

Something fun for the summertime.
From joke side project to university jam to international cult classics, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have certainly climbed the mountain of fame (via kglw.net). Despite their rise, the Australian rockers have made it a point to stick to their day-one “ethos of fun, musical experimentation and…high energy anti-perfectionist DIY approach” while maintaining an abundant release schedule (via kglw.net). A tenant they stick to on their 27th studio album, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard produce a feel good summer album in Phantom Island on which they get honest about what their fame has cost them.
Phantom Island, written at the same time as the group’s 26th album b741, became a home for the more “rowdy, rambunctious songs” from the joint album songwriting sections (via Spin). Phantom Island, thus, intentionally has a “party [feel that is] more loose … [and has] more upbeat features” and experiments with “heavy orchestra and string arrangements” (via Spin). True to its intentions, Phantom Island is a timely release for its laid-back, groovy feel and joyous, maximalist jazz, funk and soul-infused orchestral instrumentals (from the soaring strings on “Silent Spirit” to the lilting flute on “Panpsych” to the joyous horns/brass on “Phantom Island”) that simply scream summer (emphasis on simple). It is also interesting to note the release of the album within a seeming indie soul revival, best evidenced by the viral success of Jungle’s “Back on 74” and Rayvn Lenae’s radio-dominating “Love Me Not.” Though King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard stick to their psychedelic rock foundations as opposed to their peer’s electronic/dance and R&B respectively, the release of Phantom Island fits nicely within the current mainstream desire for indie music with soul inflections. At odds with the fun and buoyant sounds of the album (though consistent with the mellow, introspective indie soul cannon), are the rather sad and reflective messaging on the album as the group laments how success in doing what they love has come at the cost of time spent with their growing families and loved ones ( “I worry which reality (Reality) she would see/ Did I do it for her, or did I do it for me?/ As I compose myself emotionally, I have a vision of where she will be/ Pulling petals off a daisy/ Just don’t forget I return eternally”). The juxtaposition between the somber theme and uplifting instrumentals make for a rich listening experience but can’t seem to gain imminence over the feel good grooves of the album at large.
In sum, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard offer a pleasing summer soundtrack to its rich catalogue and provide some (unfortunately overshadowed) insight into the struggles of their current famed reality.