Gorillaz’s “Plastic Beach” enlists Mos Def, De La Soul, Lou Reed and others to relay tales of a fictitious playa where life revolves around fast food, waste, plasma screens, broken hearts and easy money. The album blends orchestral interludes, heavy synthesizers (“Stylo,” “Empire Ants”), hip-hop (“Superfast Jellyfish,” “Sweepstakes”) and ballads (“Cloud of Unknowing”) with mixed results (Snoop Dogg’s vocals are especially incongruous). But with its daring concept and standout tracks (“Rhinestone Eyes,” the laser-beamy “Glitter Freeze”), Damon Albarn has once again produced the global soundtrack of the year. – Sofia M. Fernandez