Alex G – “Mud” (Singles Going Steady)

Emmanuel Elone: Alex G has to be a fan of Elliot Smith if he’s making this kind of music. Accompanied by a low-key guitar strum, Alex’s mumbled voice makes him sound like the depressed, lonely artist that Smith was. The lyrics are quite poetic and enigmatic, especially with the refrain “I know something you don’t know.” Normally, I hate musicians who wear their influences on their sleeve, but Alex G does such a good job at recreating Elliot Smith’s sound that I would be lying if I said that I disliked it. [7/10]

Chris Ingalls: The sparse, earthy arrangement really works here, the simplicity almost gives everything a minimalist, droning feel. This is one of those tracks where I hope the rest of the album’s songs offer a little more variety. But by itself, this is lovely. [7/10]

Pryor Stroud: Alex G’s “Mud” is a whispered, sheepishly adolescent, eyes-cast-to-the-ground apology laced with feathery acoustic strumming that sounds like it’s afraid to speak its mind — or even to speak up at all. Precisely because of this reticence, though, the guitarwork emits an irrefutable sincerity that pastels the rest of the track with added vibrancy and conviction. “I know / Something you don’t know,” he repeats, and you can feel his secret swimming beneath the lyric, waiting to rise out but ultimately lacking the courage to make it past his lips. [6/10]

Chad Miller: The straight pulse kept by the guitar creates a beautiful platform on which to place such a sincere sentiment. Sometimes the music seems more profound than the lyrics are, but at least they feel honest. [7/10]

SCORE: 6.75