G-Eazy, Everything’s Strange Here | Album Review 💿

Give G-Eazy credit for experimenting on Everything’s Strange Here, but he’s best suited as a rapper as opposed to an alternative artist.

Everything’s Strange Here. Indeed, G-Eazy, indeed.  Honestly, he could’ve inserted and expletive to drive home his point, and I wouldn’t have been mad at him. Give Gerald Gillum credit for opting for a different direction on his fourth studio album.  After three albums chocked-full of f-boy rap (in many instances), not to mention EPs as well, a shakeup wasn’t a bad idea.  The thing is, personally, listening to Everything’s Strange Here, I find it strange not to hear Eazy rapping, against banging beats, even if his rhymes tend to be more shallow than profound. Lord knows we’ve heard more than enough times about the pleasure he’s been receiving… Kudos for experimenting, but Everything’s Strange Here is indeed strange…

“Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime”

G-Eazy actually gets off to a good start with ✓ “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime”.  This is a cover of British pop band, The Korgis.  Ultimately, the James Warren-penned classic gets a respectable interpretation, overall. While the harmonic scheme remains true to the original, the production is updated to make it sound ‘brand-new’ and idiomatic of 2020. Honestly, it’s one of the better moments from Everything’s Strange Here.  As the opener, it gives the listener hope that there are possibilities that this could be a successful album.

✓ “Free Porn Cheap Drugs” confirms the change of pace for G-Eazy.  Not only does he sing on this original, the backdrop (produced by Jesse Ack and Austin Ward) is quite a far cry from a hip-hop backdrop.  Sure, there’s a ‘vibe,’ but it’s alternative rock oriented to the core. What should be appreciated about “Free Porn Cheap Drugs” is appreciate the innovative spirit exhibited; it’s a surprising shift. The form isn’t standard, even if it uses a chorus (twice) and one verse. Also, despite its bold title, lyrically, Eazy is far more conservative than normal:

“This vicious cycle spins and spins
It picks back up where it begins
Is this how the story ends?
Free porn, cheap drugs, and late-night friends...”

What does one make of “Free Porn Cheap Drugs?” Honestly, I’m still not sure! Within the context of an unpredictable, experimental album, like “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime,” it ranks among the better moments.

“Back to What You Knew” 

“Back to What You Knew” also has its moments, to be honest.  The instrumental supporting G-Eazy is pretty sweet, with the detuned guitars, keyboards, and dusty drum groove. As much as ‘vibe’ is thrown around these days, this is a perfect example.  That said, I certainly prefer the vibe to the vocal performance, which is clearly less triumphant by my estimations.  “Back to What You Knew” eclipses “All the Things You’re Searching For,” which is the first song that really makes me cry foul.  Why does this particular song irk me? Probably because it’s that stereotypical pop/rock sound, coupled with the fact that it is a cheesy couple collaboration (it features girlfriend, Ashley Benson, as well as Kossisko). It’s just not my cup of tea.

“You are the one I dream about / You’re the one I can’t live without / I want your love; I don’t want the clout / There’s nothing else I give a fuck about.” ✓ “Stan By Me” is no masterpiece, but it’s definitely hookier than most of Everything’s Strange Here.  Marshmello gives G-Eazy a pretty cool backdrop that has a more pronounce pop sound compared to everything else. He’s focused on a favorite topic – women.  That said, he’s a ‘stan’ for this particular woman (cough, Ashley Benson), which is certainly a more monogamous stance.  The chorus is simple, but tuneful and ultimately, quite effective, with a post-chorus emphasizing his ‘stan’ status. Besides the catchiest sections of “Stan By Me,” the verses are colorful, and certainly more in line of what’s expected of Eazy, with a reference to OnlyFans on the first verse, and tripping acid on both verses.

“In the Middle” 

Vibe goes a long way on “In the Middle,” particularly if you’re skeptical of G-Eazy’s vocals. I do appreciate the expressiveness of his performance, if nothing else.  On “Nostalgia Cycle,” the emotions and reflectiveness are also on full display: “I miss the way I felt when I had no regrets / Before I lost myself in so much random sex.”  Again, I’m less sold on Gerald as the most authentic singer as opposed to his rapping skills – it’s a hard adjustment.  That said, I see some potential even if I’m not sure he’s fully realized this experimental side.

“Every Night of the Year,” unfortunately, was a TOTAL DRAG. Over five minutes of hearing Gerald sing on this cringe-worthy number was totally unnecessary.  This may be the song that irks TF out of me the most, ugh.  Arguably, “Every Night of the Year” may not have ‘tickled my fancy’ even if it had been shortened, but man, it was definitely worth trying anything to improve this one…

Homestretch of Everything’s Strange Here is interesting.  G-Eazy covers the David Bowie Blackstar standout, “Lazarus”,  which is interesting.  I appreciate the hip-hop ambitions of the production, and even find the effects-heavy vocals ‘innovative.’  That said, Bowie definitely didn’t need Gerald Gillum to even attempt to cover his gem, and the original has no competition. ✓ “Had Enough” concludes the album as the most ‘hip-hop’ song to grace the album.  It’s not a surefire hit by my estimations, but it’s truer to the cocky, overconfident artist we are accustomed to.  Furthermore, he actually raps, which to me, still feels like the lane G is better off staying in.

Final Thoughts 

Going in, we knew that Everything’s Strange Here was an experimental, about face for G-Eazy, so there’s that.  Ultimately, as I expected and feared, Everything’s Strange Here falls short.  There are actually some interesting ideas and moments, but as a cohesive project, this sounds like an artist who isn’t quite sure what his next musical move is, or he’s in transition.  Yes, we get tired of hearing him elevate himself on a pedestal, particularly regarding the many notches on his belt, but I’m skeptical if even the most dedicated Eazy fans will totally ‘Stan’ him on this one.  Hey, wouldn’t be the first time a hip-hop artist went against the grain with meh results at best.

✓ Gems: “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime,” “Free Porn Cheap Drugs,” “Stan By Me” & “Had Enough” 

G-Eazy • Everything’s Strange Here • RCA • Release: 7.1.20

Photo Credit: RCA