 7 and 10}}
- Delano South Beach (Florida){{efn|Demo for track 8}}
}}
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=40|s=42}}
| label = {{hlist|Parlophone|Warner Bros.}}
| producer = * Gorillaz
| chronology = Gorillaz
| prev_title = Humanz
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Damon Albarn
| type = studio
| prev_title = Humanz
| prev_year = 2017
| title = The Now Now
| year = 2018
| next_title = Merrie Land
| next_year = 2018
}}
{{Singles
| name = The Now Now
| type = studio
| single1 = Humility
| single1date = 31 May 2018
| single2 = Lake Zurich
| single2date = 31 May 2018
| single3 = Sorcererz
| single3date = 7 June 2018
| single4 = Fire Flies
| single4date = 14 June 2018
| single5 = Hollywood
| single5date = 21 June 2018
| single6 = Tranz
| single6date = 14 September 2018
}}
}}
The Now Now is the sixth studio album recorded by the British virtual band Gorillaz, released on 29 June 2018 via Parlophone and Warner Bros. Records. Recording for the album began in late 2017 – according to Gorillaz co-creator Damon Albarn, it was recorded quickly so the band would have new material to play at future concerts.
The album spawned six singles, including "Humility" (the lead single), "Hollywood" and "Tranz". The Now Now debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and at number five on the UK Albums Chart. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the album's minimalist sound and lyrical content {{en dash}} however, some reviewers criticised its perceived lack of ambition and focus.
Background and recording
Following the release of their 2017 album Humanz, the co-creator of Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, had hinted at the possibility of a new Gorillaz album arriving sooner than expected, and said he enjoyed recording and debuting new music while on tour.{{cite web|title=Gorillaz may release another 'surprise' album|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2017/09/gorillaz-may-another-surprise-album-works/|last=Fleisher|first=Grace|date=2017-09-27|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-02}} He compared the spontaneous nature of this process to their 2010 album The Fall and wanted to make another record that would feel similar but more complete in comparison; he said, "if we're going to do more with Gorillaz we don't want to wait seven years because ... we're getting on a bit now".{{cite web|title=The Gorillaz might drop a surprise album on us|url=http://mixmag.net/read/the-gorillaz-might-drop-a-surprise-new-album-on-us-news|last=Lee|first=Valerie|date=29 September 2017|website=Mixmag|access-date=4 June 2018}} He later confirmed Gorillaz were working on another album that was scheduled for release in 2018.{{Cite news|date=20 December 2017|title=Gorillaz To Release New Album In 2018|publisher=Radio X|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/gorillaz/gorillaz-to-release-new-album-in-2018/|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612113206/https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/gorillaz/gorillaz-to-release-new-album-in-2018/|url-status=dead}}
New songs from the album were performed during the Humanz Tour; Gorillaz debuted "Idaho" during a September 2017 concert in Seattle.{{Cite news|last=Blanchard|first=Nicole|date=3 October 2017|title=Jam to a new ode to Idaho, thanks to this Grammy-winning band — and Bruce Willis|work=Idaho Statesman|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/article176791296.html|access-date=29 May 2018}} In March 2018, during a concert in Santiago, the band debuted "Hollywood", which features Jamie Principle and Snoop Dogg.{{Cite news|last=Daramola|first=Israel|date=28 March 2018|title=Watch Gorillaz Debut a New Song in Chile|work=Spin|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/03/gorillaz-hollywood-live-video/|access-date=29 May 2018}} At this concert, Albarn stated the album had recently been finished and would soon be released. That May, a series of posters that contained phrases such as "G is the Magic Number" and "Save Us from Him" – as well as a URL that pointed to a teaser for the album that revealed its title and release date – were found at the music festival All Points East.{{cite news |last=Bowman |first=Lisa |title=Has the release date for Gorillaz' new album been confirmed? |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gorillaz-new-single-album-cryptic-clues-posters-all-points-east-now-now-2325940-2325940|access-date=30 May 2018 |work=NME |issue=29 May 2018}} The website included a short excerpt from a new song that was later released as "Lake Zurich".{{Cite magazine|date=28 May 2018|title=Gorillaz Tease New Project Coming Soon, 'The Now Now'|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8458055/gorillaz-tease-new-release-coming-soon-the-now-now|access-date=29 May 2018}} On 28 May, the day after the festival ended, Emma de Caunes, the wife of Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett, confirmed the album's release via Instagram.{{Cite news|last=Young|first=Alex|date=29 May 2018|title=It's official: Gorillaz to release new album next month|work=Consequence of Sound|url=https://consequence.net/2018/05/gorillaz-the-now-now-official/|access-date=29 May 2018}}
