Music Review: Cult hero Alex G's ‘Headlights' is an introspective meditation on fame
This is the kind of wrestling Alex Giannascoli, better known as the influential indie rocker Alex G, performs on 'Headlights,' his 10th album and first on a major label. 'Has your wish come true?' he asks, perhaps of himself, on the aptly titled 'Is It Still You In There?'
Although Giannascoli achieved quiet success early in his career — collaborating with
Frank Ocean
on his critically acclaimed
2016 album 'Blonde
' and joining the R&B superstar on tour — Giannascoli has, until recently, been more frequently labeled a cult indie figure than a household name.
But the 32-year-old has risen to prominence in recent years, particularly after his 2022 album, 'God Save the Animals,' which marked a distinct shift from his austere, lo-fi sound to more robust production and instrumentation. He has since collaborated with the pop star
Halsey on her latest record
and scored
filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun's
A24 horror hit,
'I Saw the TV Glow.'
That trajectory informs Giannascoli's contemplative poignancy on 'Headlights,' releasing Friday. '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,' he admits on the 'Beam Me Up,' his whirring guitars strumming mesmerizingly against airy background vocals.
Many of his lyrics here, like in the past, are poetically inscrutable. But there are also moments of explicit frankness about ambition, self-doubt, transition and success. 'Hoping I can make it through to April / On whatever's left of all this label cash / No I never thought I was the real thing,' he croons on 'Real Thing,' as a pan flute synthesizer whistles underneath him.
With 'Headlights,' Giannascoli continues further down his 'God Save the Animals' sonic pivot to higher fidelity — perhaps to be expected on an album coming from a major label like RCA Records — recording in studios in lieu of his home for a more ornate sound.
Think dreamy synths and reverb-soaked riffs. Subdued lyrics and a distorted guitar solo almost turn 'Louisiana' into
a shoegaze track.
'Louisiana / Wild and Free / The only one who wanted me,' he repeats with distorted vocals.
If there is a central message to 'Headlights,' it appears on the song 'Bounce Boy.' 'I'm up in the clouds and I pray,' he sings with pitched-up vocals, one of his signature effects. 'Say goodbye / To the life / That you knew for so long.'
For better or for worse, there is no turning back.
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A sample of bourbon whiskey in a glass being evaluated. getty Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Traditional Barrel Series, Wheated Bourbon, 60.5% ABV, 700 ml. $152 Part of Heaven Hill's limited Grain to Glass initiative, this wheated bourbon spotlights local grains and traditional fermentation and distillation techniques. It showcases the softer, sweeter character of wheat as the secondary grain in the mash bill. Aged for 5-10 years, it's six years old on average. The whiskey is matured on floors three, four, and five in rickhouse W3. The bourbon features aromas of buttery pastry, dried cherry, cinnamon toast, and honeysuckle. It's smooth and velvety on the palate, with flavors of baked apple, butterscotch, almond nougat, and spiced honey. The finish is long and silky, with lingering notes of wood spices, cooked grain sweetness, and a subtle hint of aged tobacco leaf. Old Grand-Dad 16 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $206 This ultra-aged expression from the storied Old Grand-Dad label is a rare gem. Distilled from a high-rye mash bill and matured for 16 years, it offers a powerful and complex profile. It's bottled at a robust proof, featuring intense flavors and appealing to seasoned bourbon drinkers. The bourbon features intense aromas of leather, burnt sugar, aged tobacco, and stewed black cherries. It's robust and spicy on the palate, showcasing bold rye spices, black pepper, dark chocolate, black walnut, molasses, and charred oak. The finish is exceptionally long with lingering notes of black pepper, rye spices, and a dry, earthy leather note. Green River 1885, Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 42.5% ABV, 750 ml. $30 Revived in Owensboro, Kentucky, Green River is one of the oldest bourbon brands in the state. 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Low Gap Old Fussbudget 8 Year, Cask Strength Straight Bourbon, 46% ABV, 750 ml. $130 Produced in small batches in Mendocino County, California, Low Gap is known for its grain-to-glass approach. The Old Fussbudget is a high-proof, barrel-finished bourbon aged for eight years and often showcases a range of finishing casks such as port or sherry. The mash bill consists of 65% corn, 20% malted barley, and 15% malted rye. The bourbon features aromas of fig, pipe tobacco, espresso, and plum jam. It's intense and full-bodied on the palate, with dark chocolate, wood spices, prune, dried herbs, and candied citrus zest. The finish is long, dry, and warming with lingering notes of oak, bittersweet cocoa, and wood spices. The bourbons honored at the 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition reflect the incredible diversity and creativity shaping America's whiskey landscape today. Whether drawn from deep Kentucky roots or crafted by rising stars in Indiana, Texas, or California, each expression embodies a unique perspective on America's native spirit. From the accessible charm of Evan Williams 1783 to the bold maturity of Old Granddad 16-Year-Old, these award-winning bourbons deliver a rich spectrum of aromas, textures, and finishes that speak to both heritage and innovation. For collectors, connoisseurs, and curious sippers alike, these top NOSC medalists offer a masterclass in what makes American bourbon so globally revered. More From Forbes
