ALEX G - Headlights

Alex Giannascoli, known as Alex G, continues to stand out as one of the most eclectic and sophisticated artists on today's music scene. One of his defining traits has always been producing his work alone (or almost alone), giving his songs a distinctive lo-fi character. His reputation, initially built through online word of mouth, has since been fully and almost unanimously embraced by critics as well.

Now on his tenth studio album, Alex G takes the big step of signing to major label Rca. Such a move often signals a decisive shift toward the mainstream, but for now that scenario has fortunately been avoided. To be fair, his previous record, "God Save the Animals", had already marked a significant step toward a more polished sound, being his first album made in a "real" studio, in close collaboration with longtime collaborator Jacob Portrait, bassist of Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

With "Headlights", Alex G manages to keep the hallmarks of his "bedroom pop" sound intact without betraying the eccentric essence that sets him apart. His career has, in fact, been marked by work crafted with great care and few compromises, through a unique blend of folk, indie-rock, electronics and experimentation. "Headlights", written entirely by Giannascoli and recorded in various locations between Philadelphia and New York, unfolds as a fascinating collection of surreal stories and dreamlike landscapes, through a series of vignettes that move between the real and the hallucinatory, the nostalgic and the alienating.

The lead single, “Afterlife”, is an immediately catchy track and one of the most “direct” on the record. It stands out for its hooky melody, carried by gently strummed guitars and cryptic yet evocative lyrics.

His productions always show great attention to detail, clearly audible in “Beam Me Up”, where muffled guitars and almost angelic harmonies build ethereal, refined atmospheres. Likewise, in “Louisiana”, guitars take center stage again, this time in a more indie-rock vein, thanks to slow, obsessive, restless textures of great magnetism.

There are also moments of deep intimacy that vaguely recall those of another great artist, Elliott Smith; a good example is “Oranges”, the second single to precede the album: a melancholy, contemplative track with a deliberately ramshackle production that carries a strong evocative power.

On “Far And Wide” you can hear echoes of another particularly sophisticated and singular artist, Mark Linkous, aka Sparklehorse. Alex G shares with him the ability to build surreal sonic worlds and to make even imperfections sound fascinating.

The album culminates in a more rock-leaning track recorded live, “Logan Hotel”. The choice suggests a desire to stay in direct touch with his rougher, more authentic roots.

Alex Giannascoli once again proves himself to be an artist of great talent; one can only hope he stays this course without selling his soul to the devil of easy, instant gratification.

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28/07/2025