Gorillaz Stream Plastic Beach on March 1, Premiere "Stylo" Video And "Superfast Jellyfish" Track

Gorillaz, the animation-friendly band led by Blur's Damon Albarn, will premiere its latest cartoon odyssey for the single "Stylo" via YouTube on March 2. The band's third album Plastic Beach will stream on NPR.org as part of the "Exclusive First Listen" series beginning this Monday. The record, the band's first since 2005, drops on March 9 on Virgin in the States.

The "Stylo" video, which you will also be able to find on Gorillaz.com, was directed by Jamie Hewlitt and produced by Cara Speller with the fabulously-named Zombie Flesh Eaters. A press release describes - in a roundabout way - the animated clip as following "Gorillaz bass demigod Murdoc Niccals through a dangerous trip to the mainland from his new home on the Plastic Beach namesake of the new record."

"Something goes badly wrong," the synopsis continues, "and Murdoc, guitarist/Cyborg Noodle - who has replaced her (its?) flesh and blood counterpart since the original's apparent demise in the previous Demon Days' final video 'El Manana' - and vocalist 2D end up in a high speed car chase with a local cop and an unknown assailant. Cyborg Noodle's circuits start failing and 2D fears for their lives as the gun toting bounty hunter draws ever closer."

The "Stylo" clip will probably easier to navigate than its description. The buoyant, smoothly soulful single features Albarn, Mos Def and R&B legend and songwriter Bobby Womack.

The band has also debuted another track from the new album called "Superfast Jellyfish" which features Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys, De La Soul and a brief end-of-song appearance from Albarn. Since EMI is cranky about embeds, you'll find it here.

Gorillaz are one of the headliners at this year's Coachella Festival and it's likely that more dates will be announced. We'll keep you posted.