Written by: Emily Lutz
British indie-pop singer/songwriter Alexander O’Connor, or better known as Rex Orange County, is back with his third studio album and also his debut with Sony. After a long two and a half years fans finally got the new album titled Pony on October 25th. This album is filled with both lovesick songs but also ones that touch upon mental health and with each of the ten tracks you find another reason to fall in love with the music and just vibe out.
The new album starts out with “10/10.” This track was the first single to be released and I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the new era. It goes through that struggle most of us have where we are not at our greatest and feel awful about ourselves but then bettering yourself to feel like that “perfect 10.” In the song, it goes from “No control over my emotions” in the first chorus to “This time I took control and turned my sh*t ‘round” in the second to show the difference of self-improvement. This leads into the second track titled “Always.” This one kind of hits on the mental health side as the song explains those times when deep down you know you need some kind of help but you still want to believe you’re fine and everything is okay. Each one of us goes through the bad times but think we can handle it on our own, however, asking for help from people in your life is completely okay and could be really beneficial.
Next up is “Laser Lights.” This one is probably one of my favorites instrumentally. It’s so simple until near the end where it’s super jazzy. I also like how it doesn’t have any kind of chorus, just spilling out all his feelings. This leads into “Face To Face.” It is the third single off of Pony which was described on Rex Orange County’s social media in a statement that says “This song is about being away from home, feeling trapped in an undesirable situation & finding it difficult to trust people.” Long distance relationships are never easy and can be pretty painful, but it’s all about how you go about it. The next song “Stressed Out” is for those in toxic friendships where they just want to use you for who you are and what you have. He sings “They wanna lie and still be friends/But when you’re at your worst, they don’t care” Those kind of relationships can be super stressful and damaging and it’s best to just get out.
Jumping into the second half of the album, we have the upbeat track titled “Never Had The Balls.” This song definitely feels like it could be in the movie and it’s the perfect one to jam out to if you’re having that fear of rejection and need just a little boost.The second single and next song of the album is “Pluto Projector.” This one is probably my favorite due to literally how gorgeous it is lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally. There’s no doubt it’s super cute lyrically about being in love with someone who knows every detail about you and know everything about them as he says “You know more than anyone/And it’s you that knows my darkness.” Also the instrumental part? A complete masterpiece. There’s absolutely no other way to describe it. Continuing with the lovey theme is the next track “Every Way.” I imagine this as the kind of song you play for your significant other when you want to explain how much you’re appreciative of them. They’ve seen you at your best, and they’ve seen you at your worst but that will never change how they feel about you. Hold your loved one close, play this track, and let them know just how you feel.
Next up is “It Gets Better.” This poppy tune is probably the best one off the album to just dance to in your room. It compares the start of the relationship compared to four years later as it has progressed and gotten better. The song starts at “True, 2015, you were fallin’ for me” and then the chorus turns into “Four years later, and look where we really are/Look how far we’ve come.” After all the time that has passed, you’re still in love with them- “Nothing’s changed that much.” To finish off the album is “It’s Not the Same Anymore.” This one hit the most out of the whole album and at first listen it was a bit emotional. This track goes through the feelings and struggles of when you were happier but now you realize you’re not at that point anymore and everything is different, you’re not happy. The vocals in this song are probably my favorite, especially the third verse. I’m not sure how to explain why, it just hits different. O’ Connor sings “I wish I didn’t need to get help but I do” and I think that’s something a lot of us struggle with. However, at the end he sings “I’m doing this for myself/It’s not the same anymore/It’s better.” That’s the moment I knew this song was super personal for me.
I had never truly listened to Rex Orange County until this album and I was really missing out. No one ever told me that I needed to listen to them so if you haven’t gotten the chance to listen to any of their music this is your sign that you absolutely need to. There’s no way you can take one listen and not be completely hookes. Everything is crafted above and beyond what anyone could suspect. You can catch Rex Orange County on tour January 9-February 27 across North America.