Gorillaz fans: Yeeeeees, Plastic Beach is back Damon: *Let's fckng destroy it, Leee*

Gorillaz: "would you like to see more plastic beach?" Me: "Boy would I!" Gorillaz: "Destroyed it"

Everyone's talking Murdoc and 2D which is understandable, but does anyone else see that Russel is mainly concerned about Noodles safety. She was safe in his mouth at the beginning, he helps her put onto the lighthouse. Holding her hand, holding her wrist as they go through the portal. He's concerned about her and only her here. It's so cute like an older brother protecting his lil sis

Since Murdoc is the one who literally kidnapped and locked 2D during phase 3, I think the destruction of the Plastic Beach is a nice metaphore of Murdoc losing his control over 2D.

Rest in peace Plastic Beach

2010: Escape to Plastic Beach. 2020: Destroy to Plastic Beach.

The fact that Murdoc for a brief moment accepts his fate, then becomes ELATED when 2d comes back just brings tears to my eyes in so many ways. He KNOWS 2d shouldn't have come back but that fact that 2d does just melts my heart.

1:30 Dang that shot of Noodle looking at her old mask, haunted by the broken memories of her past, gives me chills.

Me: "And then he used his laser eyes to destroy plastic beach!" My parents: "Sure son, eat your dinner."

The lore now be like “And then, Leee John destroyed plastic beach with his laser eyes-“

The fact this is only partially CGI is why Jamie Hewlett is an underrated artist. The water and models are all real. He’s an incredible man that Gorillaz can’t do without.

It melts my heart knowing the 2 most replayed parts are when cyborg noodle are on screen and 2-D saving Murdoc. I love the Gorillaz fanbase.

It took over a decade but Plastic Beach finally got a proper ending...

2-D: _throws up a whole damn whale_ Also 2-D: *So anyway, I started singing.*

I want a 5 hour long movie(or a movie with two parts) with literally every little bit of canon lore

Low key this is probably my favorite Gorillaz music video of all time. It acts as a conclusion for plot points in Plastic Beach that were never resolved all these years later, as well as redeeming Murdoc and showing that he has been forgiven and accepted by the rest of the band with 2-D coming back for him at the end

Damon said, “This giant model is taking up too much space. Time to get rid of it.”

Everyone: Happy cos Plastic Beach is back Jaime: Lets destroy plastic Beach Everyone: ._.

That shot of Cyborg Noodle just glaring up at the gang as she just descends further into the depths of the ocean, gives me chills every time I see it. Especially with her backstory and all she's witnessed till that point.

i don’t know if anyone noticed, but towards the end when everyone is trying to get to the top of the lighthouse, you can see murdoc desperately trying to pull everyone up, only to seemingly get left behind in the end. i thought it was a very interesting detail that got slightly overshadowed by 2D coming back to rescue him. i suppose no good deed goes unpunished? im not good at analyzing stuff LOL

Respect for 2D able to start singing as soon as he throws up a whale.

Snoop in 2010: Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach Leee John in 2020: Welcome to the Death of the Plastic Beach

The radioactive water is not only strong enough to make Russel giant, but to create a humanoid sea monster that sings and shoots laser beams from its eyes.

1:22 Poor Daley. He didn’t even make it to the plastic beach. He was only late by a few hours!

Is no one gonna talk about how Murdoc cried when he saw Cyborg Noodle dead

Plastic Beach: Exists* Leee John: And I took that personally...

3:56 I love Murdoc's face when 2D shows up

the implication that cyborg noodle is still alive is disturbing

I will forever be grateful for Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett to get drunk enough to come up with an idea for a cartoon band in the 90's. Gorillaz is the best thing to happen during this pandemic.

Im sorry but the absolute terror on murdocs face when the portal closed. Jamie did an AMAZING job on showing that he thought they wouldnt come back for them. Murdoc knows hes done terrible things to them, and was not expecting them to come back. And 2D came back for him, his face was just OMG he was SO relieved. Its insane how a perfect combo of music and visuals can create such vivid storytelling

In many ways, I feel like this was Gorillaz trying to finally finish the plastic beach storyline, as it takes a lot of concepts from the cancelled Rhinestone Eyes video. The destruction of the mansion, Noodle coming out of giant Russel's mouth, and cyborg Noodle's destruction. Not to mention Murdoc coming to terms with the fact that he was the real monster in that part of his life

This video is insane. Not only are they returning to their roots from phase 3, but they are really looking back at the memories they left behind and watching everything get demolished by some beast.

