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**King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - L.W.**
★★★★☆

Just kidding about that breakup – King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are still very much alive and kicking, though after listening to "L.W.," you might wonder if they've actually multiplied into several parallel universe versions of themselves. This Melbourne septet has never been content to stay in one musical lane, but their February 2021 release "L.W." feels like the sonic equivalent of a mad scientist's laboratory where every experiment somehow works, even when it absolutely shouldn't.

"L.W." stands as the direct sequel to 2020's "K.G.," forming a conceptual diptych that showcases the band's current obsession with microtonal tuning and Eastern musical scales. If that sounds intimidating, don't worry – King Gizzard has a remarkable ability to make the experimental feel immediately accessible, like they're serving you exotic cuisine that somehow tastes like comfort food. The album emerged during the pandemic's creative surge, when the band members were scattered but still prolific, continuing their tradition of releasing multiple albums per year with the dedication of postal workers and the creativity of caffeinated art students.

Musically, "L.W." is a kaleidoscopic journey through psychedelic rock, garage punk, and world music influences, all filtered through those distinctive microtonal scales that give everything a slightly otherworldly shimmer. The production, handled by the band's own Stu Mackenzie, maintains their signature lo-fi aesthetic while allowing each instrument to breathe in the mix. It's simultaneously raw and polished, like a perfectly imperfect vintage photograph.

The album opens with "If Not Now, Then When?" – a question that could serve as the band's entire philosophy. The track builds from meditative beginnings into a full-blown psychedelic assault, with Mackenzie's vocals floating over a bed of sitar-influenced guitar work and thunderous rhythms. It's the perfect introduction to an album that refuses to sit still for even a moment.

"O.N.E." stands as perhaps the album's most immediate triumph, a driving rocker that manages to be both hypnotic and urgent. The interplay between the dual drummers creates a polyrhythmic foundation that's impossible to ignore, while the microtonal guitars weave patterns that sound ancient and futuristic simultaneously. It's King Gizzard at their most focused and powerful.

"Pleura" showcases the band's gentler side, with acoustic elements and hushed vocals creating an intimate atmosphere before exploding into a wall of distorted beauty. The song demonstrates their dynamic range and proves they can be just as effective when they pull back as when they're at full throttle.

The album's centerpiece, "Static Electricity," is a seven-minute epic that feels like a transmission from another dimension. The track builds layers upon layers of sound, creating a dense tapestry that rewards repeated listening. Each spin reveals new details hiding in the mix, from subtle percussion flourishes to backwards guitar parts that seem to exist in their own time signature.

"East West Link" serves as the album's most overtly political moment, addressing Melbourne's controversial freeway project with the same intensity they bring to their cosmic explorations. It's a reminder that beneath all the psychedelic experimentation, King Gizzard remains grounded in their hometown reality.

The closing track, "K.G.L.W.," brings the conceptual cycle full circle, creating a musical ouroboros that connects directly back to "K.G." It's a fitting end to an album that feels like both a completion and a new beginning.

What makes "L.W." particularly impressive is how it maintains King Gizzard's restless creative energy while feeling cohesive and purposeful. In an era when many bands struggle to maintain relevance album after album, King Gizzard continues to sound like they're just getting started. The microtonal experiments that began with 2017's "Flying Microtonal Banana" have evolved into a natural part of their musical vocabulary, no longer a novelty but an integral part of their sound.

"L.W." confirms King Gizzard's position as one of the most vital and unpredictable bands in contemporary rock music. They've created something that honors both tradition and innovation, proving that experimental music doesn't have to be alienating. In a world that often feels stuck in place, King Gizzard continues to ask, "If not now, then when?" – and then provides the answer