(Radio.com) Damon Albarn's enduring side project Gorillaz helped define the sound of the aughts, and pioneered the "virtual band." In collaboration with illustrator Jamie Hewlett, the scrappy band of cartoon creatures released four albums, and Albarn promises that their fifth is coming soon.

"Later in the year we'll be starting to get the whole Gorillaz thing together," the Blur frontman told BBC Radio 6. "I'm loving it and it's getting there. It should be ready fairly soon."

The new Gorillaz album has been years in the making: The Fall was released in 2011 and last year Albarn described the new material as "really fast." The frenetic energy should return fans to the days of 2005's "Feel Good, Inc." And if Fergie is back with new music, why not Gorillaz? Listen to Albarn's comments here.

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