Rex Orange County, Pony | Album Review 💿

After a two-year hiatus, British singer/songwriter Rex Orange County (Alex O’Connor) delivers an enjoyable, if imperfect third studio LP, Pony.

If you have never heard the music of Alex O’Connor, better known as Rex Orange County, then you are totally missing out.  O’Connor gained more exposure with his 2017 sophomore album, Apricot Princess, quite a creative effort blending old and new seamlessly. O’Connor returns with his third studio album, the 10-track, 34-minute effort, Pony. Throughout Pony, O’Connor is honest and open about personal matters in his life, namely anxiety. It’s enjoyable, if less magical than Apricot Princess.

“10/10”

“I had a year that nearly sent me off the edge / I feel like a five, I can’t pretend…” Rex Orange County launches Pony with the aspirational, reflective, and thoughtful ✓ “10/10.” He continues the lyric from the first verse singing beautifully, “But if I get my shit together this year / Maybe I’ll be a ten.” Besides the fine lyrics of the verses, O’Connor has some great moments on the chorus, with some variations throughout, including the humorous gem, “Sometimes you gotta cut a bitch out.”

Reflectiveness and introspection carry over into the lovely ✓ “Always,” a marvelous blend of alternative, neo-soul, and singer/songwriter. The ear candy is abundant, from the distinct, nuanced vocals by O’Connor, to the sleek orchestration, which includes dazzling saxophones.  Of course, the lyrics are vital to the meaningful sentiment, exemplified on the chorus:

“Yeah, there will always be a part of me that’s holding on
And still believes that everything is fine
And that I’m living a normal life
But until somebody sits me down
And tells me why I’m different now
I’ll always be the way I always am
Yeah, yeah.”

“Laser Lights”

“Laser Lights” is modest in duration but remains potent.  Rex Orange County opts for hip-hop, charmingly spitting rhythmic bars with his heavy British accent.  Performing in loose fashion, O’Connor is blunt, spitting on the second half of the first verse, “I would up and leave this fuckin’ bullshit / If it meant that I could see her / Dancing to the shit sounds nothing like me, huh? / Dancing to the shit I like.” There is no chorus to be found, just three straight verses of rhymes with some occasional sung lyrics, and, once again, lovely orchestrations. The use of acoustic instruments adds another dimension to Pony overall.

✓ “Face to Face” continues to explore the anxiety and loneliness that O’Connor has experienced.  Even though this is a bright, bubbly, and energetic song, the singer continues to discuss the issues that have plagued him.  On the chorus, it is the plight of being in a long-distance relationship (“She wakes, we face-to-face from the bed / I wish I could be with her instead”).  On the bridge, it is about his small circle (“My only friend, 100% / I unplugged, then I dipped on my friends / My world got so much smaller this year”).  The best lyric, however, appears on the second verse, when O’Connor superbly sings, “You were occupied, I was in the shower / You were unaware, I was fully clothed.”

“Stressed Out” 

“Stressed Out” arrives as the briefest number, clocking in less than two minutes.  Even so, this indie pop record still packs a punch.  Mental health continues to be at the forefront, as Rex Orange County highlights what ‘they’ want throughout, summing up on the chorus, “Doesn’t it feel unfair?” The stress is followed up with ‘balls,’ or a lack thereof.  On the longer running “Never Had the Balls,” O’Connor depicts his lack of confidence to tell her.  One of the best moments on this driving, sparkling, major-key number is the bridge that appears between the second and third verses:

“‘This could be the best decision that you ever make
Please, don’t be afraid,’ she reassures me
I know it’s hard to play pretend
I promise you it’s due to end
And winners never quit, you know, so quitters never win
(It’s only getting better now for you).”

The uplifting sensibility is awesome.  So are the strings, and the production in its totality.  The chorus may be ‘rough around the edges’ using ‘balls’ as it central lyric, but it’s also highly effective – quite potent.

“Pluto Projector” 

“I don’t think so / I don’t think I’m meant to understand myself / Maybe you do / And that’s good for you.” Sigh, second single ✓  🤩 “Pluto Projector” is easily among the crème de la crème of Pony.  Rex Orange County channels his inner Frank Ocean to the nth degree.  His raspy, nuanced voice sounds incredible on this heartfelt ballad, one of the best produced and written records.  The strings are nothing short of epic.  At the end, we even get pitch shifted vocals (lower) that add even more character to this thoughtful number. O’Connor definitely excels at ballads, as “Pluto Projector” perfectly exemplifies.  It continues on the brief, relatively stripped “Every Way,” which is accompanied by piano and at times, organ.  “Every Way” is magnificent, thanks most to its dedication: “And I hope you know / That I think about you in every single way.”

Penultimate joint “It Gets Better” continues to sheer excellence of Pony.  The musicianship continues to be a selling point, with unique production work, shifts within the song, and honest, thoughtful songwriting.  The personal aspects that O’Connor infuses throughout the album, specifically “It Gets Better” helps to take this song to another level.  “2012, I remember being in need,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “True, 2015, you were fallin’ for me / You sent through a love letter for me to read / And it’s engraved in my mind.” O’Connor’s dedication to his girlfriend, something prevalent on Apricot Princess, continues on Pony.

Pony is only 34 minutes. That said, six-and-a-half minutes of that duration comes at the hand of one song, closer “It’s Not the Same Anymore.” It’s lengthy, just as any song funning north of five-minutes tends to be, but there’s much to appreciate.  Consider “It’s Not the Same” to be the coda – something of the ultimate catharsis for Alex O’Connor.  He’s come full circle, and as opposed to ‘getting better,’ he’s changed his tune, asserting, “It’s better / It got better / It’s not the same anymore / It’s better.” Like everything preceding it, “It’s Not the Same Anymore” is gorgeously produced, while O’Connor pours out his soul, with the result being a strong vocal performance.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the gifted British singer/songwriter delivers an enjoyable third studio LP with Pony. The vocals are lovely throughout, while the songwriting is personal and specific to him.  Even so, it’s still relatable considering many people experience the issues that Rex Orange County does.  I wouldn’t call Pony perfect necessarily, but there are plenty of moments that should totally tickle any listener’s fancy, particularly if you are a fan of indie-pop, alternative, and alternative R&B.

✓ Gems: “10/10,” “Always,” “Face to Face” &  🤩 “Pluto Projector”

Rex Orange County • Pony • Sony • Release: 10.25.19

Photo Credit: Sony