“Pony” by Rex Orange County

By Erin Wilson

Rex Orange County’s latest album, “Pony,” released on October 25, is a beautifully crafted indie pop masterpiece. Each song expresses a different feeling and brings a new sound to the table, creating a balanced and versatile album perfect for dancing, driving, or crying. 

The album starts out with “10/10.” On the surface, it sounds like a cheerful pop song, but it tells a darker story about the difficulty of self-improvement with lyrics like “I had a year that nearly sent me off the edge/I feel like a five, I can't pretend/But if I get my shit together this year/Maybe I'll be a ten,” which speaks to the emotional trials and tribulations the artist endured. It’s honest and sanguine while remaining catchy. 

“Pluto Projector” is achingly beautiful, initially set to soft acoustic guitar but crescendoing to dramatic orchestral music. It’s a vulnerable and powerful love ballad, packed with emotional lyrics such as “This right here still feels like the honeymoon/When you say my name, nothing’s changed.” 

“Never Had the Balls” is another star on the album, filled with lively guitar, synth, and audio of birds chirping in the background. It feels like the season of spring made into a song, while “Always” is an easy-going and jazzy tune reminiscent of summer sunsets. 

Rex Orange County once again delivered an unforgettable and carefully crafted sound with “Pony”—it’s poignant, it’s powerful, and it’s perfect.