House of Sugar- Alex G (In-Depth Edition) | Album Review
An experimental, captivating and introspective album that deals with themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.
There’s something utterly mysterious — no, mystical and uncanny about Alex G as an artist. Leaning on existentialism and harnessing weird soundscapes, House of Sugar is a landmark that begins his foray into grounded experimental indie music and cements itself as a spiritual antithesis for his 2022 album, God Save the Animals. With its dreamy instrumentation and poignant lyrics, this album showcases Alex G’s versatility as an emerging artist, musician and songwriter.
I’d like to open this review with a lengthy excerpt from an interview which addresses the question:
Why is this titled House of Sugar?
It sounds like, ridiculous, but I truly wasn’t thinking about Sugarhouse [a casino — now renamed — near Philadelphia] when I named it. There’s a short story I read called The House Made Of Sugar by Silvina Ocampo. I like her stories a lot and I think that title sorta got lodged in my subconscious, and so I was just throwing names at the wall and somehow that one came to me, and I forgot that I had read it in the story, I forgot about SugarHouse Casino, and I was like ‘Oh, I came up with this great name, The House of Sugar!” I think it probably is the result of all those different influences.
Introduction/Track by Track Review
Opening with one of the most ominous tracks I’ve ever heard, “Walk Away” utilizes reversed vocals like a proper instrument. It instantly fits in a thriller film soundtrack. The lyrics speak of the struggle to let go of a past relationship and the pain of feeling stuck in the same place. It seems to be an endless cycle of being addicted to someone or something and making false promises. A great use of the metaphor / symbol of Ouroboros in a song.
The next track, “Hope”, is my favorite off this album. The guitar strumming feels deceiving as it is awfully similar to an average country track. It’s catchy and upbeat but handles darkly subject matter in a subtle manner.
The first verse sets the story up in an honest and grieving tone. The track “Hope” on Alex G’s album is a tribute to a tragic event that occurred during his time living in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Inspired by a close friend who suffered a fatal overdose on fentanyl, the song is a poignant reflection on the impact of addiction and the search for hope in the midst of despair.
Although Alex G’s discography is popularly known for being soaked in the crux of drug addiction, like his Bandcamp exclusive track, LUCY, “Hope” is slightly more optimistic than previous songs he released, as it ends in an escapist manner.
Gretel
Prepare to enter the sonic world of “Gretel,” one of the most experimental tracks on Alex G’s album, “House of Sugar.” With distorted guitar riffs, an ethereal soundscape, and a frenetic drum beat, this song will take you on a journey of lost identity and searching for a way out. According to a recent interview, “Gretel” is a haunting retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale of Hansel and Gretel. In this version, however, Gretel abandons her brother Hansel to die in the witch’s candy house, or her “House of Sugar.” Alex G’s poignant lyrics, “I don’t wanna go back / But I’m afraid of staying here,” serve as a powerful exploration of the human struggle to find one’s place in the world.
Taking
In the hauntingly beautiful track, “Taking”, Alex G shares his disillusionment with fleeting beauty, observing the endless cycle of lovers coming and going. But amidst the melancholy, there is a glimmer of hope as he sings about being lifted up by someone he cares for, taking comfort in their tender embrace. With the repetition of “taking”, the song creates a powerful sense of continuity and reassurance, emphasizing the theme of human connection and the need for care. Alex G’s gentle guitar melody and soft vocals create an intimate atmosphere, inviting the listener to share in his emotional journey.
Near
Alex G’s “Near” delves into the longing for human connection and the pain of separation from a loved one. The repeated use of “you” emphasizes the speaker’s intense yearning, while numbers and elemental imagery add depth and mysticism to the lyrics.
Despite the emotional intensity of the song’s lyrics, the melody and instrumentation of “Near” are lackluster. The chorus and guitar and drum patterns become repetitive and dull over time. However, the unexpected conclusion of the song, with Alex seeing a wolf and begging to be freed from the relationship, adds complexity to the song’s theme. It left me questioning the speaker’s motives and the true nature of the relationship.
Project 2
A departure from the rest of the album, “Project 2” is a brief, experimental instrumental track that features glitchy beats and electronic textures. With reverberating vocals reminiscent of a church choir, this definitely made me float from the edge of my seat. Stellar production quality for an experimental indie album.
Bad Man
“Bad Man” is an enigmatic track that seems to explore the darkness within. The lyrics delve into themes of regret and self-loathing, as the narrator proclaims himself a “bad man” and wishes to take back past mistakes. However, the song’s meaning becomes even more intriguing when viewed in the context of Alex G’s own words. In an interview, he explains that the song went through multiple versions before he finally embraced its inherent corniness and leaned into it as hard as possible. He also mentions being influenced by other artists, including Tierra Whack and Lil Uzi Vert, whose extreme accents and short song structures inspired him to experiment with his own work.
It’s fascinating to consider how these seemingly disparate influences and creative choices came together to create a track that is simultaneously dark and playful, haunting and catchy. The use of synths and a southern accent add a layer of irony and complexity to the lyrics, inviting the listener to delve deeper into the psyche of the “bad man” at the center of the song. It’s unique and thought-provoking lyrics that showcases Alex G’s talent for blending different genres and influences into something wholly original.
