Strange Timez (feat. Robert Smith)

Gorillaz's 'Strange Timez,' featuring Robert Smith of The Cure, is a haunting exploration of the surreal and tumultuous state of the world. The song's lyrics paint a picture of a world spinning out of control, both literally and metaphorically. The recurring imagery of spinning around the world at night, in black and white, until the sun comes up, suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion. This spinning could symbolize the relentless pace of modern life and the overwhelming flood of information and events that characterize our times.

2D's verses delve deeper into this chaos, describing a 'twilight void' and 'strange echoes of Belarus,' hinting at political unrest and societal disconnection. The mention of 'presidents pin badges on disconnected youth' underscores the generational divide and the feeling of being lost in a world where leaders seem out of touch with the younger generation's realities. The imagery of 'cutting glass with scissors' and 'great leaders reclining in golden hallways' further emphasizes the stark contrast between the powerful and the powerless, highlighting the absurdity and futility of certain actions in the face of systemic issues.

The chorus, with Robert Smith's ethereal voice, reinforces the theme of strangeness and disorientation. The repetition of 'strange time to see the light' and 'strange time to be alive' captures the essence of living in an era marked by unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. The collaboration between Gorillaz and Robert Smith brings together their unique styles to create a song that resonates with the current global climate, blending melancholy with a sense of urgency and introspection.

'Battle war of the worlds, surgical glove world, bleach thirsty world'—these lines from 2D encapsulate the dystopian reality we face, where health crises, environmental degradation, and political conflicts intertwine. The song's structure, alternating between 2D's vivid, almost surreal descriptions and Robert Smith's haunting refrains, mirrors the oscillation between chaos and reflection, making 'Strange Timez' a poignant commentary on the state of the world today.