PONY
by Rex Orange County
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 25, 2019
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 62
  3. Negative: 4 out of 62
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  1. JoshuaToback
    Oct 25, 2019
    9
    "Pony" is an album of introspection and reflection. I found it funny that Pitchfork called Rex a Frank Ocean wannabe, because I think this is Rex's "Blonde". Atmospheric and introspective, this album touches on what made the last two years rough for Rex, and I think he was able to blend pop catchiness with rich production and lyricism. While the short length and interludes do throw a bit"Pony" is an album of introspection and reflection. I found it funny that Pitchfork called Rex a Frank Ocean wannabe, because I think this is Rex's "Blonde". Atmospheric and introspective, this album touches on what made the last two years rough for Rex, and I think he was able to blend pop catchiness with rich production and lyricism. While the short length and interludes do throw a bit of a speedbump into this record, it's nothing that detracts too much from the overall experience.

    BEST TRACKS: Always, Laser Lights, Never Had the Balls, It's Not the Same Anymore
    WORST TRACK: Every Way (if I had to pick one)

    Score: 9.5/10    … Expand
  2. adelecritic
    Oct 26, 2019
    10
    On "Pony", Rex Orange County showcases his songwriting skills while reflecting on how he's been feeling and how his life has changed in recent years. It's funny to think that Pitchfork gave this album a 5.0/10 and called it "simplistic, clueless, subtlety-free" when it is Rex Orange County's most personal work so far. Pitchfork also said that "Rex Orange County isn't Frank Ocean" and withOn "Pony", Rex Orange County showcases his songwriting skills while reflecting on how he's been feeling and how his life has changed in recent years. It's funny to think that Pitchfork gave this album a 5.0/10 and called it "simplistic, clueless, subtlety-free" when it is Rex Orange County's most personal work so far. Pitchfork also said that "Rex Orange County isn't Frank Ocean" and with it I totally agree; Rex Orange County is Rex Orange County.… Expand
  3. MusicGuyMack
    Oct 27, 2019
    10
    Sporting 10 tightly-crafted pop tunes without an ounce of fat to be found, Rex Orange County's latest is just as impressive and compelling during its bouts of irrepressible effervescence as its more soulfully melancholic moments, never losing sight of Alexander O'Connor's signature whimsical charm that the album all but overflows with.

    Choice Cuts: "Always", "Laser Lights", "It's Not    Sporting 10 tightly-crafted pop tunes without an ounce of fat to be found, Rex Orange County's latest is just as impressive and compelling during its bouts of irrepressible effervescence as its more soulfully melancholic moments, never losing sight of Alexander O'Connor's signature whimsical charm that the album all but overflows with.

    Choice Cuts: "Always", "Laser Lights", "It's Not the Same Anymore"    … Expand
  4. Parragonwilson
    Oct 25, 2019
    9
    Rex's "Pony" is poignant, hopeful and creative. The album represents an emotional journey that is relatable, well presented and put beautifully into song.
  5. Hendo250
    Apr 6, 2021
    8
    this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8
  6. ViniBRMeta
    Nov 21, 2019
    9
    With his new album, Pony, Rex Orange County proves once again why it is considered one of the major revelations of music in the last 5 years. I don't believe it was a job to overcome its wonderful precursor, Apricot Princess, but Alex has provided us in his most intimate form, where the influence of artists like Steve Wonder, and genres like jazz and blues is clear. One of the best of theWith his new album, Pony, Rex Orange County proves once again why it is considered one of the major revelations of music in the last 5 years. I don't believe it was a job to overcome its wonderful precursor, Apricot Princess, but Alex has provided us in his most intimate form, where the influence of artists like Steve Wonder, and genres like jazz and blues is clear. One of the best of the year, do yourself a favor and listen.… Expand
  7. bUTCHvAPOR
    Feb 29, 2020
    9
    This album is a couple months old at the time of this review. I've saw Rex open is US tour in Arizona, and still, this album is as good a listen as it was the day it was released. I loved it then, and I love it now. Rex (i'm going to call him "Rex") delivers a collection of songs that you can celebrate with friends, while also giving you the feeling that their all yours when you're alone.This album is a couple months old at the time of this review. I've saw Rex open is US tour in Arizona, and still, this album is as good a listen as it was the day it was released. I loved it then, and I love it now. Rex (i'm going to call him "Rex") delivers a collection of songs that you can celebrate with friends, while also giving you the feeling that their all yours when you're alone. Just for you. Letting us slip our feet into his shoes, where they "Always" fit. The muted horns on "Lazer Lights" dropped my jaw. It's perfection. This album is a rear treat to listen to.… Expand
  8. Sadvilliany
    Oct 29, 2019
    8
    I love it! It has such a sweet tone throughout the album and keeps the listeners attention, even at it's lower points. I can see myself revisiting this a lot in the future, Rex has yet to disappoint me.
  9. GeorgeLucasSwif
    Dec 6, 2019
    10
    omg, this is absolutely one of the BEST ALBUMS i've listened for, really liked his voice and the songs seems so...sweet, LOVE IT
  10. isaacbrrr
    Oct 28, 2019
    10
    this is definitely alex's best album, the musicianship is original and the album has a flow that doesn't get sick
  11. Unapendixx
    Oct 28, 2019
    7
    It's not inovattive it sounds like a typical Rex Orange county song it's not what I was expecting specially when I waited a year for a new album but it's pretty ok it's like a bunch of new house sound a like songs
  12. zacholiva04
    Oct 28, 2019
    9
    The newest project from Rex Orange County rings of his pop and indie anthems, both the same and different from his past albums. Pony’s songs, such as Always and Pluto Projector show clear similarities to songs like 4 Seasons and Edition, with the same soulful melody. Overall the album shows how Rex has progressed, and the clear sign of good things to come.
  13. SarahLorraine
    Dec 8, 2019
    7
    Rex Orange County’s familiar sound gets a facelift in O’Connor’s recent release ‘Pony.’ ‘Pony’ demonstrates the most progressive sound we’ve heard from O’Connor, who at 21 years old has released his third album. O’Connor’s Indie pop, neo-soul, R&B fusion see’s new lyrical and instrumental dimensions. I gulped up this album in one large, fresh breath, after the semi-repetitive tunes of hisRex Orange County’s familiar sound gets a facelift in O’Connor’s recent release ‘Pony.’ ‘Pony’ demonstrates the most progressive sound we’ve heard from O’Connor, who at 21 years old has released his third album. O’Connor’s Indie pop, neo-soul, R&B fusion see’s new lyrical and instrumental dimensions. I gulped up this album in one large, fresh breath, after the semi-repetitive tunes of his previous album release ‘Apricot Princess’. In his previous albums, O’Connor exposes us to the type of music you listen to mindlessly, before you realise you should’ve listened to the lyrics with more attention, and start the song again. The kind of music that you shop to in Urban Outfitters, or your friend plays in the car and you like it, but not enough to add it to your Spotify favourites. O’Connor has stuck with his relaxed, indie sound, he’s stayed true to the Rex Orange County we know, but his musical experimentation has taken him further than any of his songs have taken us before. His honest, clever lyrics, laced with more hope than we’ve ever heard from him before take us further than Urban Outfitters.
    With all that being said ’10/10’, the lead single of the album, sounds like the O’Connor we knew from ‘bcos u will never be free’ or ‘Apricot Princess.’ Maybe he was taking our hands, and walking us through his musical changes gently, or maybe it took him some time before he realised he was taking his music to a new dimension. Either way ’10/10’ is one of the weaker songs in the album. There’s nothing particularly offensive about the song, with its heartfelt quality and hopeful lyrics on self-improvement. But it’s nothing new, it’s the same old Indie we’ve heard ten times over from O’Connor since 2015 with the thin synths layered over the optimistic drum line and candid, self-reflective lyrics. However, the one redeeming quality of this song is the way he ends it. “I’m still gonna write this **** song ‘cause after all, I guess it all depends upon the people you choose and where you’re from.” O’Connor’s admirable self-awareness acknowledges that the creation of this song is an act of self-reflection and earnestness. He does not try and write something ground-breaking, he writes what he wants to write, and says what he wants to say. The lyrics end with us expecting more, the final optimistic chord directs us nicely to the rest of his album.