Not gonna lie, I breaks my heart to think the Plastic Beach model is now destroyed. I would have loved to see it put in a museum one day in the future.

One important thing to note: Murdoc abused 2D for his entire life and 2D still went back to save him

3:46 2D's expression when Murdoc pulls him up is to die for.

Everyone is talking about 2-D going back to save Murdoc. But did anyone else notice Murdoc helping each one of his bandmates onto the top of the sinking lighthouse?

Everyone: I’m crying at 2D saving Murdoc Me: And I’m just crying at everything in other entire video *The NOSTALGIA*

them returning to plastic beach is like the best christmas present we could've asked for lol edit : this comment did not age well rip plastic beach

The brief scene of Cyborg Noodle awake and sinking gives me chills everytime. I know we may not, but I hope we see her again.

3:00 nobody gonna talk about one of the most important pieces of gorillaz lore

This seems to be all about trauma and letting go of it all. Plastic Beach was a low point for the whole gang, and each one of them shows a piece of their past trauma, all still tied to them and the beach. However, this is more focused on 2D and Murdoc, given that Murdoc caused all of the trauma and suffering 2D endured when he was held captive on the beach - being gassed, forced to sing, and developing a fear of the whale Massive Dick (which later ate him). However even after all the abuse 2D endured, he still reaches out for Murdoc to show that he wouldn’t let him be stranded and afraid just like he was. I think this is a turning point for the duo, perhaps a small road to recovery. Edit: Came back to listen to the song again only to see the amount of lovely comments left by all of you! I enjoyed reading each and every one, and many of you had great add ons. I hope everyone here has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, it’s been a tough year for everyone, but here’s hoping we can push through it together.

2D reaching out to Murdoc is the most important symbol in all of Gorillaz, I think. The whole song machine phase was about Murdoc losing control, not feeling needed anymore, falling into depression. In Désolé, he was crying on the couch, at the end of The pink phantom, he showed up, seeming desperate for attention. In the past, it was the opposite. Murdoc had all the power, controlling and abusing 2D. It all changed in Humanz, when 2D got free of Murdocs control, showing in his white eyes. All of that combining, it is so powerful seeing 2D reaching out for Murdoc, showing he cares about him, despite everything Murdoc has done to him. He showed Murdoc doesn't need to worry, he is still an important part of the group and is not left behind.

I see myself going through the streets Think I must be dreaming The lost chord I want to you gone feel (the lost chord) I see rain's coming down At this time of year, I'm always in need of Of silent waves (silent waves) The pulse on your face The lost chord The lost chord The lost chord (I go harder, harder) Take me into the garden The lost chord (the lost chord) The lost chord The lost chord (I go harder, harder) Music in my mind Break those chains, baby And I'll find, I'll find myself Yeah, come on (take me into thе garden) I, I'm tryna go (oh) The lost chord The lost chord Thе lost chord (I go harder, harder) Take me into the garden The lost chord The lost chord The lost chord (I go harder, harder) Take me into the garden Happier, happy (happy, happy) Move me somewhere I can see the sunlight Take me into the garden The silent waves (silent waves) The pulse on your face (oh, Lord) The lost chord (allow me) The lost chord The lost chord (I go harder, harder) Take me into the garden The lost chord (the lost chord) The lost chord The lost chord (I go harder, harder) Take me into the garden (the lost chord) Tryna find my way every single day Tryna find my way I wanna be free I wanna be free I wanna be free Break those chains that bind me, I wanna be free (I wanna be free) Break those chains, baby Break those chains that bind me, I wanna be free (wanna be free)

I think we can all agree that plastic beach was a very traumatic time for the gorillaz, and the fact they go back to watch all that burn to the ground and kind of re-live it again makes them grow closer. And especially 2D and murdoc. They grew closer and learned to apologize and forgive eachother. Its a big step for murdoc

“...And then 2D saved Murdoc!” “Ok, daughter...Do you want to open your presents now?”

