Rex Orange County: Who Cares? – Dexterous Pop - The Irish Times
Maybe your like
The English singer-songwriter delivers yet another album of indie lo-fi earworms

On his fourth album, English singer and songwriter Rex Orange County (which hides the distinctly Irish name of Alexander O'Connor) continues the blueprint set down by his first three albums (2015's Bcos U Will Never B Free, 2017's Apricot Princess, 2019's Pony) with a batch of songs that ably matches the deft touches he is best known for. It's an odd position the 23-year-old songwriter is in – popular enough to headline venues such as Dublin's Iveagh Gardens (July 15th) but not so familiar that his name trips off the tongue.
As album titles go, Who Cares? could be testament to ROC’s casual approach to commercial success, but his songs go some way to bridging any gaps between record sales/streams and public recognition. He has made the jump from teenage artist (he was 17 when his debut was released via Soundcloud and Bandcamp) to being signed as a 20-year-old to major label RCA look easy, and here he delivers yet another album of indie lo-fi earworms.
Collaborations with American rappers such as Chance the Rapper and Tyler, the Creator might add an extra creative frisson to the music, but if you drill down deep enough, it is ROC’s dexterous touches to pop music – all present and correct here – that are the most endearing.

Tony Clayton-Lea
Tony Clayton-Lea is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in popular cultureOpens in new windowOpens in new windowRex Orange CountyIN THIS SECTION

Franz Ferdinand in Dublin: A band determined to keep the party going with silky maturity
Foo Fighters turn St James’ Church, Dingle, into the world’s smallest stadium

Stereolab at NCH review: Eloquent Anglo-French favourites rise to the occasion

Irish-UK biopic of jazz pianist Bill Evans wins prestigious award at Berlin Film Festival

Basic Income for the Arts is now permanent. But for artists who apply, the money is not
MOST READ

Prominent publican’s son and daughter plead guilty to assault at four-star Co Limerick hotel

Dentist who defrauded HSE over 17 years is jailed and ordered to pay €100,000
The trouble with the Deposit Return Scheme: ‘They’re sitting on a pile of unclaimed deposits’

Judge to consider whether Enoch Burke family members were in contempt of court

Ireland v England offered a lesson for World Rugby on tinkering with laws
LATEST STORIES
Four years of Ukraine war, learner driver may be behind death of 16-year-old, and Peter Mandelson arrested
Peter Mandelson freed on bail following arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Extra €19 million allocated for special needs assistants this year
Really getting lost in a good book is one way to find better mental health
Life at Ireland’s biggest boarding school: ‘Socially I’ve grown so much. I can talk to anybody’
Book ClubSign up to the Irish Times books newsletter for features, podcasts and more
Sign upTag » How Old Is Rex Orange County
-
Rex Orange County - Age, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays
-
Rex Orange County - Bio, Facts, Family Life Of English Singer
-
Who Is Rex Orange County? - Official Charts
-
10 Things You Need To Know About Rex Orange County - I-D Magazine
-
Rex Orange County - Threat
-
How Old Is Rex Orange County?
-
Rex Orange County Bio - IdolWiki
-
Rex Orange County Biography, Songs, & Albums - AllMusic
-
Rex Orange County - Age, Wiki, Biography, Trivia, And Photos
-
Rex Orange County (@rexorangecounty) • Instagram Photos And Videos
-
Rex Orange County: Albums, Songs, Playlists | Listen On Deezer
-
Rex Orange County Doesn't Care What You Call Him (Anymore)