Beach Music

Alex G - Beach Music
Critic Score
Based on 23 reviews
2015 Ratings: #531 / 1004
User Score
Based on 233 ratings
2015 Ratings: #162
Liked by 23 people
October 9, 2015 / Release Date
LP / Format
Domino / Label
Alex G / Producer
sandyalexg.com / Website
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CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Spin

Beach Music sounds like an assembly of parts that could collapse in a minute were it not for Giannascoli at the center holding everything together.

80
The Line of Best Fit

Whether it haunts you, puts you in a dreamlike state, or simply makes you hum along, Beach Music is an album which should be listened to without hesitation.

80
musicOMH

Beach Music never really settles into a groove with each of these songs sounding as if they’ve come from a different place musically and emotionally; although it is fair to say that Beach Music is perhaps a more melancholic beast to its predecessor.

80
The Guardian

While this style of 90s US alt.indie is having another moment, G’s debut is the loner colt among the show ponies. His lush lo-fi recalls battered VHS tape recordings of MTV2 reruns found in a bin and lovingly restored.

80
DIY

Like the previous cult favourites he has to his name, ‘Beach Music’ hits gorgeous highs without making a big fuss.

80
Tiny Mix Tapes

Beach Music, Alex G’s first major wax-plated step outside the bedroom is predictably secure. But it’s also exploratory of his changing landscape, one that’s situated like unauthorized speech-class notecards, articulating each situation and character but still allowing for cracks and incongruity.

80
AllMusic

Despite its experimental elements and trippy sensibility, Beach Music is relentlessly intimate, moving, and hard to shake -- a notable trait for a young if experienced recording artist.

80
The Skinny

Beneath the rough-hewn veneer and casual disposition there’s considerable ambition and imagination at play.

75
Consequence of Sound

Beach Music feels like the work of an artist a few steps ahead of his audience, jumping to answer their expectations of a DIY darling taking on the trappings of a label. He stuck to his roots, recorded at home, and embraced his eccentricities.

72
Pitchfork

What is remarkable about Beach Music is that some of these arrangements beg for you to dismiss them, the way you might have the very first time you heard Pavement, but what at first feels sloppy and clogged is actually intricate upon closer inspection.

70
Rolling Stone

Beach Music finds him expanding stylistically, song by song.

70
Loud and Quiet

There is a seam of quality that runs all the way through this record, and Alex G is a young guy whose talent does in fact match his work rate and eagerness to share his music.

SnowyFighter
81

Alex G is the king of short song titles

Woahhhhh okay this is my favorite one so far. It’s weird because I feel like this shouldn’t be my favorite one from Mr G, but it just is. It’’s a much more moody and patient record. I love the amount of variety here, and I feel like this album ventures off a little bit more than his past records. I really love that because sometimes it can get a little stale without it. A great example of this is the song In Love, which is my ... read more

fourtwenty
95

this album always gets a lot less love than most of his other projects and all I can say is THIS IS THE ONE. pure magic all over this record, just gotta let it show itself.

nemgax
95

makes my heart happy

Imlikesupercool
90

Another gorgeous album from alexg

IDAWON_72
75

Album a day 2023 #86
Alex g continues to impress me with his music, beach music has a lot more variety than some of his other projects and while a few songs fall flat it's more often consistent than inconsistent. Vocals are enjoyable as always and I think I only have one more album of his to do so that's exciting

holsgr
10

dislikable (★☆☆☆☆)

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Track List

1Intro
0:49
72
2Bug
2:39
74
3Thorns
2:50
81
4Kicker
2:50
81
5Salt
4:39
83
6Look Out
1:53
74
7Brite Boy
2:30
84
8In Love
3:30
89
9Walk
1:27
76
10Mud
2:00
80
11Ready
4:20
82
12Station
2:34
81
13Snot
5:03
88
Total Length: 37 minutes

Year End Lists

#10/SPIN
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Added on: August 17, 2015