Album of the Week: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Phantom Island
Staff Review
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are back! The ever-prolific Australian outfit return with Phantom Island, their 27th studio album, a number that suggests rock elder statesmen deep into their careers, yet the band only released their debut in 2012. Such is the relentless creative energy of this remarkable group.
Phantom Island follows last year’s Flight b741, and in many ways feels like its sibling, though with a few key differences. Like its predecessor, Phantom Island is rooted in the classic, roots-oriented rock of 1970s jam bands. But this time, the band is joined by British composer Chad Kelly, whose lush orchestral arrangements elevate the album into sweeping, sun-drenched terrain. Kelly’s contributions enfold KGLW’s trademark mix of psych-rock, krautrock, and blues rock into something expansive, breezy, and thoroughly feel-good.
Despite often grappling with themes of political and environmental decline, Phantom Island brims with a palpable joy. Frontman Stu Mackenzie and co. once again channel the sheer thrill of writing, recording, and performing into their music. Resulting in a collection of ten tracks that sound like an absolute blast to make. As with much of their catalogue, these songs balance impeccable pop hooks and sunny melodies with complex, shape-shifting arrangements that seem to joyfully wander wherever inspiration takes them.
Tracks like Deadstick, Lonely Cosmos, Eternal Return, and Panpsych exemplify this approach. Across these songs, the band evokes a kind of cross-pollination between the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Little Feat, and Steely Dan. There’s also a spark reminiscent of Super Furry Animals, that same sense of playful genre revival and deep knowledge and appreciation of sound.
Later in the album, new textures emerge. The stellar Spacesick and Aerodynamic nod to the psychedelic funk of Funkadelic and Parliament, as well as the jazz-funk fusions of Donald Byrd, though blended with proto-punk sound of psychedelic garage rock. Aerodynamic, in particular, features a curious melodic motif that, whether intentionally or not, echoes Nirvana’s 2002 single You Know You’re Right, though here it’s spun with more cheer than pain.
Sea of Doubt dips back into folk and blues-inspired rock, with buoyant instrumental flourishes that wouldn’t feel out of place on Paper Mâché Dream Balloon. The album closes with Grow Wings and Fly, a track that nods to the band’s krautrock origins. Its driving motorik rhythm is layered with guitar licks that channel the chooglin’ spirit of Duane Allman or Allen Collins, rather than the crystalline futurism of Michael Rother.
Phantom Island is yet another excellent addition to one of modern music’s most sprawling and adventurous discographies. For longtime fans, it should prove a delight. For newcomers, this might just be the album that finally pulls you into the Gizz-verse
