Review Summary: A jovial revival in the sound of Rex Orange County.
EDIT: As I had predicted, many of the criticisms I once had have now subsided, and I've grown to love many of the songs on here I once just liked. "Who Cares?" has simply proven itself to be a phenomenal album, creating a much more interesting and varied atmosphere than Pony. After hearing into many of Alex's plans, I can't wait for his next record, as it sounds like more of a branched out and extensive endeavor that I'm certainly looking forward to hearing. I've decided to update the score of this album from an 86 to a 90 due to Making Time and Worth It extensively growing on me.
ORIGINAL REVIEW UPON RELEASE:
Well, here it is. After 2 years of anticipation, here it is. Will certain songs grow on me or grow out of me? Maybe. My main take away is that this is an album with stellar, breathtaking songs, hindered by pony-esque production. Nevertheless, such production was marvelously fitting on some tracks, such as 7AM, Open A Window, Keep It Up, Amazing, and Making Time. If You Want It on the other hand kind of sounded like an under-baked IGOR track, while both One In A Million and The Shade both carried much more grace on their respective live versions. Why am I being tough on an album I gave such a high rating? "Tough Love", (keyword - "love".)
I love this album.
I could be lying on my bed dazing to the ceiling while listening to Making Time on vinyl, thinking about the day. I could be sobbing to Shoot Me Down, reflecting on my own romantic cowardess. I could be walking home from school smiling listening to Worth It, snapping to each beat. I could be making so many memories to these songs. This is Rex Orange County. No matter what he makes, his music always seems to seep into every corner of my life.
"My heart keeps driving me crazy; and really, there's nothing much I can do."
Another takeaway I got from the album, is that it seems as though it's a direct followup to pony, except this time, it serves more as a reaction to the actions he took in the events of that album. With each song seeming so simple and "cute" on the surface, it's easy to dismiss the true intention behind each song, but if you actually make the time (no pun intended) to really LISTEN to each song, and let it sink into you, I'm sure you'll find some value to them.
Rex Orange County has always been much of a carefree artist when it comes to pleasing the masses. He just do what helps him most transparently express all of his emotion, and *** it, I'm all here for it when it results in the mesmerizing experiences that Alex has given us each year, and I can't wait to see what else he does.
