Long time Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett has said that new Gorillaz album is "really fucking special" and "can't be rushed". Hewlett said this to a fan who subsequently posted the news on the Instagram page of a Gorillaz fan site.

WE GOT JAMIE NEWS! This here is HIM and our friend Linda. JAMIE says new GORILLAZ is special, really fuckin special. Can't be rushed. 2017, yo. Fuck. So, guys, that Gorilla Fund, we got time. Go shop, take vacation, that shit aint happening this year. BUT its gonna be all that and more. And....Jamie follows us. So....you got something to say to him and don't wanna get yelled at on his IG by his very serious followers, say it here! HE IS HERE. Watching, reading and digging it. He loves this account and appreciates our repping. #JamieHewlett #JamieSaid #ThoseWords #FuckinAye #Gorillaz #Gorillaz2017 #ThisIsNotOurFace #WeTookThePic #HalfOfUsWasThere #OtherHalfInMontreal #Explanations #DidWeMention #JamieWasMadCool #Animated #Friendly #GangstaToo #HisShow #HisArt #SoCool #Go #IfYouCan

A photo posted by GorillazNorthAmerica (@gorillaz.northamerica) on Jun 12, 2016 at 6:38am PDT

The long awaited new album is now due to be released in 2017. It has been reported recently that the creator of fictional band, Damon Albarn has recruited a number of new collaborators. Chicago rapper Vic Mensa, French composer Jean Michel-Jarre and songwriter Liam Bailey have all been spotted in studio with Albarn via Instagram posts and tweets.
Hewlett is responsible for the design of the band and has been since their inception. He has been teasing new artwork for the band members via his Instagram page over the last few months.

Recuperation rock ?

A photo posted by hewll (@hewll) on May 20, 2016 at 8:38am PDT

#❤️

A photo posted by hewll (@hewll) on Jun 4, 2016 at 12:07am PDT

Gorillaz last released an album in the shape of 2010's The Fall. It does not yet have a title but long time band producer and voice actor Remi Kabaka is working alongside Albarn in a Chicago studio.