The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds turned 50 in May, and Brian Wilson is marking the occasion by performing the entire album—along with various other hits—nightly on a tour that stops at the Joint on July 1.

A massive departure from The Beach Boys’ usual sunny surf-pop, Pet Sounds contains many of Wilson’s finest moments as a composer, arranger and producer. The Beatles were such avowed fans of the record, they’ve said it was top of mind as they crafted their own psych-pop classic, 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. (One good turn deserves another: Brian Wilson has stated many times that he found inspiration in The Beatles’ Rubber Soul while making Pet Sounds.)

What, exactly, makes Pet Sounds so enduring and beloved? We gave the record a spin (or four) with fresh ears and investigated.

1. Its lyrics are straightforward—and vulnerable. Wilson’s sentiments are unsparing and direct, free of flowery metaphors and driven by raw-nerve emotion. Still, there’s complexity to the romantic musings and depth in the self-reflection: “Here Today” wonders if pursuing a love affair is worth the pain, while “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” overflows with longing over an unrequited relationship. The protagonist of “You Still Believe in Me” expresses deep gratitude for having imperfections excused, while the loneliness and social isolation of “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” feels heartbreaking.

2. Those classic Beach Boys harmonies. Wilson was a perfectionist during the Pet Sounds studio sessions. Considering The Beach Boys were already known for their precise harmonies, additional attention to detail produced dense, lush vocal latticeworks like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”

3. Its sounds subtly reveal themselves. Sure, the warbling French horn on “God Only Knows” and the flutes and strings on “Let’s Go Away for Awhile” are prominent, impossible-to-miss facets of the record. But no matter how many times you’ve listened to Pet Sounds, each listen seems to reveal a new instrumental texture or flourish—for example, the pitter-patter beats beneath the surface of “Sloop John B,” the imperceptible bass throbs on “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)” and the corkscrew percussion lurking beneath the instrumental title track. The latter comes courtesy of two empty Coca-Cola cans.

4. It doesn’t try too hard to be genius. Fans can usually tell when an artist labors over a record. Pet Sounds, meanwhile, sounds impeccable, imaginative and polished in almost nonchalant ways. The LP doesn’t try to draw attention to its jaw-dropping arrangements, unique sound palette or colorful compositions, allowing Wilson’s songcraft to speak for itself.

5. The record still sounds refreshing. After a half-century, Pet Sounds’ whimsical orchestration and heart-on-sleeve pop still feels remarkably contemporary. That vibe carries over to Wilson’s live show: He tours with an expansive, gifted backing band that re-creates the album’s plush vocal interplay and whimsical instrumentation—but ensures the music has a vibrant, joyful edge that’s nothing short of life-affirming.

Brian Wilson July 1, 8 p.m., $34.50-$180. The Joint, 702-693-5222.