Damon Albarn To Preview New Gorillaz Tracks

The NME is reporting that the mastermind behind Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, is going to be premiering new Gorillaz demos while filling in for the BBC's Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe. Albarn will be "taking over" for Zane Lowe next week on Wednesday Januray 14. They are also reporting that the new Gorillaz is 80 percent done and is set for release later this year. The NME's website put up the article earlier but it seems to have mysteriously vanish, here is the original text:

Damon Albarn to premiere new Gorillaz demos next week
Albarn turns radio DJ and lets fans hear some exclusives

Damon Albarn is set to unveil a host of new Gorillaz songs when he becomes a radio DJ next week.

Albarn is filling in for BBC Radio 1 's Zane Lowe next Wednesday (January 14) as part of the station's Takeover series, which sees stars present Lowe's weeknight evening show for a fortnight.

The demos are said to be roughly 80 per cent finished, and are expected to appear on the new Gorillaz album, which is scheduled to be released in late 2009.

Albarn's show is also expected to feature a guest appearance from the Gorillaz' bandmembers, who include Murdoc Niccals 2D, Russel Hobbs and Noodle.

The full list of guest presenters set to appear on BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe 'Takeover' is:

The Prodigy (January 12)
Friendly Fires (13)
Damon Albarn (14)
Biffy Clyro (15)
Lily Allen (19)
Razorlight (20)
The Wombats (21)
Jimmy Carr (22)

There is still no producer named for the album, it is unknown whether Albarn will try to produce it himself. He did produce Amadou And Mariam single 'Sabali' along with two other tracs. Gorillaz has used Dan 'the Automator' Nakamura and Brian Burton (Dangermouse) as producers in the past. Below you can download an unreleased Gorillaz track that was posted on the band's site a while ago.

Gorillaz - Mr. Softy's Balloon Race [zshare]