“Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez” – Songs Ranked

Though I was a little mixed on “Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez” on its initial release, it’s grown to become one of my favourite Gorillaz albums.

I really love a lot of the tracks here, and the bonus ones aren’t half bad either. Let’s rank them all!

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Meh

17 – Dead Butterflies

The worst of all the songs on “Song Machine” isn’t a throwaway bonus track, but actually one of the tracks from the main album.

“Dead Butterflies” has a sort of Spanish Trap feel, and I don’t like it very much.

16 – MLS

“MLS” is a tacky bonus track that I’m glad didn’t make the final cut.

OK

15 – Simplicity

As the title suggests, “Simplicity” won’t exactly knock your socks off but it has an alright groove.

14 – How Far?

It’s okay, but “How Far?” feels too far removed from a Gorillaz song.

13 – Friday 13th

“Friday 13th” was one of the first singles to come out of the album, but I wasn’t that into it.

It feels very one-note and simple, and perhaps should’ve been left on the cutting room floor.

12 – With Love To An Ex

I’m on the fence about “With Love To An Ex” – on the one hand it has a fun party groove, but on the other it’s not a Gorillaz song in the slightest.

Good

11 – Chalk Tablet Towers

One of the more underwhelming songs on the main tracklist, “Chalk Tablet Towers” has a melody that gets in your head but not as much depth as I would’ve liked.

10 – Severed Head

One of the weirder bonus tracks, but I can dig it.

9 – The Pink Phantom

I love the Elton John and 6LACK features, but “The Pink Phantom” is too drawn-out and plodding to be a classic.

8 – Opium

My favourite bonus track by quite a margin, “Opium” is off-beat and ingenious enough that I feel it should’ve made the cut.

It has some of the most interesting production and songwriting on the entire album, and I feel it could’ve replaced one of the weaker tracks.

7 – Pac-Man

“Pac-Man” is a strange concept for a song, and the execution is just as bizarre, but it somehow works.

The lyrical delivery from both Albarn and ScHoolboy Q has great flow, and the mellow backdrop works well.

6 – Momentary Bliss

The first single, and the final song from the main album, “Momentary Bliss” took some getting used to but it’s now won me over.

Those opening guitar chords set the vibe immediately, and the energetic vocals would get anyone pumped.

Great

5 – Strange Timez

A great album needs a great opener, and “Strange Timez” was nothing like what I expected.

Robert Smith’s vocals are fantastic, and the spacey synths hook you within the first few seconds.

4 – The Lost Chord

“The Lord Chord” is probably the most underrated song on the entire album.

It’s more mellow and melancholy than the others, but Albarn’s vocal delivery and the gorgeous melodies take it up a notch.

3 – Désolé

The top three songs on “Song Machine” are in a league of their own, and are quickly becoming some of my favourite Gorillaz songs.

“Désolé” is a beautiful low-key track, with an immaculate vibe and fabulous vocal performance by Fatoumata Diawara.

2 – The Valley of The Pagans

My favourite song from the album when it first came out, “The Valley of The Pagans” has a powerful groove that ropes you in on the first listen and never lets go.

I love Beck’s performance throughout, and the thumping bassline and drums really carry the whole thing.

Amazing

1 – Aries

Though it took some getting used to, I now love “Aries” dearly.

That guitar riff evokes such a nostalgia, like hanging out with friends on a summer’s night, and the choruses are the catchiest on the album by far.

Aaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: