Although Alexander O’Connor is a British artist, his catchy beats are dominating U.S. charts, with his songs being a staple for many indie rock playlists.
He is better known by his stage name – Rex Orange County – which is a combination of a name he liked and a childhood nickname. And much like his stage name was pulled from his childhood, his start in music was too. He joined the school choir at five, and later learned to play the drums and the guitar. He also taught himself to play piano and . His musical education continued as he attended the BRIT School, during which he released his first album in 2015. This album – Bcos U Will Never B Free – gained the attention of Tyler, The Creator; he invited O’Connor to collaborate with him on his album Flower Boy.
This collaboration brought O’Connor into the spotlight, and his 2017 album Apricot Princess garnered a lot of attention. One year later, he performed the single “Loving Is Easy” on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. His 2019 album Pony was his first album released through a major label, reflecting O’Connor’s progress in becoming a major artist (up until that point, his albums had been self-released). The fourth Rex Orange County album, WHO CARES?, was the first to top the UK Albums Chart. His most recent album, titled The Alexander Technique, was released in 2024.
O’Connor’s style is unique because it combines bedroom pop, alt rock, and R&B influences to create a distinctive sound. His clear voice, mixed with the peppy melodies of his work, create a track that highlights his vocal and instrumental skills. Many of his songs, such as “Keep It Up” and “AMAZING”, are not only catchy to listen to but also present encouraging lyrics, leaving listeners feeling uplifted.
My Top Ten:
- “Face To Face” (Pony)
- “Keep It Up” (Pony)
- “AMAZING” (WHO CARES?)
- “It Gets Better” (Pony)
- “Waiting Room” (Apricot Princess)
- “MAKING TIME” (WHO CARES?)
- “Guitar Song” (The Alexander Technique)
- “Therapy” (The Alexander Technique)
- “Television / So Far So Good” (Apricot Princess)
- “Pluto Projector” (Pony)
For fans of Clairo, Dominic Fike, and Rachel Chinouriri.
