Staff Writer
Popular indie artist Rex Orange County releases his third album titled Pony. Eclectic, unique and surprisingly powerful, Rex Orange County’s new album is a delight to listeners everywhere.
It’s been two years since Rex Orange County’s album Apricot Princess released and listeners have been waiting for new music. Twenty-one year old artist Alex O’Connor, known by his stage name Rex Orange County, has become a popular musical sensation over the years. Known for his indie-pop style, collaborating with artist Tyler the Creator, touring alongside Frank Ocean, singles such as “Loving is Easy,” and albums such as Apricot Princess. His third album Pony, was definitely worth waiting for. Although the musical styles between the two albums had the same indie-pop, neo-soul, jazzy feel, lyrically the tone definitely shifts. While themes such as family, friends and being in love still exist, Pony’s lyrics take a more in-depth look into Alex’s mental health.
With his immediate rise to fame, O’Connor was constantly in the spotlight, but behind the scenes, he was struggling, feeling as if he was stifled in his work and trapped. In an interview for NPR, Alex quoted “.... 2018 was quite tiring and strange. It was kind of just testing for me when I realized what it was like making [music] your job and playing a lot of shows. I wasn't writing much music so I was kind of uninspired, yet very busy and overwhelmed. I felt myself being really selfish, and being like, "This is not a big deal," but everything felt like such a massive deal, and started to stress me out.”
He also says that he was “[stuck] in a tunnel that was very dark.” The first half of Pony talks about these dark times. The opening track 10/10 explores his quick rise to fame and how he feels confused and directionless. The first 30 seconds of the song he sings, “I feel like a five this year, I can’t pretend/ But if I get my sh*t together, maybe I’ll be a ten.” The less popular, brief, but still impactful song “Stressed Out” criticizes O’Connors supposed “friends” he’s made, especially when becoming famous.
The second half of the album features songs like Pluto Projector, Every way, and It gets Better. These songs tell the listener that things might not return or be normal but they will definitely get better. It’s a great follow up to Apricot Princess and an absolute delight. The world might be miserable but try listening to Pony and it might make you feel a little more optimistic.
