Gorillaz tap ScHoolboy Q for “Pac-Man,” a trippy jam that finds the TDE emcee comfortably in the zone.

While Gorillaz have proven themselves to be a creative and musically dynamic collective, it’s not common that rappers snap over their concoctions. Yet on this new Song Machine drop, the Damon Albarn brainchild taps ScHoolboy Q to do exactly that — albeit not at first. Like a methodical writer, the TDE rapper takes his time in heating up, navigating the synthesizers like one dipping their toes in a relatively chilly pool. Of course, all of this transpires after Albarn’s own vocal contribution, which arrives in typically aloof Gorillaz fashion.

As the instrumental evolves, Q kicks up his intensity as he locks into a focused pocket. “I’ve been at the top of the top, fell from the ceiling before I failed,” he spits, as guitars enter the mix. “Cause I needed to grow, Bruce Leroy with the glow, live on the edge fuck trying to dream in a bed, before he die on these meds, a n***a gon’ die in the feds.” While a little different from his usual vibe, it’s nice to see Q remaining potent on the mic, leaving us wondering whether he’s sitting on with his next release. What do you think of this latest Gorillaz drop?

—HNHH