Recording began during the North American leg of the Humanz Tour in late 2017,{{cite web|title=Gorillaz: The Now Now review – Damon Albarn and co dial down the maximalism|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/29/gorillaz-the-now-now-review-damon-albarn-warner-bros|last=Aroesti|first=Rachel|date=29 June 2018|website=The Guardian|access-date=13 May 2019}} but the majority of the album was recorded in February 2018 at Studio 13 in London.{{cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |title=Gorillaz Tap Jack Black for Vibrant New 'Humility' Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/gorillaz-tap-jack-black-for-vibrant-new-humility-video-w520949 |access-date=4 June 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=31 May 2018}} In a Radio X interview, Albarn said the album was produced within a short time so the band would have new material to play at upcoming festivals.{{cite interview|last=Albarn|first=Damon|subject-link=Damon Albarn|interviewer=Gordon Smart|title=Why Damon Albarn Shunned A Collaboration With Prince|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/gorillaz/damon-albarn-shunned-prince-collaboration|access-date=11 June 2018|publisher=Radio X|location=London|date=31 May 2018|quote=We've been very lucky to be offered all the festivals this year on the back of the last record ... but I didn't want to do that unless I had something new to work with, so the only option was to make another record really quickly and not have lots of guests on it, because that takes a long time to organize; just do it all myself, really.}} As a byproduct of the album's expedited production, The Now Now includes fewer guest collaborators than previous Gorillaz records. Albarn credited producer James Ford for extensively contributing to the album's lyrical cohesion, saying; "If this record makes any more sense, it's entirely down to him, not me".{{Cite AV media notes|title=The Now Now|others=Gorillaz|year=2018|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12197355-The-Now-Now/images|access-date=3 July 2018|type=liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=0190295643416}}
Music and lyrics
File:Damon Albarn with Gorillaz at Oslo Spektrum.jpg.{{cite news|last=Serota|first=Maggie|date=31 May 2018|title=Gorillaz {{em dash}} "Humility" and "Lake Zurich"|work=Spin|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/05/gorillaz-humility-and-lake-zurich/|access-date=1 June 2018}}]]
According to Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic, The Now Now includes elements of 1980s new wave and "yacht soul", which suggest the influence of disco and old-school hip-hop in Albarn's songwriting.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-now-now-mw0003183127|title=The Now Now - Gorillaz|last=Thomas Erlewine|first=Stephen|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 May 2020}} Clash magazine described its songs as "slick, mutant funk",{{cite web|title=Gorillaz – The Now Now|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/gorillaz-the-now-now|last=Skinner|first=Wilf|date=25 June 2018|website=Clash|access-date=26 June 2018}} while Drowned in Sound noted a "breezy synth-pop style" that it compared with Gorillaz' earlier album Plastic Beach. NME{{'}}s Thomas Smith called Albarn's lyrics "more introspective" as a result of "[moving] away" from the "bad influences" of 2017's Humanz.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Thomas|date=27 June 2018|title=Gorillaz – 'The Now Now' Review|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/gorillaz-the-now-now-album-review-2344459|access-date=16 December 2019|website=NME}} Pitchfork described the album as "daydream funk, playful psych-pop, and up-scale disco".{{cite web|title=The Now Now|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/gorillaz-the-now-now/amp/|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|website=Pitchfork|date=29 June 2018|access-date=2020-05-25}} Corbin Reid of Uproxx said, "Stuttering synth melodies lock into and swirl around an impressive collection of different and varying drum patterns. The music doesn't knock you down as much as it washes over you like a warm, comforting wave." He also compared it to the music of Tame Impala, noting it is "maybe less psychedelic in execution and more sepia-tinged in feeling".