I don't think they gave up, they just... changed.

Like, it kind of reminds me of the career arc Trent Reznor went through, except Albarn is still in his "trying to find his new niche after kinda crapping the bed" stage that Reznor got through much quicker. Humanz and Cracker Island feel like albums from an artist who's realizing he's getting old as hell and trying to find a new angle.