Deadstick (song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Deadstick
| cover = Phantom Island Album Cover.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
| album = Phantom Island
| B-side =
| released = {{Start date|2025|4|15}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Boogie rock, jazz rock
| length = 03:36
| label =
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = Antarctica / Sad Pilot
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|H7t2FL1SRaE|"Deadstick"}}}}
}}
"Deadstick" is a single by Australian rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, released on April 15, 2025, as part of their 27th studio album Phantom Island.
Background
Announced on April 9, Deadstick is the second single from KGLW's upcoming 27th studio album Phantom Island.{{cite web |last1=Pearis |first1=Bill |title=King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard detail new orchestral album, share "Deadstick" video |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-detail-new-orchestral-album-share-deadstick-video/ |website=BrooklynVegan |access-date=15 April 2025}} The single's name is a reference to Deadsticking, or when a plane propeller stops mid-flight. The single's release coincided with a statement that the new album will come out on June 13, 2025.
Lyrics
An entry into the Gizzverse, the shared story across KGLW songs, the lyrics of the song revolve around Flight b741 flying into a storm and being forced to make a deadstick landing on an island.{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Jonathan |title=King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 'Stick' The Landing |url=https://www.spin.com/2025/04/king-gizzard-new-single-album-details/ |website=Spin |access-date=15 April 2025}} As with the rest of the album, the songs lyrics are less grounded but more melancholy when compared to Flight b741.
Reception
BrooklynVegan described the track as "a horn-filled, boogie-forward soulful rock song" while XS noize described it as "a giddy jazz-rock riot".{{cite web |last1=Milla |first1=Mark |title=King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Reveal New Album 'Phantom Island' & Share Lead Single 'Deadstick' |url=https://www.xsnoize.com/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-reveal-new-album-phantom-island-share-lead-single-deadstick/ |website=XS Noize |access-date=15 April 2025}}
Music video
Deadstick has a music video directed by Guy Tyzak that centers around the band dressed as air-force pilots, and actors dressed as tourists and the devil, dancing around a massive plane made out of cardboard that appears to have crashed.{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Walden |title=King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Announce New Album Release Date, Share New Video: Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/king-gizzard-and-the-lizard-wizard-announce-new-album-release-date-share-new-video-watch/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=15 April 2025}}