English singer-songwriter Alexander O’Connor, or stage name Rex Orange County’s alternative and indie fifth studio album, “The Alexander Technique” was released on Sept. 6.
“The Alexander Technique” contains 16 tracks that are vulnerable with its storytelling. The album is named after a practiced health strategy called the Alexander Technique which treats back pain to reach an inner balance. The practice of the technique theorizes that bad posture can trigger a ripple effect of health issues, so it focuses on identifying its impacts and creating habits that can prevent these struggles. Throughout the album, O’Connor uncovers deeper emotions hidden behind the mask of his chronic pains.
As compared to his previous albums in O’Connor’s discography such as “Pony” (2019) and “WHO CARES?” (2022), the songs’ lyrics are brutally honest and raw as they explore growing pains and struggles. The songs are chronological, beginning with “Alexander,” which talks about the stressful, unsure road ahead along with frustration at chronic back pain. The album ends with “Finally,” a resolution, as O’Connor found faith within himself that he can take on anything, that he has gained closure and a sense of relief. Throughout the entire album, O’Connor self discovers and reflects his inner thoughts, probing further emotions. After dissecting a lot of the lyrics, many were relatable struggles in self discovery.
One of the songs that stood out to me was “2008,” a more upbeat song that reminisces on childhood nostalgia and the good old days. Its lyricism serves as a reminder to take it easy and to “take it slow,” a message that personally resonates with me. While we often can get lost in thoughts about how things used to be, by taking things one day at a time we can conquer our struggles.
“4 In The Morning,” is about those early thoughts that keep you overthinking and awake, with lyrics such as “And someday I’ll come forth and show a different side, and people will look at me and see the person that I wish they’d really see” offering a truthful note of wanting to fit into societal standards, a relatable aspect for many listeners.
“Pure,” is a hopeful love song; its entirety is extremely catchy and depicts pursuing a romance through all obstacles and making one another better. The song expresses the typicality of a teenage relationship.
“Carrera” explores life going to mishap, and reminisces how things used to be. The song comes to a resolution that “But what does it really mean to be in your prime, When you’re changing all the timе?” which offers a perspective that we evolve and grow daily, no matter the past.
I was disappointed by the mellow tones and music itself since many of the backing tracks felt repetitive and similar. Compared to his fourth studio album, “WHO CARES?,” with new pop and upbeat tunes, there could have been more creativity. It would be interesting to see something more fresh in terms of sound. O’Connor is consistent with his lyricism throughout the album, as all tracks offer a range of perspectives and feelings, discovering the root of his struggles.
Overall, I’d rate the album a 8/10, if the sound in comparison was to the level of O’Connor’s lyricism, the album would definitely be a 9.5/10. I’d recommend it to anyone that has enjoyed Rex Orange County’s previous albums or enjoy listening to mellow angsty music in general.
