Mix 2

Mix 2

In 2004, the band's fantastic website, Kong Studios, re-opened much to fans' delight. Some fans searched the site for new songs as on the original site there were multiple songs by the band which you could find in full length. One of the songs that was found was on Noodle's minidisc player in her room. The song was labeled under the name "Mix 2".

"Mix 2" is a sketch of a song that was recorded during the first part of the second album's sessions, back when the title for it was "Reject False Icons". It's title is likely a reference to what was at this point Damon Albarn's biggest claim to fame, Blur's "Song 2". Due to the song's lo fi quality, it was probably recorded on Damon's 4 track recorder, which he used for demos.

The song's main instrumental beat consists of a drum machine, a funky guitar riff and some industrial type synthesizer interjections. The song also has no bass, likely because it was only a demo. The song's vocals feature Damon in one of his most "2D" type performances yet as he raps the verses in an incomprehensible falsetto and sings the chorus in an army of voices harmonizing all in falsetto as well. The lyrics aren't meant to be made out (I'm not even sure if Damon knows what he's singing on this track) it's just a fun and funky track. A synthesizer that comes in during the chorus gives the track an 80's pop R&B feel which isn't present on any other Gorillaz song in this phase (this sound will come more into play in Phase 4 though).

"Mix 2" wouldn't have fit on to the album that eventually became "Demon Days", but it would have fit right in on "Reject False Icons" which would have sounded like a cross between the sounds of Phase 1 and Phase 2 (see "RockIt" entry for more info). The catchy melody of the song might have been stuck in Damon's head, as 2D's Phase 4 song "Sleeping Powder" bears a strong resemblance to the structure of "Mix 2" (with the catchy synth melody and rap verses, I think it's even the same tempo, plus as much falsetto as a much older Damon can handle). "Mix 2" was probably a demo that Damon fell in love with and asked Jamie to sneak it into the website. Jamie probably left it in Noodle's room because it's a fun ditty, something sweet and uptempo for the youngest member to jam out to on her off time. Especially after all the stuff she goes through during this phase, but we'll get there in due time...