Alex G is keeping the indie rock dream alive, and I don’t even mean that facetiously. Coming straight out of his Philadelphian bedroom, Alex G’s latest album Rocket takes its pick of influences from ambient noise rock to pastoral emo while remaining cohesive, held together by solid guitar-based compositions and a very earnest voice – “a brother is a brother and that is that!” Miraculously, the eclecticism on show here serves to reward repeated dipping into, and does not dare to distance potential listeners. This, however, makes the album quite hard to review; there’s something here for everyone and a sizable amount will be into the whole, though the lack of cohesion brings it short of a classic. If you like it, you’ll love it, and your mates will love it too, and you’ll feel real cool for having shown them: this album is good for you.

Review by Nick Morlet

This review first appeared in print volume 88 edition 5 HOME