On March 11, Rex Orange County released his fourth studio album, titled “WHO CARES?” After waiting three years for a new album since the release of “Pony” in 2019, I can undoubtedly say that “WHO CARES?” has exceeded all of  my expectations. Rex Orange County is a musical genius, and this album showcases his remarkable talents.

Alexander O’Connor, who goes by the stage name Rex Orange County, is a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom. Mostly known for his hit singles “Loving is Easy” and “Best Friend,” he has amassed over 14 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Rex Orange County’s rise to fame began in 2015 when he launched the album “bcos u will never b free” on SoundCloud. He quickly climbed up the charts through both features and releases of more albums.

When Rex Orange County had just 500 followers on SoundCloud back in 2015, there was one listener who recognized his talent and skyrocketed his career: Tyler, The Creator. Tyler invited Rex Orange County to his studio in Los Angeles and featured him in some of his songs. In Tyler’s Grammy-nominated album “Flower Boy,” Rex Orange County was featured on two songs: “Boredom” and “Foreword.” Following these features, Rex Orange County released his album “Apricot Princess.” He began making appearances on global charts, and became a worldwide sensation. In “WHO CARES?” Rex Orange County features Tyler, The Creator in his song “OPEN A WINDOW,” which is currently the album’s top-performing song in the United States (and my personal favorite).

Almost every song in “WHO CARES?” begins with a beautiful array of string instrumentals melded with just enough drums, piano and acoustic guitar to bring it all together. This consistency unfies the album while including just enough variety in each song to make it unique. For those who listened to Rex Orange County’s hit song “Pluto Projector” and fell in love with its string instrumentals, “WHO CARES?” takes that artistry to the next level. If I were to describe the genre of the album, I would say it lies somewhere between jazz and pop but with a chill, relaxed feel.

As a long-time fan of both Rex Orange County and Tyler, The Creator, it would be wrong of me not to put their crossover, “OPEN A WINDOW,” at the top of my list from the new album. Like most of the songs on this album, “OPEN A WINDOW” begins with an ear-melting blend of orchestral sounds immediately followed by an upbeat tempo. If there’s any song that I can’t help but dance to, it’s this one. Coming in at number two in my personal rankings is “ONE IN A MILLION,” your typical love song. Yes, it may sound cliché, but it’s cliché in the best way possible. Finally, my third favorite in the album is “WORTH IT,” which, like “OPEN A WINDOW,” has a beat that makes listeners feel optimistic and motivated. If you’re looking for a feel-good, light and happy album, “WHO CARES?” is the best choice.

If you haven’t done so already, listening to Rex Orange County’s “WHO CARES?” is an absolute must. It would be an understatement to call this album anything less than a masterpiece. With its 11 songs adding up to 35 minutes in total, it’s the perfect way to pass the time during your next Ram Van trip or workout at the gym.