Who Cares?
| Rex Orange County
Who Cares?
Who Cares? (stylized in all caps) is the fourth studio album by the English singer-songwriter Rex Orange County. It was released on 11 March 2022. The album was recorded in Amsterdam in just 12 days. The album is a collaboration with Dutch musician, Tim van Berkestijn, better known as Benny Sings, with contributions from American rapper Tyler, the Creator. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Commedia
Individually these songs all sound very put together instrumentally. But together, they all sound alike and make the album generally harder to listen to as it goes on.
-
The Guardian
sweet, unremarkable bedroom pop.
-
The Ithacan
From start to finish, O’Connor is on a journey of self-acceptance and healing, growing and developing through the course of each song. A new era for Rex Orange County is upon us, showing the listeners a vulnerable instead of frustrated version of the artist seen in previous albums. There are lessons for everyone to take away from this album, representing the importance of healing and moving on. Overall, it offers a surface level attachment to listeners, drawing them in by the artist’s vulnerability but not getting them hooked because of the instability of those emotions. However, altogether, it is still a great listen.
-
DIY Magazine
On ‘WHO CARES?’, Rex’s diaristic, amiable style meanders ambivalently around themes of love, the tribulations of fame, the critical self-analysis therein and comes to an equally hazy conclusion; the acceptance of a new reality is the first step to understanding it. While missing the flecks of pop brilliance and cloying hooks that made 2017 Rex so endearing, the record’s release in the genesis of a twee renaissance is near-perfect timing. ‘WHO CARES?’ delicately posits escapism as a human need, not a choice.
-
Her Campus
If you’re a fan of Rex’s old music or are a fan of Indie Pop music as a whole, I would definitely recommend this album
-
AllMusic
English singer/songwriter Alexander O'Connor, aka Rex Orange County, has garnered acclaim for his low-key brand of '70s-style AM pop, a vibe he continues to perfect on his artful and heartfelt fourth album, 2022's Who Cares?
-
Skiddle
A shrug of the shoulders. Rex has made a career on having an ear for melody and writing songs that reach out to younger people going through the ups and downs that growing up provides. On this album Rex really has nothing to say, he's never satisfied even in those happier moments and it comes off as whiny, where no solutions are provided just wallowing in his feelings. It is a frustrating listen.
-
Medium
The fourth record from the British bedroom pop star draws on many influences to create a lush signature sound.
-
The Line of Best Fit
Rex Orange County doubles down on his angsty but uplifting sonic formula.
-
The Post
'Who Cares?' adds more diversity to Rex Orange County's already stellar discography.
-
Daily Bruin
Repetitive arrangements obscure lyrical depth on Rex Orange County’s ‘WHO CARES?’.
-
NME
another masterclass in heartfelt pop.
-
The Lantern
There are many highs and lows throughout the project, and Rex Orange County dominates at the highs and fails at the lows, making for a rather unstable project.
-
The Red Ledger
Rex Orange County’s ‘Who Cares?’ is cohesive, intriguing.
-
The Mic Magazine
The most successful artistic endeavour across the project is probably the title - that being my main takeaway after listening: WHO CARES?
-
The Reflector
Who Cares? stayed with what he does best, which is create songs you can scream at the top of your lungs with friends on a summer night.
-
Collegiate Times
His unique rhythm, style and flair are so captivating while simultaneously hitting a sore spot with his heart-felt lyrics.
-
Sputnik Music
While it doesn’t match up to the execution of Apricot Princess or the entertainment of Bcos U Will Never B Free, Rex Orange County’s fourth installment establishes itself as another great addition to his discography. Although simplistic in nature, the signature style of bedroom pop and indie rock remains at the forefront of his vision. WHO CARES? isn’t necessarily ground-breaking, but it shows an artist doing what he does best, building upon his stylistic foundation and paving the way for the future.
-
Vinyl Chapters
WHO CARES? was the product of a number of mid-quarantine “sessions without expectations” with musician and songwriter Benny Sings, which has resulted in an album as playful and aimless as anyone might expect from that description. It’s a double-edged time-capsule of an album—whether it optimistically reminds the listener of better, simpler days, or marks Rex Orange County’s teetering on the tightrope of any real relatability, is up for debate. Then again, WHO CARES? about what others think? (Apart from Rex, that is.)
-
Clash Magazine
It goes without saying that this is a new era for Rex Orange County as ‘Who Cares?’ finds him on a journey of self-acceptance and healing in comparison to his previous works which found him tackling thoughts of being frustrated and trapped. The album not only delivers O’Connor's signature use of bubbly synths, electric pianos and programmed beats that instantly make you feel good, but it also serves as a lesson on learning how to heal and move on. There is something for everyone to relate to or take away from ‘Who Cares?’ and it helps that it’s not too bad on the ears either.
-
Evening Standard
With a 20,000-capacity gig on the horizon, and all these bright songs to boot, this 23-year-old is a force to be reckoned with.
-
Gigwise
WHO CARES? manages to end on a high note, with its closing titular track lifting the mood and tempo again. It’s a buoyant blend of hip-hop beats and vocal harmonies, allowing O’Connor to express his gratitude for the way his life has turned out. It is simple but effective, and it serves as a reminder as to why listeners fell in love with Rex Orange County in the first place.
-
The Georgetown Voice
Rex Orange County’s Who Cares? puts an optimistic spin on feeling aimless.
-
Spectrum Culture
Throughout the album, we find all the ingredients which play to Rex Orange County’s strengths as a singular artist and his ability to build catchy songs around contagious melodies.
-
Northern Transmissions
If you like pop music that has enough indie sensibilities to make it fresh and not completely given over to saccharine, you might like this album. Rex Orange County and the album Who Cares? is a compelling co-operative effort that shows promise for the group. If you only came for Tyler the Creator, it’s likely you’ll stay for the rest of this catchy and talented album, made to soundtrack your own personal falling and rising, the troubles of true love and self-acceptance.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments