Rex Orange County, Who Cares? | Album Review 💿

Following his 2019 major-label debut, Rex Orange County ups the ante on his third LP and fourth project overall, Who Cares.

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orth of two years after releasing his major-label debut (and second studio album overall), 💿 Pony, British alternative musician 🎙 Rex Orange Country (Alex O’Connor) is back.  The singer/songwriter returns much improved on 💿 Who Cares?, an album filled with reflection, introspection, matters of the heart, self-deprecation, and ultimately, arriving at a better place regarding mental health.  Where Pony had moments but fell short of perfection, Who Cares? does a better job putting things together.  Who Cares? isn’t the second coming mind you, but it’s a strong third LP (fourth overall project) for O’Connor.

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“Keep it Up”

“Keep it up and go on / You’re only holding out for what you want.” 🤩 🎵 “Keep it Up” commences Who Cares? distinctly with lush strings, giving off indie/vintage pop vibes.  Following the gorgeous introduction, “Keep it Up” settles in with a sound groove, keys, and emphasis placed on O’Connor’s voice.  He delivers a memorable chorus that is encouraging and uplifting. “You no longer owe the strangers,” he asserts, adding, “It’s enough, it’s enough.” Rex Orange County makes a valid point about fame and far broader, appeasing others.

O’Conner follows one gem with another. 🤩 🎵 “Open a Window” featuring 🎙 Tyler, The Creator is a surefire bop.  The production is ear-catching, with its potent groove and old-school cues – those strings! Also, the bass line is to die for.   Adding to the musical goodness that makes “Open a Window” stellar is the harmonic progression, the tuneful melody, and of course, O’Conner’s colorful, sometimes raspy voice.  The chorus is golden: “Can I open a window? / Can somebody open the door? / There’s so many reasons / I can barely take it anymore.”  Besides the superb chorus and theme of being overwhelmed and needing to breathe (or escape), how about that Tyler, The Creator feature? Tyler is locked-in: “Open door, but you can’t / Try to run, but you pant / Out of breath, you can’t vent / ‘Cause the AC actin’ up.” Woo!

Rex Orange County continues to be reflective on 🎵 “Worth It.” “It’s not worth it anymore, I feel insane / And I’m not sure why things change,” he sings in the chorus, asking the central question, “What’s worth it anymore?”  Essentially, O’Connor must decide how he’s going to cope with and handle things.  The way that he does will ultimately help to determine the state of his mental health.  Once again, the production and the attention to details are fabulous.

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“Amazing” 

“Who’s gonna save me now? I hope it’s you, my babe.” Oh, how sweet Rex Orange County! On 🤩 🎵 “Amazing,” he touts how truly ‘amazing’ his girlfriend is.  The concept isn’t brand-new, but songs filled with the degree of dedication that this one possesses are awesome to the n^th degree.

Possibly even more electrifying is 🤩 🎵 “One in a Million” with its harmonic progression built around the circle of fourths and fifths.  Furthermore, the bass line is ‘turned up,’ sitting in the pocket with the soulful groove.  Again, the strings are nothing short of awesome.  Still, the ‘cherry on top’ is O’Connor himself – I heart the expressive nature of his pipes.  Like the four songs that precede it, the chorus is the centerpiece – the crème de la crème!

“My heart keeps driving me crazy

There’s nothing much I can do, I’m aware

There’s no one quite like you

You’re one of one, one in a million, woah.”  

🎵 “If You Want It” arrives next, maintaining the groove factor of Who Cares?  A moderately paced number, “If You Want It” adds just enough oomph to ensure Who Cares? doesn’t lose momentum – no mojo ceded!  Here, I like the use of distortion on O’Connor’s voice, providing a contrasting timbre compared to other records.  The chorus, once again, is a selling point, thriving off repetition yet clearly executing the point. O’Connor has his share of flaws (“Baby, I’m so sorry, I got something I need to prove / I’ll be fucking up good times every single time we discuss it though”), but he wants things to work out, of course.

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“7AM” 

“I’m no good at this, I’m fuckin’ up / I got used to failin’, but I’m not dumb / So excuse me if I’m waistin’ all the fun.” In the seventh track, 🎵 “7AM,” musical excellence continues to be the modus operandi.  Besides musical excellence, the modus operandi is introspection, with self-deprecation and self-improvement playing key roles.  Alex O’Connor questions himself constantly throughout this album, highlighting how important mental health is.  🎵 “The Shade” follows, making references to shade (duh) but focused on L-O-V-E.  “I would love to be stuck to your side / Not with anybody else, anybody else,” he sings in the chorus.  Musically, the production is light but colorful with its rhythmic guitars and keyboards. 

🎵 “Making Time” marks the shortest record on Who Cares? Clocking in just under two minutes.  the opening strings are gorgeous; utterly sublime.  After the burst of strings, “Making Time” settles into a soulful, compound duple meter groove with a robust bassline and rhythmic guitar. Later, the strings return, sounding like tape strings or a mellotron, which is incredibly cool.

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“Shoot Me Down”

🤩 🎵 “Shoot Me Down” ranks among the crème de la crème of Who Cares? The longest song of the album at nearly five minutes in duration, Rex Orange County truly outdoes himself.  His voice sounds authentic, filled expression, particularly on the memorable chorus.

“Don’t lose me now

Don’t shoot me down

I’ll stick around

We’ll do it somehow.”

In the verses, he also sounds tremendous, showing off a tuneful melody. The production supporting him is exceptional once more with the piano playing a sizable role.  Furthermore, the harmonic progression is one of the truly elite of the LP.

🤩 🎵 “Who Cares?” concludes positively, evidenced by O’Connor’s vocals and the optimistic piano ostinato.  Essentially, he comes to the realization that he shouldn’t be so worried about everything.  He’s reached this point before, per the first verse, but has struggled to maintain it.  Lots of people should relate to how he speaks about people in the second verse (“People make me wanna scream and shout”) as well as the concluding lyric (“There’s really no pint living in fear”).  This two-and-a-half-minute number is a great way to cap off the album.

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Final Thoughts 💭 

Running just 35 minutes, Who Cares, all in all, is a tight, enjoyable LP from Rex Orange County.  As previously stated, this is a better, more well-rounded album compared to 💿 Pony.  O’Connor sounds terrific throughout – there’s just something s endearing about his voice! Quite relatable, Alex does a fantastic job wearing his emotions on his sleeves – he’s incredibly authentic.  Furthermore, there are some terrific songs with terrific production and some stellar harmonic progressions.  Who Cares? isn’t perfect either, but it’s pretty sweet!   

🤩 Gems 💎: “Keep it Up,” “Open a Window,” “Amazing,” “One in a Million,” “Shoot Me Down” & “Who Cares”

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🎙 Rex Orange County • 💿 Who Cares? • 🏷 Rex Orange County / Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 3.11.22

[📷: Rex Orange County / Sony Music Entertainment]

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