By Isabel Hinojosa ’25
Staff Writer
Rating: 3/5
“WHO CARES?” is the fourth album by Alexander O’Connor’s, also known as Rex Orange County. Being the first album released by Rex Orange County since 2019, fans, including myself, had extremely high hopes for this release.
This album contains about a 50-50 mix of easy-going love songs and self-deprecating songs about struggling with mental health. The most entrancing aspects about this album are the orchestral instrumentals and piano intros and outros to almost all the songs.
The album opens with a very upbeat instrumental and we are introduced once again to Rex Orange County’s unique and alternative voice. “KEEP IT UP” has the classic message of feeling down but remembering to keep moving forward.
One thing fans are sure to be excited about is a Tyler the Creator feature in the song “OPEN A WINDOW.” This song sounds more staccato rather than the smooth orchestral instrumentals that flow through the whole album.
Many of these songs are very upbeat, contrasting starkly with the tone of the lyrics. Rex Orange County is known for singing very casually about depression and emotion, so this phenomenon is nothing unusual for veteran listeners.
Some of the main themes featured in this album include imposter syndrome, holding on through change, questioning self-worth and self-evolution, shame, and aspirations. These themes can be found in the lyrics of the songs: “OPEN A WINDOW,” “WORTH IT” and “7 AM.”
Although these songs and themes are very on brand for Rex Orange County, I found them to be more shallow than previous songs. Poetic lyrics are a trademark for O’Connor and Dutch musician Benny Sings, the duo behind all the songs, but I felt this album fell short of his usual depth and emotion.
In particular, the more casual, “vibey” love songs seem very basic and mainstream to me. In comparison to previous love songs by Rex Orange County such as Pluto Projector, Apricot Princess, and New House, the love songs on this album, such as “AMAZING,” “ONE IN A MILLION,” and “SHOOT ME DOWN,” remind me more of The Weeknd or something you would hear on the radio because of the relaxed, easy-going vibes.
The last song on the album, “WHO CARES” has more of a ’90s-ish beat and takes a turn in message. After a whole album about love and emotions, O’Connor sings about not caring what others think. He expresses his hope for happiness in this song, leaving the album with a somewhat optimistic tone.
In general, this album seemed to be more people-pleasing than the raw and authentic emotion we have previously gotten from Rex Orange County. However, none of the songs were bad. These songs are often described as “bedroom pop” and I feel that is a perfect way to describe it.
Although I do not feel that this album is very memorable, the songs are very catchy and will get stuck in your head. Because of its generality, my rating is 3/5.