    ‘Never had the balls’ carries the same sentiment as ‘10/10’ with O’Connor exploring the fear of rejection. Songbird recordings introduce the song with playful keyboard chords, before O’Connor’s unassuming voice layers on top, along with the synths, playing low and quick. The bounce of the drums and guitar joins in, creating an upbeat, simple but full sound. O’Connor plays with sound effects on his voice, experimenting with the timbre in a way we haven’t heard him do before. Multiple recordings of his voice pile on top of one another which crescendos into a full, bright, authentic sound. When I first started listening to Rex Orange County I had no idea who they, he or she was. The collaborative quality of his music makes you expect Rex Orange County to be multiple artists. The reality is Rex Orange County is just one person who produces music that sounds like a whole team of people have collaborated on it. O’Connor writes multiple voices from different instruments. The piano, the synths, the sax, the drums, the flute, the strings all have as much of a voice in his music as O’Connor himself.
    The diversity of timbre intensifies in ‘Laser Lights.’ O’Connor’s familiar chord progressions are permeated with grand scalic saxophones and garnished with short, jazzy melodies. The saxes have their own voices that sing alongside him. A gentle, fluttering flute plays in the short instrumental intervals and entangles itself within the grand cry of the sax. O’Connor’s introduction of instrumental diversity meshes well with his busker-on-the-street style of singing. It’s in songs like “Laser Lights’ O’Connor’s vocal cadence alters slightly and verges on rap. It almost shouldn’t work with the melodic core that O’Connor wraps his voice around, and yet it does, each puzzle piece coming together.
    Hearing something so new and fresh from a young artist reminds us of the joys of musical experimentation. What we hear in this album is not perfect and polished but that’s part of the appeal of it. O’Connor is a young artist who is finding his voice in music, experimenting with sound and effect, lyrics and meaning, in a way that resonates with so many other young musicians. ‘10/10’ offers a too safe, shaky start to what has emerged to be a great album.    … Expand
  14. durdenblue
    Feb 15, 2020
    10
    Definitely one of my favourite albums. Loved his voice & production. The album is very personal, honest & vulnerable, I really enjoy every single song on this project. Very relatable content for sure. So happy I heard this album. My favourite song in this album is "Its Not The Same Anymore".
  15. farferaway
    Feb 24, 2020
    10
    This album lyrically genius and had one purpose, grow up. Every single track is a time worthy.
  16. lilnlins
    Jan 25, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All those songs sounds like a dance, not a pop dance but something more sophisticated.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. American Songwriter
    Nov 5, 2019
    80
    His unique pop prosody and production skills, more sophisticated than ever in Pony, foretell that his sound will continue progressing to new creative heights, with the heft of catchy pop music and the inventiveness of its growing indie subgenre.
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  2. RapReviews.com
    Nov 4, 2019
    75
    I think there’s room for “alternative hip-hop” in the mix, not everything in rap needs to be swaggering cock grabbing male posturing, and the difference between a rapper who sings and a singer who raps has diminished greatly. That doesn’t mean “Pony” is going to take the place of all-time classics like Organized Konfusion in my rotation, but it does mean that I can see a more open-minded interpretation of rap music as not necessarily destroying hip-hop music and culture. Rex Orange County has his place too.
    Read full review
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 28, 2019
    60
    Pony meanders, seemingly uncertain of its purpose, but Rex Orange County retains enough charm and honesty to remain engaging while he figures himself out.
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