Photo/Cover art by @jj_cool_juice
Renowned and prolific Australian rock band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have officially announced the release of their second album of 2023, The Silver Cord, set to release on Oct. 27. The announcement comes in the wake of their earlier release this year, PetroDragonic Apocalypse or Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation, which debuted in June.
The band took to social media to reveal key details about their forthcoming album, offering fans a glimpse of what’s in store, sharing that The Silver Cord will comprise a concise seven-song tracklist and feature striking cover art that has piqued the curiosity of music enthusiasts.
One noteworthy aspect of the album is that it will be made available in both standard and extended editions, a move in line with the band’s recent inclination towards composing longer, more intricate pieces. This creative direction was initially forged with the release of Omnium Gatherum in 2022, which witnessed the band embracing a more improvisational, jam-evolved approach to songwriting. Their musical journey continued this year with the aforementioned PetroDragonic, characterized by its expansive, multi-part song structures.
In a conversation with SPIN, guitarist and vocalist Joey Walker described the album’s sound as undeniably “synth-y.” While parallels may be drawn to their 2020 dance record Butterfly 3000, Walker emphasized that The Silver Cord embodies a distinct essence, shaped by the band’s collaborative process of creating music together in the same room.
Regarding the connection between The Silver Cord and its predecessor, Stu Mackenzie, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, offered his perspective: “I probably wouldn’t use the term ‘companion piece’ myself because I’m thinking of it like they are two records with completely different DNA and completely different personalities.” Drummer Michael “Cavs” Cavanagh also told SPIN he plays a 1980s Simmons electronic drum kit on the record, stating the project holds “disco and Kraftwerk vibes.”
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have also unveiled their inaugural North American tour dates for 2024, featuring four shows spanning the United States from August through November. For ticket information and a comprehensive list of tour dates, enthusiasts can visit the band’s official website.
Read Relix’s cover story with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard here.
See the post announcing The Silver Cord below.