Face to Face with Rex Orange County (Single Review)

Alexander O'Connor, or Rex Orange County as you may know him, has been announcing songs ahead of the release of his third album, Pony, out October 25th. The most recent released track is his third track, 'Face to Face' which he announced yesterday on October 23rd via Twitter describing the track as, "This song is about being away from home, feeling trapped in an undesirable situation and finding it difficult to trust people."

After releasing his breakthrough album Apricot Princess in 2017, Rex began to receive attention from the likes of  American artists, such as Frank Ocean and Tyler the Creator. So much so, he featured on Tyler the Creator's album Flower Boy; and co-wrote and contributed vocals to the songs 'Boredom' and 'Foreword' off the album, just three months after the release of Apricot Princess, and he also had the privilege to play for Frank Ocean on tour.

The first song off the album that Rex released was '10/10' on September 12th, a song about feeling unsuccessful and depleted with his accomplishments, but pulling himself back together despite it all. The other release is 'Pluto Projector' which was released on October 17th, another track based on self-reflection, reflecting on relationships, romances and emotions.

However, new track 'Face to Face' is more focused on the bittersweet reality of having shot to stardom so fast, and the sacrifices you have to make that come with it, the stresses and loneliness of being away from home, in a brand new world, and away from comfort and familiarity. The effervescent R&B/ pop song begins with some melodic harmonies before he starts to tell his story, opening with "I grew up, you grew down, we found out everything matters now. We grew up while you let yourself down - I want out."

Underlying the track is Rex expressing how stardom can take its toll on your emotions, and how difficult it is being isolated from loved ones, and the doubt as to whether the sacrifices are ultimately 'worth it' as he states "I want out" and “I wish I could be with her instead” coming to the terms with the heartbreaking nature of having little time to talk to his partner whilst on tour due to the eight hour time difference and poor connection on video call, as well as the busy schedule that comes with the life of fame.

TRACKLIST

01. 10/10
02. Always
03. Laser Lights
04. Face to Face
05. Stressed Out
06. Never Had the Balls
07. Pluto Projector
08. Every Way
09. It Gets Better
10. It’s Not the Same Anymore