King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Deadstick Review

Once more unto the breach for King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Their ever-changing rock sound is not a gimmick; it is an incredible expression of their talents. Understanding the fundamentals of the genre they work in, identifying what works for them and developing it further as they so often do, should create jealousy or inspiration, either, really, for any artist. Few are doing it quite like King Gizzard, and they prove their unique qualities once more with Deadstick, the second single from their upcoming album. It feels like a mighty long wait for their upcoming release, but this is in the context of their continuous productivity. Deadstick serves as a taste of the big band feel, the bigger range of instrumentals the band wishes to deploy on their latest creation after the softer rock touch of Flight B741. Deadstick is tremendous. That is no surprise. 

What is a surprise is how King Gizzard incorporates those new, brass tones into their creative style. It is a match made in heaven, though they are not the first to discover this big band feel. Fly high with the band, as they do here, and take a break from the rage. Deadstick serves as a slice of escapism, a chance to break from the menace and meaningless from the rest of the world. King Gizzard prove themselves dependable once more with their unique slice of energetic playing style. They incorporate cross-release storytelling, the landing of a pig-stocked plane from the cover of Flight B741 carries on into the storm-chasing of Deadstick. A forced landing without power sounds like a menacing experience, but the music on show here throughout this Phantom Island single is anything but. King Gizzard has offered a tertiary layer of storytelling which will no doubt be fun for dedicated fans, though may find an indifferent crowd in the wider listeners.  

Still, there is no reason to be up against the wall when presented with storytelling thrills. A bouncing joy is present on Deadstick not just as a contrast to the story at hand but as another instrumental challenge. Their big band appeal features everything from harmonies to familiar guitar riffs, all of it crashes into one another with a spontaneous thrill flickering throughout. Boogie on through the crash. Deadstick has the overwhelming sound, the bombastic thrill and adrenaline of being involved in some fresh experience. That is what we must fight for, even if it means a dead plane crashing onto an island where this next King Gizzard release will take place. Their overarching story is a welcome addition, another plate to spin now the band has found their balance.  

King Gizzard remains a thrill of a band to experience. Their larger-than-expected consistencies are carried forward here, and just when it looks as though the band has hit on everything they could in one genre, they pivot. A new sound is presented, a fresh styling to their reactive and energetic performances. Once more the band finds a thrill and flies well with it. A narrative spectacle where dialogue pieces a brighter, lighter story together. Even with the lighter tones to this instrumental, the increased tempo and the rising inclusion of brass, there is a death wish, adrenaline-fuelled charge found in the song. Those repetitions of “mayday” highlight the spiral, the urgency and fear in the lyrics is contrast brilliantly by the playful instrumentals, the defining part of King Gizzard over the last few years.