Sugar
Transporting listeners to a dreamy world of weightlessness and freedom, “Sugar” by Alex G weaves vivid bird imagery into a poetic exploration of longing. With a repeating chorus of “you will be a bird,” the song becomes a mantra, driving home the yearning for boundless flight. The short, simple verses evoke a sense of timelessness and circularity, while the second verse adds an intense desire to be lifted up and carried away.
In My Arms
The song “In My Arms” by Alex G delves into a moment of intimacy shared between two troubled souls seeking comfort in each other’s arms. The first verse paints a vivid picture of their closeness, lying down together in a car with the seats removed. The repetition of the refrain “you know who was in my arms” emphasizes the deep connection they share.
The second verse reveals the man’s tragic past and his vulnerability, adding layers of complexity to the story. The line “you know good music makes me wanna do bad things” hints at a sense of danger and rebellion in their relationship. Through its raw and intimate lyrics, “In My Arms” portrays a moment of connection and solace between two people who have been through difficult times, ultimately highlighting the power of human connection and the beauty of finding comfort in one another.
Cow
In Alex G’s sentimental love song, the singer reveals how someone special helps him find comfort during times of sadness and anxiety. Interestingly, this person is referred to as a “cow,” which might seem derogatory at first glance. However, as the lyrics unfold, it becomes clear that the comparison is not meant to be insulting. Instead, it serves as a clever way to subvert the usual negative connotations of the term and draw attention to the loving nature of cows.
The “big old cow” in the song is portrayed as a kind and gentle creature that is always there for the singer, providing comfort and support. Through this unconventional metaphor, Alex G highlights the depth of emotion and connection he feels for this person, and underscores the importance of looking beyond surface appearances to truly appreciate someone’s inner qualities.
Crime
Alex G’s track “Crime” is a haunting and mesmerizing song that tells a story of love and obsession. The lyrics are poetic and intense, with the singer addressing someone named Lena and describing her as his only plan, his hero, and his alibi. The refrain is particularly striking, with the singer confessing “they killed him for the crime, but I know they’re mistaken, it was me the whole time.” The instrumental interludes that follow are eerie and unsettling, adding to the sense of mystery and danger in the song.
The second verse continues the theme of obsession, with the singer promising to do whatever Lena does and expressing a desire to waste all his time with her. The instrumental interlude that follows is even more haunting than the first, building tension and adding to the sense of unease. The song ends with a warning, as the singer tells Lena to be careful what she does or he will leave without her.
BONUS: SugarHouse (Live)
In “SugarHouse,” Alex G sings about the allure of temptation and the constant struggle to stay on the straight and narrow. He acknowledges his own weaknesses, admitting that he can’t always keep it together. He’s always waiting for another chance to indulge in the game of life.
But as the chorus hits, he realizes he’s gotta roll the dice and take a chance. He wants to be with someone special, but the SugarHouse is calling his bluff. He needs that kiss of luck to get through it all.
In the second verse, Alex G sings about feeling like he’s never been truly known, but he’s willing to take a chance with someone new. He suggests that they play together at the SugarHouse, letting the casino pick up the tab for their wild night out.
As the song comes to a close, Alex G sings about not wanting to be forgotten. He hopes that when his children dig into his past, they’ll be able to put the pieces of his life together again. The SugarHouse may be a suggestive site for the album as a whole, but it’s through his relationships that he might finally find a way to be whole again.
The instrumental outro leaves us with a sense of longing and a feeling that the game of life is always ongoing. The allure of the SugarHouse may be strong, but it’s through human connection that we can truly find meaning and purpose.
Overall score: 8.4/10
Colour me impressed. Alex G never fails to amaze me. Combined with his grounded songwriting abilities and an honest take on modern day vices, he’s guaranteed to leave a mark on the indie folk scene. Alex essentially elevated his cult like status to a whole new level by bumping up production quality and embedding rich, lyrical ballad-ish music.
He’s found his musical style here — almost.
Websites that helped out/Mini dictionary/Outro:
Alex G — House of Sugar Lyrics and Tracklist | Genius
Alex G is trying to tell you something | The FADER
Ouroboros: emblematic serpent of ancient Egypt and Greece represented with its tail in its mouth, continually devouring itself and being reborn from itself. A gnostic and alchemical symbol, Ouroboros expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form in an eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ouroboros.
The interview which addresses the title of the album in question:
http://www.phawker.com/2019/11/27/hot-freak-qa-w-phillys-own-alex-g/
Apologies for the late review and thank you for reading all the way. Been going through a lot of changes in my life, and I wanted to review this album as it’s motivated me through new events — both good and bad. Besides, I’ve been radio silent since 2022 (my bad), and with complaints about Medium getting stale, I’ve been contemplating continuing my reviews here or not.
Decided to reward you all with a longer, in-depth iceberg-type of review. I might make a TL:DR version of this later on. I’ll probably experiment with the formatting. Only time will tell.
If you have any album review requests, please put them in the comments, clap for the article (it gives me a boost of energy every time you do so), and until the next review drops, I’ll be working on another Alex G album, something else entirely, or I’ll drop one of my scrapped reviews for fun :)
