Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Interview and Review Of New Album “K.G.”

This is a clickbait title in that I and no one from fuzzy sun got a interview with Stu Mackenzie of KGATLW, however, I was able to listen to his interview with a British radio station available on Apple Music. Had to sign up for the trial to get to it though.

I was able to glean some cool and important info that I will share here with you guys if you are unable to catch the interview.

After that I also have some notes for each track on K.G. from my first listen and maybe you can listen along and see if your thoughts align with what I am thinking.

Stu Mackenzie Interview Notes

• Matt the interviewer first asks about how this Album was made. Stu lets us in on how it was made in isolation and the first time they had to record by themselves and put it together at a later time. STU: “I think it forced us to make a record we ordinarily wouldn’t make”.
• Stu also confirms that the “Vol 2.” on the cover of the Album is in reference to this being “Vol 2.” or the second part of “Flying Microtonal Banana”. KGATLW’s first dip into microtonal music. STU: “Of the records we’ve made that one does – it felt um – like something really fresh and really new and we popped open this idea and there was so much more to explore”.
• Stu describes microtonal music as having numerous “rabbit holes” to go down but with this record they chose one and really explored it.
• STU: ” ‘Flying Microtonal Banana’ felt one dimensional on purpose it was like – that ones got a style and a feel and a sound and a vibe and we didn’t want to do that with this one. Wanted it to be like a rainbow.” Then Stu specifically mentions the song “Intrasport” on K.G.. STU:”(It)pushes it sonically and texturally into some kind of rainbow territory.”
• INTERVIEWER: “16 records in 10 years do you think in 10 years time we’ll have another 16 records?” STU: “I hope so, I think we’ve had times where we’ve pushed the limit – 2017 with 5 that was not good for health or sleep or whatever. We’re still writing at the same pace as we have for the last while”.
• Stu then discusses how he is excited for 2021 and hopes for live shows to return. He then lets us in on a little look into KGATLW’s future. STU: “The project we are working on – I think will be the second record coming out next year. It’s the most melodic and also….considered…and also maybe psychedelic record that we’ve ever made…”

I don’t know about you but I’m elated from hearing that news. That means we have two confirmed albums coming next year. And one of them is Psychedelic!!! Fuck to the YEAH.

https://music.apple.com/us/station/11-20-20-king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard/ra.1540235332

K.G. Album Notes

I will first preface these track notes with KGATLW’s song “Flying Microtonal Banana” under the same name as the album it comes from. It makes so much sense in a way that this song is the closer of “FMB” (closest song to K.G.) and is the most eastern sounding whether that be Turkish, saharan, or middle eastern (I am not well versed enough to make that call).

Note the rhythm section –> drums and bass –> which drives a new feel in “K.G.”.

K.G.L.W.

This first track immediately evokes desert imagery. That of an eastern style unlike FMB which still roots itself in sounds that almost sound like they could fit in an Australian western with microtonal usage. I think this is a nice intro to acclimate the listener to this new soundscape. Acoustic guitar, claves, and the flute sounding synth aid in creating this sound.

Automation

Claps add to the eastern feel. The songs instrumentation and guitar tones make me think about Mdou Moctar and other saharan rock groups. Cool twist in that his voice has a synth effect on it that ties into the theme –> Automation. Desert yet sci-fi. Gizzardesque.

Minimum Brain Size

An effect on the voice that makes Joey sound similar to how he sounds on Polygondwanaland songs such as “Inner Cell” and “Horology”. Jam sections are great. Love the voice.

Straws In The Wind

A wild Amby appears with that sweet and sultry voice. The acoustic guitar that matches Ambrose with the melody is really beautiful. The guitar in this track and other songs throughout K.G. were recorded on Stu’s iPhone. Ambrose impacted FMB with “Billabong Valley” adding more texture to the album with his voice and he does it again here!

Some Of US

Up and down tonally. I lack the musical vocabulary to describe the rising and falling feeling. All the instruments help build and crash again and again creating a great song. Not my favorite on the album but I love hearing all the different ideas.

Ontology

WOO! The groove on the track is insane and the synth immediately transports me on a galloping journey across the saharan desert. I think the word I want is galloping maybe chugging is better? Possible favorite track on first listen through the album.

Intrasport

Out of the desert and straight into the club. A big surprise for everyone and definitely is a newer style for Gizz that I can only connect to “Cyboogie” maybe. Joey’s solo project “Bullant” is definitely rubbing off on this track. Plus peep cookie dancing shirtless in the music vid. My heart goes out to you cookie.

Oddlife

Continuing with my desert imagery the synths on this one are sprinkled throughout and definitely transport me to a night in the desert. Great ja and instrumental sections. Ambrose comes in when the song starts chugging right around the 3:10 mark.

Honey

This song was previewed months before the album and I see why as it is the easiest transition from past Gizz to the new album. In a separate interview then the one above I believe Stu said that “Honey’s” guitar riff was created years before deriving from a jam section on “Sleep Drifter” on FMB. The ending build is great. The video is also beautiful.

The Hungry Wold Of Fate

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Heaviest song on the album. That guitar sound is meaty. The delay pedal also makes its most significant (and only?) appearance on K.G.. Like all Gizz the song’s tempo and dynamics change around. Another favorite.

Can’t wait for 2021. This will suffice for now 🙂

https://kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com