King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's debut album, 12 Bar Bruise, firmly establishes the band as one of Australia's most unique upcoming outfits, with its confidently chaotic surf-rock feel and the musical complexity its vast array of instruments and vocal styles afford. The record opens with Elbow, which introduces the band's sound with a heavy, full guitar sound and punchy, catchy vocals. Nein reinforces this feel with a combination of heavy, psychedelic guitars and vocals that flit regularly between angelic harmonies and rough, raw vocal tones.

The title track, reportedly recorded solely on iPhones, is similarly rough but with slower rhythms and more understated vocal lines. Garage Liddiard is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, with fast guitar rhythms, incredibly energetic vocals and an infectious melody with a distinct country feel. The band's sound feels slightly more confused and overwhelming in High Hopes Low and Cut Throat Boogie, both of which feel slightly unbalanced in terms of their combination of raw guitar sounds and equally raw vocal tones.

The latter part of the album is far superior to the former, with the catchy rhythm and clearer vocals of Bloody Ripper making it a standout track. The group's throwback garage rock feel is typified, however, in closing tracks Sea Of Trees and Footy Footy. Sea Of Trees is simpler than many of the other songs of the album, but falls together remarkably well. Footy Footy is the record's highlight, as it is at once completely unique and incredibly catchy. Technically, the record is far from flawless and certainly feels misdirected at times, but it certainly makes an impact.