"The Mountain" is Gorillaz' ninth studio album, a sprawling soundscape of instruments and sounds, richly underpinned with Voices, melodies and infectious beats, comprising a collection of 15 songs that epitomize Gorillaz' collaborative ethic. The album features exceptional artists and contributors including: Ajay Prasanna, Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash, Anoushka Shankar, Asha Bhosle, Asha Puthli, Bizarrap, Black Thought, Gruff Rhys, IDLES, Jalen Ngonda, Johnny Marr, Kara Jackson, Omar Souleyman, Paul Simonon, Sparks, TRUENO and Yasiin Bey, as well as the voices of friends and contributors who have already passed on, including Bobby Womack, Dave Jolicoeur, Dennis Hopper, Mark E Smith, Proof and Tony Allen. "The Mountain" is a playlist for a party on the border between this world and what comes after, exploring the journey of life and the thrill of existence. Produced by Gorillaz, James Ford, Samuel Egglenton and Remi Kabaka Jr. as well as Bizarrap (Orange County), "The Mountain" was recorded at Studio 13 in London and Devon, various locations in India including Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajasthan and Varanasi, as well as Ashgabat, Damascus, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. The album features artists singing in five languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish and Yoruba. Jamie Hewlett's album cover features the band's four popular characters - Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D - in a collection of beautifully detailed, hand-drawn illustrations.