Here’s a list of some things important things I noticed: -Murdoc arrives wearing the mask of the Boogeyman -Noodle falls out of Russ’s mouth, just like her reveal in the Rhinestone Eyes animatics -2D throws up a miniature Massive Dick in a reference to Cyborg Noodle’s octopus in the Melancholy Hill music video (the same squid can be seen in this video) -Russel first appears on the island as his giant self from the Plastic Beach Storyline -The skeleton wearing glasses is Daley from the Doncamatic music video (thx for the fix comment section) -Skeleton of the Black Cloud Pilot from the Rhinestone Eyes animatics -Noodle finds her cracked butterfly mask washed up in the sand from the Plastic Beach Storyline -Cyborg Noodle washed up in Daley’s submarine (also from the Doncamatic music video) graffitied with the word RINGO. This is the name of the ship that Murdoc encountered in his book “The Book of Murdoc” -Murdoc sheds a tear after seeing the state of Cyborg Noodle -Leee John: King of The Sea -Leee John has 2 broken chain cuffs on his wrists, possibly revealing that he has been held captive under Plastic Beach since the very beginning of that album -The ruined ship where the Boogeyman summoned the crew of the Black Cloud in the Rhinestone Eyes animatics -The submarine sinks into the depths as Leee John begins his destruction on Plastic Beach, revealing that Cyborg Noodle is STILL ALIVE! -During the destruction frames, Big Rick Black’s Record Shack can be seen. This is where Murdoc first abducted Russ to be a part of the band all the way back in Phase 1 and that gets destroyed along with Plastic Beach -As the portal reappears to help the band members escape the sinking island, Murdoc is almost left behind to die before 2D reaches through the portal to save him. This could possibly be 2D paying back Murdoc for leaving Murdoc at the docks during the Desole music video. Alrighty, that’s about all the major things that I noticed. Edit: I should probably include that the Pink Phantom escapes into the sky as everyone arrives on Plastic Beach

I haven’t seen all of Gorillaz music videos yet but this is the first time I’ve seen Murdock cry I actually cried too

Murdoc’s reaction to seeing Cyborg Noodle… I wasn’t expecting that💔

Me explaining the Gorillaz lore for 45 minutes at Christmas dinner:

Me, explaining the lore of gorillaz: "then leee john came out of the water and fucking destroyed plastic beach" My grandma, not knowing wtf I'm talking about: "oh my"

Danm leee john is incredible in this, his high notes are hevanly and he really rocks that monster costume. The laser eyes are gonna be something I remember for a long time. Really glad he did this colab cause it introduced me to his music.

this was so symbolic actually, their shared trauma that has been sitting over them for ten years is finally destroyed and they can truly move on.

The cyborg Noodle being abandoned all this time and Murdoc crying looking at her Plastic beach exploding Murdoc pushing 2D to the portal Murdoc almost being left behind in plastic beach 2d coming back to get him This is a emortional roller coasterl, I can't stop sobbing

2-D: *Throws up a whale* Also 2-D: “This is the perfect opportunity to sing.”

The way Murdoc cried at 1:38 after seeing that felt like a rare wholesome moment for him (Also I'm new to the lore can someone explain why there's two noodles?)

The fact that 2D helped murdoc up even though he did all that stuff to him on plastic beach makes me so emotional broo

The fact that Gorillaz has been making music for like 20 years and their songs are still bangers amazes me

I love the subtle references here. For me, my favorite one here is the skeletal remains of the dude from Doncamatic. What I imagine happened to him is during the song, he was basically making his way to meet the band maybe for a collab or something. Only to arrive with nobody present. His submarine not having much fuel left, he was there. Alone to perish. I could be wrong but if this is true, this is one hell of a sad and bit of a cruel way to die. Traveling so far only to see nothing and die for it.

2D's voice is always angelical, but he excelled in this one.

