For their 26th album, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard swap the widescreen concepts of their recent albums for the intimacy of six good friends collaborating on the most bonhomie-laden set they’ve yet committed to wax. For “Flight b741”, bandleader Stu Mackenzie says King Gizzard “wanted to make something that was primal, instinctual, more ‘from the gut’ – just people in a room, doing what feels right. We wanted to make something fun.”
Tapping into the country-fried 70s American rock on which they were all raised – along with the ornery garage-rock roots from which their mighty discography sprang – “Flight b741” is lightning caught inside a bottle. Across its 10 ragged, glorious barnburners, King Gizzard flesh out rough skeletons of songs with their inspired improvisations, inimitable grooves and a unique pass-the-mic approach to vocals that saw every member of the band raise their voice and sing.
“We’re having a lot of fun, but we’re often singing about some pretty heavy shit,” Mackenzie adds, “and probably hitting on some deeper, more universal themes than usual. It’s not a sci-fi record, it’s about life and stuff. But the record is like a really fun weekend with your mates, you know? Like, proper fun.”
King Gizz are back in their funk bag with “Hog Calling Contest,” the second single off their forthcoming 26th studio album “Flight b741”. The track chronicles exactly what’s shown on the album cover: pigs flying. This absolute pork puller of a tune sees Stu Mackenzie and co. stretching their technical abilities to the absolute limit with complex vocal harmonies and a bassline that refuses to quit. Complete with ad-libbed pig squeals, “Hog Calling Contest” sets up what will surely be a standout record from the ever-prolific King Gizzard discography.
Amby: Harmonica, Sax, Vocals Cavs: Drums, Percussion, Vocals Cookie: Organ, Vocals Joey: Guitar, Vocals Lukey: Vocals Stu: Bass, Guitar, Vocals
The Fat Angel Sings 