Alex G, Philadelphia’s folk alternative sweetheart, who just recorded his tenth studio album, has had quite the year. Signing to major label RCA for his latest record, Headlights, Alex G has also been making the talk show circuit, recently playing his hit single, “Afterlife,” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
A song that features the mandolin and the piano, he was front and center singing a song that has been described as being about the transformation to becoming a father. “When the light came / big and bright / I began another life.”
Alex G, who has incorporated spiritual imagery in his music, particularly with his last album, God Save The Animals, appeals to people of all sorts of backgrounds, and his clever lyricism often gives voice to the transcendent and the loyalty of loving relationships.
Alex G's intimate rock has been compared to Elliot Smith and Neil Young
He has been on a number of labels, throughout his career, including Orchid Tapes and Domino Recording Company, but his latest move is a big step forward for the often DIY, homegrown artist. He even sings about his relationship with money on the latest album, for those who would question his integrity, moving up the corporate ladder, so to speak.
“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 quips on the song “Beam Me Up,” towards the beginning of the album.
If there’s anyone who should be climbing the ladder of fame and getting more exposure, however, it’s Alex G. His sincere and original music soundtracks life’s sometimes confusing, sometimes painful experience with gravity and grace. He will be touring North America in September with artist Nilüfer Yanya and then touring Europe through November.
His latest album, Headlights, which comes after the hit album God Save The Animals, is a twelve-track album of songs, including songs like “Afterlife” and “June Guitar,” and draws influence from such hard-hitting emotional songwriters as Elliot Smith and Neil Young. It has garnered positive critical attention, and with ten studio albums, it doesn’t seem like Alex G is slowing down at all.
Known for being a bit on the shyer and more introverted side, this must be a really stretching time for Alex G, but his songs, which are getting more airplay, might be one day remembered of the great songs of our generation.
One of his hit songs off his last album, "Runner," has won him countless fans, and his latest single, "Afterlife," which he played on Colbert, seems to be having much the same effect.