I love how Russel spat out Noodle just like at the end of the Rhinestone Eyes animatic. Jamie really didn't want to miss a single detail.

There goes the hope for a new Plastic Beach game

Cyborg Noodle didn’t just sink to the bottom of the ocean, she sank to the bottom of Point Nemo, the most desolate location on earth and farthest from civilization. She’s just gonna be stuck there.

cyborg noodle staring up while sinking is some of the scariest shit i've seen from gorillaz, makes me think she'll be back as an antagonist.

To be abused and tortured by murdoc for years, just to come back and save him from being alone and dying alone. 2D, I salute you.

Everyone's talking about 2D and Murdoc but- HOW IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT RUSS MAKING SURE NOODLE GETS THROUGH THE PORTAL! He's Noodle's best adoptive dad.

not me going back to check if the sea monster was flipping us off when it goes back into the water

2:20 I cannot help but laugh at this part, since it's like the sea man going: "you thought I was joking? You think this is a joke? WATCH THIS!" And my immediate thought is not "oh no, the beach!" But instead "Dang he really did go harder!" He went so hard he literally started blasting the place with heat/lazer vision.

After Plastic Beach and Escape to Plastic Beach, Gorillaz presents Return to Plastic Beach Edit: now we got Destroyed Plastic Beach :(

2D coming back for Murdoc is literally the most heartwarming thing I’ve ever seen.

Someone's probably already said this but it's just stuck with me how Murdoc was about to be left stranded on the place he used to call home, and the place that was basically a prison for 2D was kidnapped and held captive there by Murdoc against his will, got constantly abused by him, sat terrified in his room by the thing he's scared of the most (whales), fell into a deep depression; it was probably the lowest point for him. Plastic Beach was all Murdoc's doing, and he was afraid of being stuck there alone, stranded in what's a dark past, but *2D*, the person whom Murdoc has inflicted so much pain onto, came back to save him from the place that was once a hell. You can tell Murdoc regrets everything, the way he shuts his eyes after pulling the mask off, the way he cries seeing Cyborg Noodle. I would assume 2D had forgiven him, which is why he saved him.

This videos symbolism and message is beautiful but I couldn’t stop laughing at the laser eyed fish man 💀 Note: I think Murdocs growth was shown well in this because the old Murdoc would have jumped in the portal first yet he stayed to help everyone up and almost got left behind but 2D comes back for him because he knows he’s different and I just die it’s so well done and natural

Me: 2020 can't get any worse Gorillaz: *plastic Beach gets obliterated*

“Big Black’s Record Shack” THAT’S WHERE MURDOC KIDNAPPED RUSSEL PRE-PHASE ONE HOLY FU-

It’s beautiful how it is Murdoc Who helps every single one of the others to climb up the lighthouse pinnacle and that’s why he fell on the ground and could not make it to the portal in time before 2D came back for him. 😭 He really has changed and is a better person now, that’s my hope at least. Let’s see what happened with the cult 🤘🏽 (I apologize for every possible mistake, english is not my first language)

It's been more than a year since this come out and I still scream when 2-D grabs Murdoc's hand and saves him, is just amazing

2:41 why cyborg noodle looks like Murdoc tho

At this point we definitely need a gorillaz movie.

This shot right here 0:34 - 0:45 pure beauty

Everyone out here talking about how Leee John just killed Plastic Beach, while I'm busy wracking my brain on how he just killed THOSE FUCKING NOTES.

This is just a friendly reminder that gorillaz got a copyright on their own song

Even Murdoc cried, that’s how you know it’s gotten bad.

