Rex Orange County dropped their fourth studio album Who Cares? back in March. Fans were filled with anticipation as this release was the first glimpse of new music from the band in over two years. With the help of Dutch musician Benny Sings, the 11 songs were produced in just 12 days! Crazy, right? Listeners wouldn’t be able to tell with the quality and dedication put intoWho Cares?. This funky album contains the perfect formula of unique instrumentals, classical rhythms, and a side of pop for a blissful and fun summer playlist.
The album opens with “Keep It Up”, which immediately draws listeners in for its harmonic and upbeat intro. The violin and drum combination is what really makes this song. Who would think that a song about frustration could sound so…fun? What makes Rex Orange County so gravitating is their ability to turn negativity into positivity through their music. And, that’s exactly what “Keep It Up” entails.
With a very similar intro, the second song on the album is “Open A Window”. Featuring Tyler, The Creator, this song once again has a fun and fresh mix of violin, drums, and tamborines. Lead singer Alex O’Connor uses his vocal ability to make the song easily flow into Tyler, The Creator’s verse. The artists used the collaboration to project their emotions of feeling stuck and wanting more.
The third song “Worth It” opens with a more glum tone, still using violins, of course. This song is like a rollercoaster in terms of tune. After the intro, it takes a 360 turn, quickly transitioning to a very uplifting beat..and back to glum, and so on. The clever band used their music choices to help tell a story, transitioning when needed.
The next song, and a personal favorite, “Amazing” is perhaps the most catchy tune on the album. The quicker beat and rhythmic chorus makes for an enjoyable listen. O’Connor sings about a love interest who has changed his life for the better. This song has a familiar tune, having similar sounds to previously released songs “Best Friend” and “Loving Is Easy”.
“One In A Million” is the first song to not have the infamous violin-piano introduction. Instead, it uses the piano as the key instrument. Hence the name, “One In A Million” is another love song. The lyrics are sweet and simple, making this another easy listen.
“If You Want It” has instrumentals that can best be described as an extraterrestrial orchestra, making It a fun song to listen to. The love interest returns, being the focal point of the lyrics. The band rhymes “want it” with “want it” in the chorus, but somehow it works and is surprisingly catchy.
One of the most relatable songs on the album, “7am” talks about waking up on the wrong side of the bed, which most of us do at one point or another! “7am” has all the similar sounds of harmony and piano that make this album so pleasant to listen to, despite the lyrics being about wishing to go back to bed in the morning.
“The Shade” has one of the best beats on the album. The electric guitar makes a vintage and nostalgic feel. Other instruments such as the piano and triangle show up later in the track, brining back the musical theme that runs through the entire album.
Short and sweet, “Making Time” is another one of those songs that remind us of some of Rex Orange County’s past hits such as “Corduroy Dreams”. Like the song itself, the lyrics are simple. All of the love songs on the album seem to not have quite as much depth in comparison to the other songs.
Second to last on the album is “Shoot Me Down”. This song immediately sounds like a song you would hear in the ending credits of a movie. It is the first on the album where the lyrics don’t discuss self-doubt, but hope. O’Connor sings about how he finally feels alive.
“This is the life, oh, and they’re gonna say I’m a handful /
But they don’t keep me alive”
The final song on the album is the title track “Who Cares?” The utter lack of care and the breeziness makes this song a perfect fit to conclude the album. The “Who Cares?” mentality is about accepting that life may not always be perfect and finding peace with that.
Rex Orange County is currently on the UK leg of their Who Cares? tour! If you’re a UK fan who enjoyed this album, there’s still time to get tickets for certain shows.
Rex Orange County never seems to disappoint fans. The band only strengthens their bond with listeners through there uplifting music with their distinctive tunes. Instruments played a huge role in this album, making each song a joy to listen to.
Listen to Who Cares?
We rank Who Cares? an 8/10!
Listen To Who Cares? on Spotify, Apple Music or any preferred streaming service!
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