{{cite web|last=Reiff|first=Corbin|date=2018-06-29|title=Gorillaz' New Album 'The Now Now' Explained By Singer 2-D|url=https://uproxx.com/music/gorillaz-the-now-now-album-2d-interview/|access-date=2020-05-20|website=Uproxx|language=en-US}} Lily Moayeri from Under the Radar said many of the lyrics are "set in or devoted to the city of Los Angeles", adding "The Now Now gives off the impression of a tour diary".{{Cite web|last=Moayeri|first=Lily|title=The Now Now|url=http://undertheradarmag.com/reviews/gorillaz_the_now_now|access-date=2020-06-10|website=undertheradarmag.com|language=en}} Finn from DIY called the album "A more spaced-out affair, stripped of its star-studded collaborations and bathed in the apparent apathy of the modern age".{{cite web|title=Gorillaz - The Now Now|url=https://diymag.com/2018/06/27/gorillaz-the-now-now-album-review|last=Finn|first=Rachel|website=DIY|date=27 June 2018 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}}
{{clear}}
Release and promotion
The Now Now was officially announced on 30 May 2018.{{cite magazine|title=Gorillaz Announce New Album 'The Now Now'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8458536/gorillaz-announce-new-album-the-now-now|last=Enos|first=Morgan|date=2018-05-30|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-01}} The following day, a North American seven-date tour to promote the album beginning in October, which was part of The Now Now Tour, was announced.{{cite news |last=Kaye |first=Ben |title=Gorillaz announce North American arena tour, Los Angeles Demon Dayz Festival |url=https://consequence.net/2018/05/gorillaz-north-american-arena-show-festival/ |access-date=1 June 2018 |work=Consequence of Sound |date=31 May 2018}} On 24 June, Gorillaz performed The Now Now live at the Boiler Room in Tokyo, Japan, streaming it live on YouTube.{{cite web|title=Watch Gorillaz Perform Their New Album in Full|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/06/gorillaz-the-now-now-boiler-room-performance-livestream-watch/|last1=Arcand|first1=Rob|date=24 June 2018|website=Spin|access-date=3 April 2019}}
When songs from the album {{en dash}} excluding "Humility" and "Tranz", both of which had music videos{{cite news|last=Kaye|first=Ben|date=31 May 2018|title=Gorillaz return with new singles "Humility" and "Lake Zurich": Stream|work=Consequence of Sound|url=https://consequence.net/2018/05/gorillaz-new-single-humility/|access-date=31 May 2018}}{{cite web|title=Gorillaz Share 'Tranz' Video|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/gorillaz-share-tranz-video|last=Kahn|first=Andy|date=2018-09-14|website=JamBase|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01}} {{en dash}} were released, visualisers for them were uploaded to YouTube.{{efn|The following is a list of the visualisers from the album that were uploaded to YouTube:
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Hollywood feat. Snoop Dogg & Jamie Principle (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgwE94KZJ7E|last=Gorillaz|date=21 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Kansas (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skKP6QwOXYA|last=Gorillaz|date=29 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Sorcererz (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40xG4bMr9F4|last=Gorillaz|date=7 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Idaho (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUHkwJiaBe0|last=Gorillaz|date=29 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Lake Zurich (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68JpPpSc7bs|last=Gorillaz|date=31 May 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Magic City (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixnDm02uEeE|last=Gorillaz|date=29 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Fire Flies (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCet4yrfp4o|last=Gorillaz|date=14 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} One Percent (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x42vW0y_uFo|last=Gorillaz|date=29 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}
- {{cite web|title=Gorillaz {{en dash}} Souk Eye (Visualiser)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B57lnGcMpY|last=Gorillaz|date=30 June 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=8 May 2020}}}}
=Singles=
On 31 May 2018, the songs "Humility", which debuted via Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio program,{{cite news|last=Pearis|first=Bill|date=31 May 2018|title=Gorillaz share new single "Humility" (ft. George Benson) & talk new LP|work=BrooklynVegan|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/gorillaz-share-new-single-humility-ft-george-benson-talk-new-lp/|access-date=31 May 2018}} and "Lake Zurich", which peaked at 35 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart, were released as singles.
