In an industry crammed with artists playing it safe, Alex Giannascoli, better known by his stage name of Alex G, differs from the pack.
Alex G evolves sonically with every new release, while simultaneously channeling the roots of his decade-spanning discography. From the independent environment of Bandcamp to signing a record deal with RCA Records, his 14-year solo career has been quite the journey.
Alex G’s 10th album “Headlights” was released on July 18th, 2025. His first under a major record label, many wondered how this release would compare to his previous work. Would it be a continuation of the Christian rock influences from his 2022 album “God Save the Animals”? Perhaps his newfound fatherhood would play a role in the themes of “Headlights”?
The album starts off with “June Guitar,” a track that would fit in seamlessly with his work from the mid-2010’s. The guitar chords in the introduction lure you into hazy scenery, a dreamscape of sorts. Alex G’s lyricism on this track is also reminiscent of his earlier work, discussing a relationship between him and another person. An accordion fills the gap between lyrics, displaying his wide arrangement of instruments.
Transitioning into “Real Thing,” the artist mentions his record deal. In a move that seemingly breaks the fourth wall, he sings “Hopin' I can make it through to April / On whatever's left of all this label cash.” Alex G isn’t oblivious to the fact that people know he’s on a major record now. The achievement may come with unforeseen byproducts, ranging from raised expectations to accusations of selling out. He isn’t here to flaunt the deal however, insinuating that it isn’t worth as much as people may think.
On the fourth song on the album, “Beam Me Up,” Alex G continues to let his guard down with the listener. To begin the track, he plainly states “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.”
When asked about these lyrics by Pitchfork, Alex G vaguely detailed an encounter he had when he was approached to make a song. “I was like, I don’t know if I am jelling with this, but I could use the money,” he said. Through this, Alex G once again displays the realities that come with his newfound position at a record label.
However, this isn’t the album’s only theme. Tales of relationships and self-growth on tracks like “Spinning” and “Far and Wide” are reminders that Alex G's storytelling ability hasn’t lost a step. The variations in his vocal melodies are as entertaining as they are brilliant. They resemble the distinct melodies that give songs like “Sarah” and “16 Mirrors” online popularity, despite both being released over a decade ago.
It’s this that sets “Headlights” apart from Alex G’s previous work. The bluntness of his lyricism on certain tracks is a side of his personal life that has rarely been seen in his discography. On other songs, he switches back to lyricism about love, sin and other usual Alex G subject matter.
Coming in at a runtime of 40 minutes, “Headlights” is the culmination of years of work in the music industry. The album is the most personal Alex G has gotten while still maintaining the mystique that has followed him throughout his career. As he describes it on the closing track “Logan Hotel (Live),” "I've been on the road for a long time / I’m about to lose my mind / Once you get the feeling you got two lives / Well, now you gotta pick a side.”
