Beck's musical style has been considered alternative and indie. He has been known to play many of the instruments in his music himself. Beck has been known to synthesize several musical elements together in his music, including folk, hip-hop, funk, and blues. He has also taken music from Los Angeles as a reference point in his songs.

Pitchfork Media applauded Midnite Vultures, saying, "Beck wonderfully blends Prince, Talking Heads, Paul's Boutique, "Shake Your Bon-Bon", and Mathlete on Midnite Vultures, his most consistent and playful album yet." The review continued to comment on Beck, saying that his mix of goofy piety and ambiguous intent helped the album. Sea Change was called "evocative music", with country rock roots. The songs on the album also had "a warm, enveloping sound" with the help of his acoustic guitar.