"Humility" had been announced the previous day; it was released with a music video, in which the fictional lead singer of Gorillaz, 2-D is seen roller-skating around Venice Beach.{{Cite web|title=Gorillaz drop video for new track 'Humility', give new album update|url=https://diymag.com/2018/05/31/gorillaz-drop-video-for-new-track-humility-and-give-new-album-update|access-date=2020-06-14|website=DIY|date=31 May 2018 |language=en}} "Humility" peaked at 81 on the UK Singles Chart,{{cite web|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100: 8 June 2018|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20180608/7501/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=11 June 2018}} at 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100{{Cite magazine|title=Gorillaz – Humility – Chart History|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gorillaz/chart-history/hsi/|access-date=11 June 2018}} and at number 7 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart.{{cite magazine|title=Gorillaz Hot Rock Songs Chart History|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gorillaz/chart-history/ark/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-01}} On 7 June, the album's third single "Sorcererz" was released.{{cite web|title=Gorillaz Debut New Songs Live, Share "Sorcererz": Listen|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-gorillaz-debut-4-new-songs-live/|last=Kim|first=Michelle|date=7 June 2018|website=Pitchfork|language=en|access-date=2020-05-01}} The song was originally premiered during Gorillaz's headlining set at Rock im Park.{{Cite web|date=2018-06-07|title=Gorillaz debut four new songs from upcoming album The Now Now: Watch|url=https://consequence.net/2018/06/gorillaz-debut-new-songs/|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en-US}} It peaked at 36 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart.
On 14 June, the fourth single, "Fire Flies", was released;{{cite web|title=Listen to Gorillaz's New Song "Fire Flies"|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-gorillazs-new-song-fire-flies/|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|date=14 June 2018|website=Pitchfork|access-date=25 May 2020}} it peaked at 32 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart. On 21 June, the fifth single "Hollywood" was released.{{cite web|title=Gorillaz share new track – 'Hollywood'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-share-new-track-hollywood-2342147|last=Aubrey|first=Elizabeth|date=2018-06-21|website=NME|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-01}} The song was first heard at a concert in Santiago, Chile. Before the song began, Albarn said to the crowd, "If you go tell anyone that we're putting out a new album very soon, I'll deny it, cause I didn't say that. Alright?".{{Cite web|last=Nifras|first=Jeremy|title=Gorillaz debut new track "Hollywood" ft. Snoop Dogg in Chile (watch)|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/gorillaz-debut-new-track-hollywood-w-snoop-dogg-in-chile-watch/|access-date=2020-06-14|website=BrooklynVegan|language=en}} "Hollywood" peaked at 26 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart. On 14 September, the sixth single "Tranz" was released with a music video, which, according to Sam Moore of NME, "depicts the cartoon version of the band's first-ever 'live performance' music video".{{Cite web|date=2018-09-13|title=Watch Gorillaz's first-ever 'live performance' music video for 'Tranz'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-tranz-video-live-performance-2378847|access-date=2020-06-14|website=NME|language=en-GB}} The song peaked at 16 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart.
Reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=The Now Now – Gorillaz |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-now-now-mw0003183127 |website=AllMusic |access-date=29 June 2018}}
| rev2 = The A.V. Club
| rev3 = The Daily Telegraph
| rev4 = The Guardian
| rev5 = The Independent
| rev5score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Ilana |last2=Shepherd |first2=Jack |last3=O'Connor |first3=Roisin |last4=Beech |first4=Dave |title=Album reviews: Gorillaz, Teyana Taylor, Ray Davies and more |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/gorillaz-the-now-now-album-review-teyana-taylor-kanye-west-ray-davies-a8419771.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/gorillaz-the-now-now-album-review-teyana-taylor-kanye-west-ray-davies-a8419771.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The Independent |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=13 May 2019}}
| rev6 = NME
| rev7 = Pitchfork
| rev8 = Q
| rev8score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Doyle |first=Tom |title=Tragi-Comic |magazine=Q |issue=387 |location=London |date=Summer 2018 |page=108}}
| rev9 = Uncut
| rev9score = 7/10{{cite magazine |last=Cochrane |first=Greg |title=Gorillaz: The Now Now |magazine=Uncut |issue=255 |location=London |date=August 2018 |page=27}}
| rev10 = Rolling Stone
}}
= Critical reception =
The Now Now received generally positive reviews from music critics. Review aggregator website Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, assigned the album an average score of 73, based on 28 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
The album, which is a comparably stripped-down affair, was praised for its lyrical and musical simplicity. In his review, NME{{'}}s Thomas Smith called it a "trim and spritely listen". According to Rolling Stone{{'}}s Will Hermes, the simplistic approach results in "the band's most coherent LP to date". Many reviewers compared The Now Now with the band's previous two records. Favourably commenting on the new-found coherence reminiscent of The Fall, Drowned in Sound{{'}}s Duncan Conrad noted the "radically shortened guest list" and the "written-on-the-road simplicity" that are more akin to the band's 2010 fan club giveaway than the "over-stuffed" Humanz. NME{{'}}s Smith lauded the album as more concise and less "generic" than its "bloated" immediate predecessor. DIY{{'}}s Rachel Finn said the album feels "easy to just sit back and listen".
Most critics also praised the album's energy and optimism. According to NME, The Now Now consists of "11 pop tracks that zip with energy, passion and an abundance of ideas", Rolling Stone called it "optimistic by [Albarn's] usual standards". Among others, Clash{{'}}s Wilf Skinner called it "a jubilant and solidly varied ... album".
Some critics felt that there was a lack of ambition on the album. Rolling Stone said there is a distinct lack of "the sparks that come from the usual Gorillaz mess of ideas and personalities". Drowned in Sound called it a "disappointingly minor album, low on standout songs and big ideas", and lacking the band's trademark experimentation.{{cite web|title=Album Review: Gorillaz – The Now Now|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20373/reviews/4151887|last=Duncan|first=Conrad|date=26 June 2018|website=Drowned in Sound|access-date=26 June 2018|archive-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626175328/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20373/reviews/4151887|url-status=dead}}
Critics were also divided on the album's narrative. While Drowned in Sound{{'}}s Conrad said the album "does very little to advance the mythology [of the band]" and thus "lacks a sense of purpose", NME said its narrative "works in tandem with their current storyline" to the band's "highly entertaining mythology".
GQ in Russia ranked The Now Now as the 18th best album of 2018.{{cite web|date=November 28, 2018|title=Лучшие музыкальные альбомы 2018 года|trans-title=The Best Albums of 2018|url=https://www.gq.ru/entertainment/best-music-albums-2018|access-date=February 6, 2020|work=GQ (Russia)}}
= Commercial reception=
The Now Now debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Gorillaz' sixth album to reach the chart's top ten.{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=6 July 2018|title=Drake's Scorpion debuts at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart with bumper week of streams|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/drakes-scorpion-debuts-at-number-1-on-the-official-albums-chart-with-bumper-week-of-streams__23332/|access-date=7 July 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company}} In the United States, The Now Now debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 with sales of 63,000 album-equivalent units, of which 52,000 were pure album sales, becoming Gorillaz' fifth top-ten album in the United States.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Damon Albarn, alongside any featured artists, and produced by Gorillaz, James Ford, and Remi Kabaka.
