Album Review
5 Stars The result of fifteen years of exploration, polished.
Reviewer: Kayla Sandiford
Released: 18th July 2025
Label: RCA
To claim that ‘Headlights’—the tenth full-length album from Philadelphia DIY artist Alex G—is an evolution would be an understatement. Much of his prior work has taken on a fluid character, shifting through stark lo-fi sounds, frenetic glitch-pop, and the rich landscape of country-folk. This approach enables him to construct elaborate worlds where characters flourish as vessels for fragmented narratives and enigmatic themes.
In contrast to most openers in his discography, where Alex hides his vocals beneath pitch-shifting or dense distortion, ‘June Guitar’ presents his voice upfront, gently complemented by a straightforward acoustic melody and the soft rustle of airy percussion. ‘Real Thing’ continues with uncomplicated instrumentation and a wandering curiosity, reflecting, “I went out looking for the real thing.” On the other hand, ‘Afterlife’ defies Alex’s typically detached perspective, showcasing stronger vocals, bolder percussion, and a livelier guitar. It encapsulates the thrill of racing downhill and could easily belong to the deep cuts of 2011’s ‘Race’.
Conversely, ‘Beam Me Up’ provides a sobering return to reality. The melody lacks immediate clarity, instead settling into an awkward groove as Alex confesses: “Some things I do for love / Some things I do for money / It ain’t like I don’t want it / It ain’t like I’m above it.” This introspection is conveyed in a somber manner, yet he refrains from letting this level of contemplation become overwhelming. ‘Spinning’ quickly shifts back to the vibrant energy of ‘Afterlife’, led by electric guitar with resonant cello notes complementing the lower end. ‘Louisiana’ and ‘Bounce Boy’ cater to those seeking pronounced vocal effects; the former adopts a grittier tone while the latter is fragmented, energetic, and chromatic. He also carves out space for a folk-inspired track, featuring the lumbering strum and rustic harmonies of ‘Oranges’. Consistently inventive, ‘Far And Wide’ unfolds as an intricate waltz of whimsical recitation contrasted by tense lyrics and a string arrangement that crescendos to a disquieting peak. By the time the closer is reached, it is evident that ‘Headlights’ represents Alex G’s most cohesive work to date—the refined culmination of fifteen years of exploration.
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