Not only is he a male discussing mental health and insecurities, – which proves controversial to historical social norms of masculinity – but he makes the taboo topic approachable. Rex Orange County is an extremely valuable artist in this respect. Tracks like “Always” produce emotionally vulnerable yet simple lyrics that discuss O’Connor’s realization and reflection of his mental brokenness in lyrics like, “It took a while to see that I was in need or help from somebody else/ But she keeps reminding me that I’m not the only one.” Though he discusses difficult subject material, energetic horn lines, bells, claps and a bouncy drum loop indicates that O’Connor has suffered but is now free. O’Connor has never been one to shy away from discussing mental health as an active member of the charge of “sad boy” musicians like Frank Ocean and Omar Apollo, he ceaselessly ventures into a brave yet accepting new world. While the dominant thematic material on his last albums orbited around plain sadness, “Pony” showcases Rex Orange County as a buoyant man fresh out of therapy and all his bad relationships. In contradiction to his previous two projects, “Pony” reveals O’Connor as happy. It’s an ambitious task to follow up on his famous feature on Tyler, the Creator’s “Flower Boy” and his first two independently released projects, 2016’s “Bcos U Will Never B Free” and 2017’s “Apricot Princess.” However, the singer/songwriter constructed a new, brilliantly happy/sad 10-song album that further establishes him as king of the sad boys. With his characteristic genre-blending sound featuring the likes of bedroom pop, indie rock, neo-soul, jazz and rap, O’Connor did what all other major artists have not been doing – he topped himself. Yet, out of the darkness emerges a beacon of hope, a brave warrior in this increasingly disappointing era of mainstream music – and it comes in the form of a 21-year-old Englishman.Īlex O’Connor, formally known as Rex Orange County, released “Pony,” his third album and first project under Sony record label this last Friday, Oct. ” All of these new releases from the supposed best-of-the-best artists have proved disappointing, all of them waving their white flags of musical surrender. Is it just me, or are we living in an age where artists just aren’t topping themselves anymore? Taylor Swift’s “ Lover.
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