All aboard the party plane: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard herald new era with electro-boogie wonder ‘Le Risque’
The Aussie psych-rockers pay homage to both blues and synth-pop in new track.
Photo: Maclay Heriot
Followers of the lizard king rejoice! Everyone’s favourite modern-day Aussie rock band, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, are back with their first release of 2024. Following two LPs in 2023 (thrash metal PetroDragonic Apocalypse… and electro-pop’s The Silver Chord), Le Risque signals the dawn of the group’s upcoming 26th. Across the group’s 2024 world tour, multiple tracks have been teased and debuted, but this is the first taste of what to expect from the finished record. And it’s a hoot.
The first release since Gizz moved to their own record label (p(doom) records), Le Risque, the new single, is an electric number in the style of previous bluesy past endeavours Plastic Boogie, This Thing and Boogieman Sam – all tracks from 2019’s Fishing for Fishies. With a bouncy chorus and guitar tone like squealing pigs, it’s an energetic affair, among the biggest anthems in recent Gizz history.
It also marks the vocal debut of lifelong drummer Michael Cavanagh, pitting his chops against Joey Walker, Stu Mackenzie and Ambrose Kenny-Smith in what must be the most diverse Gizz track, singer-wise (Ambrose undeniably steals the show, howling “Hello, Evil Kinevil!” maniacally for a grand entrance).
The accompanying music video features the boys swanning around an airplane hangar, in jumpsuits and shades, boogieing away like lads on smoke break. There’s a theme of aviation throughout the upcoming album, from its title to the cover, depicting a 3D model of eight pigs on a large wooden plane, created by longtime Gizz collaborator Jason Galea, and theorised by fans to pay homage to the likes of Floyd and George Orwell.
One thing’s without doubt, though: Le Risque is a barnstormer in every respect, going back to the group’s dirty blues era – and treating it with the precision of a long-range missile. Flight B741 looks set to be one of Gizz’s most exciting ventures yet, and an embodiment of what makes Gizz so loved: irreverence, disaffection, geetar and massive choruses. Chocks away!
Flight B741 is out August 9th via p(doom) records. Pre-order via Rough Trade here.