Alex G: “Race” (Album Review)

Singer-Songwriter, Bedroom Pop, Slacker Rock

        Although Race is Alex G’s debut album, it doesn’t quite feel like a beginning. Scenes from these songs create images of ongoing struggles and insecurities. We’re diving headfirst in medias res as a spectator to the events and lives of strangers. As the first statement of a teenager, this record carries a surprising amount of nuance, striking the balance between thoughtfulness and the carefree nature of being young.

        Race does a great job of bringing the listener into Alex G’s wonderfully weird mind. Many of his lyrics are strange and can’t be taken at face value, featuring colorful characters with a plethora of emotions. Whenever I listen to this album, I feel transported away from myself. There’s a strange sense of comfort in having to adjust to listening to ideas that are so far removed from your own personal emotions and experiences. There’s a mystique in trying to decipher the meaning of the different stories and in figuring out what’s going on. Race is an album that offers an experience that is tailored to the individual while being anti-egocentric. So much importance is placed on the conversations around music, instead of the music itself nowadays, but Race is so contained within itself that you’re forced to be immersed.

        I would argue that Alex G is an “idea man”. At least, this is how he comes off across Race. While there’s strength in how he implements these ideas, I think the true success of the album comes from the creativity to even have them in the first place. Each song sounds completely different, and you’re really able to get lost deep within every track. There’s really an important quality of building or creation, which is how he’s able to explore various stories and characters. Additionally, this type of creation is perhaps something that could only be done by Alex G, feeling like a true expression of whatever his brain cooks up. With strong compositions that support the indie/DIY nature of the songs, it’s easy to be engrossed in Alex G’s stories. However, without the general charm of it all, it can be hard to gain a deeper appreciation of his music. In a similar vein, although a track such as “Crab” is narratively fulfilling, the writing on “Let It Go” is a lot more basic and one-note.

        Race can be described in many ways, but the foremost thing I would say about the album is that it is the look inside the mind of a creative. Sometimes it’s scattered and hard to grasp, at other times it’s unfocused, but all of it is beautiful. This record is the result of putting your ideas out into the world, and by extent putting yourself out there, having the freedom to make an artistic statement without the mingling of external forces. Alex G’s debut shows that he’s only in a race with himself, and he’s not afraid to take the scenic route. 

Favorite Tracks: Crab, Gnaw, TV, The Same, Race, House, Trash, Remember 

Least Favorites: Go Away

Enjoyment: Mid 8

Critically: Mid 8

Arbitrary Number: 8.4/10