The stinging kings are back with a brand new single and their first release of the year — 'Through The Trees'.
Roy, Lewis and Yimi from King Stingray joined Concetta on triple j Breakfast on Wednesday to chat about the fresh new track and what inspires them with their craft.
"I guess it is a bit of a metaphor for life," Roy said.
"And we're using the imagery of, you know, where we grew up in, and the location where there's these moments where you're driving through these sort of canopies of trees on the road, and then you come out the other side, up to a sand dune and a big view of the ocean.
"And it's a bit of a metaphor where you make it through a challenging moment in life. It's that light at the end of the tunnel sort of scenario. And I guess at a deeper level, it's a bit more about seizing the moment and pushing on through the challenges and the obstacles."
Yimi added that the track has "layers of meaning" stretching from the 17 seasons of the Top End to the Yolngu songlines that wind across Country and the ancient trees.
It's a driving, bouncy surf rock track that picks up the pace and energy and continues the signature King Stingray sound. Weaving Yolngu Matha and traditional harmonies allows 'Through The Trees' to build and swell, before reaching a stunning crescendo, like breaking through the dense canopy into the bright blue sky above.
'Through The Trees' is also another taste of King Stingray's second album, their follow-up to 2022's huge self-titled debut.
Roy told triple j that the album is nearly finished but is currently rising in the oven.
"We've sort-of done some quality control," he said. "Testing, trying bits, you know, making sure it's manymak, or good. And yeah, we're loving it! We're really stoked. We've got some awesome songs that we can't wait to share more of."
The Northeast Arnhem Land's finest will be hopping across the pond later this year to support King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard in the US (which is already creating confusion in planning emails). Fingers crossed they'll then be back our way with a hot new record to play.
Check out the ripe new track below!