Beck has released unique projects that never fail to catch the eyes and ears of many kinds of music enjoyers. Ride Lonesome in particular, released on September 18, 2026, is a refreshing project that really showcases both the acoustic and deeper lyrics on love and loss. Beck has always been famous for incorporating various styles of music—this album is more in the range of folk, country, and soft rock. One man being so versatile and for such a long time, is notable to say the least.
Anyone who even occasionally listens to rock music has most likely heard Beck’s song “Loser,” a song that ostensibly proves he knows how to jam. If you are looking for anything similar to this song within this album, you won’t really find it. Previous albums like Hyperspace and Mellow Gold each showcase different styles of music ranging from alternative rock and grunge to hip hop and R&B. Each song in this new album is familiar to one another, but dives deep into a string of emotions that have you hooked from the beginning.
This is the first album Beck released in the past seven years. In 2019, Beck went through a divorce from actress Marissa Ribisi. This album was a testament to what he has been dealing with since, each song encompassing a variety of sentimental appeals. Although being music that surpasses traditional boundaries, this album is definitely more personal. Just the album title “Ride Lonesome” which is the title of the first song, shows Beck navigating his new life on his own and the circumstances that come with it. This song also stands out within the album. It is compelling and holds more repetition compared to the other pieces and perfectly encapsulates the themes of the album right from beginning. Every song after blends well with the one before it emphasizing the themes of grief to eventually an idea of accepting one’s circumstances. It is important to note the soundscape of the album, which is simplistic but done so intentionally.
Two songs in this album have the word “love” in their title: “For Your Love” and “If You Don’t Know What Love Is.” These songs don’t surpass six minutes, but you’ll notice that there aren’t many lyrics- which shifts a lot of focus on the instrumentals. Love is a consistent theme the entirety of the album, and you can hear it through Beck’s voice and the blend of acoustic guitar, soft piano, and the background of strings that tie into each lyric. The vast sounds of violin and cello are a reverberation of his work from Sea Change and Morning Phase, but with more of a decrescendo emphasis on this particular album. The guitar acoustics seem to be the most prominent instrument throughout. It pairs well with the unhurried voice of Beck and each lyric that is excruciatingly deliberate .
The album cover art itself is calmer- a soft setting that includes a wooden room, Beck sitting on a chair, and the curtains blowing. It is a large difference from the Mellow Gold album cover, which displays a robot with a flame thrower and a harsh red background. Album cover art has seemed to be less important now than in the past. It’s important not to judge a book by its cover, but the visual art is the first thing that listeners see before they hear the music- and that circumstance is something Beck has always remembered.
As stated previously, Ride Lonesome was released in September, giving it that end-of-summer, beginning-of-fall feel that is both hopeful and nostalgic. The Americana-folk vibe has always been around, and I believe this album couldn’t have been released at a better time. Listening to this album releases an emotion of a beautiful sadness, not enough to necessarily make you cry, but enough to appreciate the journey of losing a love you thought would last forever.