Lyrics: [Intro: 2-D & Leee John] I see myself going through the streets Think I must be dreaming The lost chord I want you toute ma vie (The lost chord) [Verse 1: 2-D, Leee John & Both] (Take me into the garden) I see rain's coming down At this time of year, I'm always in need of Of silent waves (Silent waves) The pulse on your face [Chorus: Leee John, 2-D & Both] The lost chord The lost chord The lost chord I go harder, harder (Take me into the garden) The lost chord (The lost chord) The lost chord The lost chord I go harder, harder [Verse 2: Leee John & 2-D] Music on my mind Break those chains, baby I just wanna find myself, (Oh) (Take me into the gardеn) I'm trying to find (Oh) You might also like The Lost Chord Arthur Sullivan Fire Flies Gorillaz DARE Gorillaz [Chorus: Leee John, 2-D & Both] The lost chord The lost chord The lost chord I go hardеr, harder (Take me into the garden) The lost chord The lost chord The lost chord I go harder, harder (Take me into the garden) [Bridge: 2-D, Leee John & Both] Pump me up heavy (Pump me heavy) Move me somewhere I can see the sunlight Take me into the garden The silent waves (Silent waves) The pulse on your face (Harder) [Chorus: Leee John, 2-D & Both] The lost chord (Allow me) The lost chord The lost chord I go harder, harder (Take me into the garden) The lost chord (The lost chord) The lost chord The lost chord I go harder, harder (Take me into the garden) The lost chord [Outro: Leee John] Tryna find my way every single day Tryna find my way I wanna be free I wanna be free I wanna be free Break those chains that bind me, I wanna be free (I wanna be free) Break those chains, baby Break those chains that bind me, I wanna be free (Wanna be free)

2D right after vomiting a mini whale: *beautiful singing*

Everyone: *looks over at plastic beach* 2D: "and thats when i started singing"

Everyone's saying murdoc cried when he saw cyborg noodle broken is because it was difficult to make her but I have another theory- Back when he first made cyborg noodle actual noodle was only a teenager, and only a teenager when she disappeared, that was also back when the band relayed on him a whole lot more than they do now, cyborg noodle might not have emotions or a heart but she still had a system and programming that needed to be attended to, she still needed a guardian, and since murdoc created her her he took full care of her, maybe not in a loving way of course but he still seemed to need to have someone to need him, another reason why I think he cried way because cyborg noodle was built with (at the time) present noodles likeness, which I Honestly don't get, he could've designed her to look like ANYTHING, but he specifically choose noodle, (I don't mean this in a shipping way btw don't worry) but I just mean that murdoc obviously has some bond and care to noodle, ever since she was a little girl he's taken care of her, murdoc niccals, a literal satanist, took genuine care of this random little Asian girl that just- SHOWED UP on his front steps, murdoc also seemed kinda numb after él manña, as if he was having to deal with noodle's disappearance, I mean think about it- right after noodle disappeared he made a replacement robot that looked EXACTLY like her, of course it could have been just for legal reasons but he replaced Russel with a drum machine and no one cared so how is this different?? I know it sounds dark but hey, it's Gorillaz- so- *I believe the reason he cried when robot noodle was destroyed was because* *She was a permanent replica of noodle when she was young, vulnerable and needed care and attention, which murdoc was happy to give in exchange for her bass skills, he genuinely felt happy for noodle and cared for her as a father figure, when cyborg noodle "died" so did murdoc's last chance at being needed*

cyborg noodle leering at them as she sinks to the bottom of the ocean is always...oof

Can we talk about the fact cyborg noodle was "alive" when she was falling out to the void???

Imagine going back to your house from 10 years ago just to see your friends (RIP Daley) and Cyborg doppelganger dead, and then your house gets destroyed by a chained up flamboyant sea god. It happens to the best of us I suppose.

me: oh hell yeah we're back in plastic beach leee john: NOT FOR LONG

Two years have passed since this song released, a lot has happened and it`s still a banger, thank you Gorillaz, much love to you guys and everyone in the community!!

Just a reminder that Leee John is frikin 63 and nails those high notes

Murdoc talking about Desole: I wasn't crying, my tear ducts dried up years ago Murdoc now: Cries in front of camera

The amount of talent in the song machine is unbelievably insane! I can’t think of any other band to include this spectrum of guest artist.

12 years ago was the Welcome to the Plastic Beach, 2 years ago is The Goodbye of the Plastic Beach.

that final moment of 2D going back to save murdoc is not only a great moment, but it symbolizes the themes of the music video really well. instead of festering on the trauma and feelings of the past and letting murdoc die alone and helpless (like he debatably may deserve for everything he’s done), 2D forgives and moves past it all. he doesn’t let those past emotions cloud his judgement or keep him “chained” down, and he goes back to save murdoc. it’s really powerful!