{{Track listing
| headline = The Now Now {{no bold|- Standard edition}}
| total_length = 40:42
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Humility
| note1 = featuring George Benson
| length1 = 3:17
| title2 = Tranz
| length2 = 2:42
| title3 = Hollywood
| note3 = featuring Snoop Dogg and Jamie Principle
| length3 = 4:53
| title4 = Kansas
| length4 = 4:08
| title5 = Sorcererz
| length5 = 3:00
| title6 = Idaho
| length6 = 3:42
| title7 = Lake Zurich
| length7 = 4:13
| title8 = Magic City
| length8 = 4:00
| title9 = Fire Flies
| length9 = 3:53
| title10 = One Percent
| length10 = 2:20
| title11 = Souk Eye
| length11 = 4:34
}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Gorillaz
- Damon Albarn – vocals, instrumentation, production {{small|(all tracks)}}
- Jamie Hewlett – artwork, design, video direction
- Junior Dan – bass {{small|(track 5)}}
- Stephen Sedgwick – mixing, engineering, recording
- Karl Vanden Bossche – percussion {{small|(track 3)}}
- Remi Kabaka Jr. – production, percussion, drum programming {{small|(track 7)}}
- John Davis – mastering
- Samuel Egglenton – engineering assistance
- James Ford – production {{small|(all tracks)}}, drums, bass guitar {{small|(tracks 1–3, 5, 8–11)}}, synthesiser {{small|(tracks 1, 4–7)}}
{{col-2}}
Additional musicians
- George Benson – guitar {{small|(track 1)}}
- Snoop Dogg – vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
- Jamie Principle – vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
- Abra – additional vocals {{small|(track 5)}}
- Graham Coxon – additional guitar {{small|(track 8)}}
Additional technical
- Mark DeCozio – additional engineering {{small|(track 1)}}
- Stuart Lowbridge – live music co-ordination
Additional artwork
- Stars Redmond – assistance
- Siobhan Battye – assistance
{{col-end}}
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Australia|4|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|8|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|5|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|2|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|4|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| scope="row"|Croatian Albums (HDU){{cite web|url=http://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-30-tjedan-2018/|title=Lista prodaje 30. tjedan 2018. (23.07.2018. - 29.07.2018.)|date=7 August 2018|publisher=top-lista.hr|language=hr|access-date=30 November 2020}}
| 2 |
| {{album chart|Denmark|27|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|5|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Finland|17|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|France|6|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|10|id=361374|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI){{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html|title=Top-75 Albums Sales Chart Week: 28/2018|publisher=IFPI Greece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724002440/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html|archive-date=24 July 2018|access-date=1 November 2020|url-status=live}}
| 28 |
| {{album chart|Hungary|7|year=2018|week=27|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland2|4|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=17 November 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Italy|17|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| scope="row"| Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan){{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2018&month=07&day=9|title=Hot Albums [2018/07/09 付け]|website=Billboard Japan|access-date=21 September 2020|language=ja}}
| 41 |
| {{album chart|Oricon|39|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|date=2018-07-09|rowheader=true|access-date=23 August 2020}} |
| scope="row"| Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)
| 3 |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|9|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Norway|7|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Poland|27|id=1149|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Portugal|8|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=12 October 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|4|date=20180706|rowheader=true|access-date=17 October 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|11|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|18|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| scope="row"|Swiss Albums (Romandie){{cite web|url=https://lescharts.ch/weekchart.asp?year=2018&date=20180708&cat=a|title=Lescharts.ch – Gorillaz – The Now Now|publisher=Hung Medien|language=fr|access-date=2 March 2023}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|3|artist=Gorillaz|album=The Now Now|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|5|date=20180706|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|4|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020|refname=BB200}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|2|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRock|2|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=28 May 2020}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|1|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=15 May 2021}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardVinyl|1|artist=Gorillaz|rowheader=true|access-date=15 May 2021}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=The Now Now|type=album|artist=Gorillaz|relyear=2018|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|certyear=2022|id=18592-1720-2|access-date=24 December 2022}}
{{certification Table Bottom | noshipments=true | nosales=true| streaming=true}}
Notes
{{notelist|colwidth=35em}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Gorillaz}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Now Now, The}}
Category:Warner Records albums
Category:Albums produced by Damon Albarn