Alexander James O’ Connor, known artistically as Rex Orange County, has released his anticipated fifth studio album “The Alexander Technique” after a two year hiatus from the music industry.
The record’s title is double entendre, referencing not only Rex Orange County’s given name, Alexander, but a form of alternative therapy that connects posture to various health conditions. The Alexander Technique is considered to be a pseudoscience by experts, as there are no concrete studies that prove its validity.
“My first few albums were all leading up to this in my mind,” Rex Orange County told Billboard Magazine in a 2024 interview. “This is exactly what I’ve always wanted to make.”
On “The Alexander Technique”, Rex Orange County explores his ongoing struggles with addiction and mental health.
Despite it being one of his most personal albums to date, some of the self-referential lyricism can come across as shallow.
The self-titled track one, “Alexander”, starts the album on a somber note. After a nearly minute long piano solo, the record enters into a spoken-word narrative detailing Rex’s struggle with carrying emotional weight.
The lyrics make it feel as though Rex is inviting you into his thoughts during a doctor’s visit. Instead of finding a solution for his ongoing back pain, the doctor tells him he is struggling with addiction and needs to reach out for help.
Rex at first resents this idea, but comes around and realizes that the doctor may be right.
“And I resented that man, I never went back to him again / Well, you know, in a weird way, I feel like maybe he was right / I may be using my back pain to distract from the pain of life.”
“The Alexander Technique” has 16 songs on the standard edition of the album, making it the longest in Rex Orange County’s discography to date. It also contains the most collaborators Rex has ever invited to work on an album.
Track three, “2008”, has a new and interesting electronic sound. Produced by Jim Reed and Teo Halm, the song feels exactly like the nostalgia the lyrics describe.
“I’ma free my mind and treat it kindly / Ten years old, I was unbothered / Spent my hours in the garden / I was alright.”
Another track, “Guitar Song”, features an experimental jazz interlude that is one of the best moments of the album.
“I’m doubting my outfit, I’m doubting the way I look / Then she tells me, ‘you look great’, but it hurts just the same.”
Stepping away from Rex Orange County’s usual heartfelt acoustics and live instruments, the album leans towards a unique, alternative sound while still maintaining ease of listening.
As the album goes on, the tracks begin to melt into each other.
Something the album falls short on is how literal the lyrics can be. “The Table” is a prime example of this. On this track, it feels as though Rex Orange County is trying to spoon-feed the audience meaning.
Within “The Table”, Rex explores the concept of perception and connectivity using trees as a metaphor.
“Looking at a table, wondering what type of wood it’s made of / Wondering exactly which tree gave itself / And more importantly, who sat beneath that tree?”
“The Table” is a spoken word narrative track similar to “Alexander”. With a run time of under three minutes, the track drags on with sleepy vocals and shallow lyricism.
“They may just be a stranger / But I see strangers constantly / We have so much in common / And yet, not enough for us to speak.”
Nearing the end of the album, a personal favorite track of mine was “Look Me in The Eyes (feat. James Blake)”. The melancholy duet features two time Grammy Award winner James Blake.
The harmonies practically dance with the sultry piano tune, detailing a fantasy of seeing a past lover.
“Look me in the eyes if you’re gonna lie / Look me in the eyes if you’re gonna flee”.
Closing with the upbeat “Finally”, Rex takes listeners back into his inner monologue, coming to peace with himself and his struggles with mental health.
“My body wants to throw the towel in, but I won’t / I have faith in my rambling / I can finally see the man I am.”
Despite “The Alexander Technique” being Rex Orange County’s most intimate project yet, its lack of variety and depth makes it difficult for the average listener to connect with it.