2d grabbing Murdoc's hand is so wholesome

Muchos recuerdos 😢 0:36 la máscara 0:46 Russel Gigante como cuando rescató a Noodle 0:55 el temor de 2-D a las ballenas 1:10 el fantasma 1:16 la Plastic Beach 1:25 los cuerpos que quedaron de la guerra 1:28 la máscara de Noodle Ciborg Noodle 1:33 la creó Murdoc para remplazar a la supuesta Noodle muerte 1:41 el monstruo que los estaba vigilando 😮 2:06 el barco 2:42 todo ese tiempo estuvo viva 2:55 la destruccion de nuestro estudio favorito 3:53 2-D le dio la mano a Murdoc a pesar que lo torturo por años

I havent seen anyone talk about this so I want to talk about it. I dont want to delve into the fact that this was pretty much all about murdoc realising what he had really done. That’s obvious. The part that really gets me the most is that when they were escaping out the portal, Murdoc was the one pulling everyone up and helping. Murdoc pulled out Noodle, Russel and 2D, I believe this is because Murdoc feels responsible over his actions now, and wants to amend. After he pulls everybody up and helps them out the portal, nobody is there to help him out in return, and this realisation is what hits Murdoc the most. It’s quite literally at that exact moment when he realises how he has made everyone else feel, because this time it’s the other way around. We can see this because his reaction is not the typical anger that would spurt out of him, the way that we all know how Murdoc used to act. He isn’t angry, because he knows that he deserved this. Instead he is scared.

When you think about it, this video is Murdoc having to confront his mistakes to a pretty severe extent. Plastic Beach was a disaster for everyone in the group, one that he pretty much hand-crafted: - He created Cyborg Noodle to replace Noodle after she went missing. - He was the one who pissed off the Boogeyman and his pirates and got people killed as the band was forced to split up. - He was the one who had the band relocate to Plastic Beach in the first place. In other words, pretty much most (if not all) of Plastic Beach is Murdoc’s fault. And in this video, when they all wash up on the shore, that’s why Murdoc’s immediately bummed out. Amid the band basically replacing him with Ace for a while, and then willingly leaving him out (as seen in the other Song Machine videos), they’re now brought to the biggest reminder of how terrible he’s been to all of them. And maybe he’s trying to get better, but Plastic Beach still stands as a monument to the terrible, self-centered things that Murdoc has done, and as another reason for the band to never forgive him. That’s also why Lost Chord (and Song Machine Season 1 as a whole) are so crucial to his character. Throughout the season, we’ve seen and heard that Murdoc is TRYING to be better. He knows he messed up, and he wants to take it all back. The biggest obstacle there is his own selfishness, and his awful treatment of the band thus far. That’s why Noodle and Russell are shown to be skeptical of him trying to get involved again, and why 2D is still constantly protected by the both of them, even as he’s come out of his shell in recent years. This video is the culmination of that; when confronted with a literal life-or-death situation, Murdoc finally gets to see if the band thinks saving, and worth keeping around. And sure, Noodle and Russ are quick to bolt and leave him behind, but *2D goes back.* 2D, the one whose nickname comes from the very first injuries that Murdoc inflicted on him (2 dents, cuz his eyes were all wonky after Murdoc ran him over twice). 2D, who has been used and abused by Murdoc over the years, forgave him. And whether or not that’s justified isn’t up to us; it’s up to Damon, and Jamie, and everyone else involved with the group. Song Machine S1 has been a narrative of finding brightness in the darkest times (which we’ve had a lot of, recently) and comfort in an odd world. By extension, saving Murdoc may not be the most justifiable action, but it was one built on hope. And, if Song Machine, the bigger Gorillaz narrative, or 2020 in general has taught us anything, it’s that hope is what’s gonna get us through this. also more like seeea john hahahah e: you guys are so cool and creative, all the elaboration and alternate takes beneath this comment and all the support is so great. the gorillaz fanbase is the BEST

Everything else in Song Machine: *absolute vibing* The Lost Chord: *Ptsd intensifies*