Michael Cavanagh, the relentless rhythmic engine behind King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, has officially traded the garage-rock grit for a lush, instrumental wilderness. His second solo album, 'Sojourn', is out now via p(doom) records, and it marks a massive evolution from his percussion-only debut.
While his 2021 self-titled record was a masterclass in solo drumming, Sojourn sees Cavanagh donning the hats of composer and musical director. Across ten sprawling tracks, he swaps the high-speed chaos of his day job for a wordless narrative steeped in spiritual jazz, Krautrock, and progressive grooves. Despite not playing pitched instruments himself, Cavanagh constructed the album’s skeletal demos using sampled bass and synthesisers before inviting a cast of Melbourne’s finest musicians to breathe life into the arrangements.
The record leans into atmosphere rather than ego, drawing inspiration from titans like Alice Coltrane and Herbie Hancock. The New York Times has already heaped praise on the single ‘First Light’, describing it as “...a breezy, upbeat tune that features the flutist and guitarist Adam Halliwell in colloquy with himself across multiple tracks, teasing out possibilities as Cavanagh’s beat hints at hip-hop, funk and jazz.”
Collaborating closely with co-arranger Jim Rindfleish (Mildlife), Cavanagh assembled a formidable ensemble including Gizz bandmate Joey Walker on bass, alongside Siwei Wong (harp) and Archibald Pommelhorse (saxophone). The result is a vivid sonic journey that feels like trekking through a mythical landscape. Unlike the lore-heavy "Gizzverse," the storytelling here is textural—think shifting moods and transformational sounds.
Eco-conscious fans will also appreciate the physical release: the limited edition ‘Clear Orange’ LP is made from 100% recyclable PET plastic rather than traditional PVC, housed in a thick brown paper sleeve to ditch the shrinkwrap.
To celebrate, CAVS and his full band will perform a one-off show at the Thornbury Theatre in Melbourne on 22 May. It’s a rare chance to see these complex, improvisational pieces come to life in an intimate setting.
Take a trip into the unknown by streaming 'Sojourn' on all platforms today and follow CAVS on Instagram for more rhythmic transmissions.
Photo credit: Sarah Findlay
