RACE by (Sandy) Alex G is a lo-fi gem that marks his debut album. Released on August 9, 2011, it showcases his raw talent and distinctive sound. The album features double-tracked vocals, meticulously produced textures, and dream-like lyrics. Each song feels like an innocent child’s toy with a hidden, eerie quality. While it’s not demanding, the melodies stick with you. The xylophone in “Trash” starts playful but grows eerie, and “Gnaw” features captivating offbeat leads. Overall, it’s an ambitious and charming introduction to Alex G’s musical journey.
Alex G released Race via Bandcamp on August 9, 2011, despite Bandcamp & other music platforms listing the album’s release date as January 1, 2010; the Bandcamp page’s HTLM code lists the date published as “09 Aug 2011 03:48:04 GMT.”
The release date discrepancy may be the result of a scrivener’s error, or more likely, Alex G chose the year 2010 as an approximate date of when he started to hand out CD copies of some tracks to his friends in high school. Nevertheless, Alex G released Race to the public on August 9, 2011.