As promised, Rex Orange County teamed up with Tyler, the Creator on his new song, “OPEN A WINDOW,” which arrived yesterday. The U.K. singer-songwriter first teased the collaboration back in January, when he announced his new album, WHO CARES?, and revealed its tracklist.
Rex first linked up with Tyler, the Creator back in 2017 for the rapper’s Grammy-nominated Flower Boy LP. He appeared on two tracks off the project, “Boredom” and “Foreword,” and provided backing vocals on the song “Garden Shed.” “OPEN A WINDOW,” however, is the first time Tyler has returned the favor.
“OPEN A WINDOW” begins with the chorus, where Rex sings about feeling trapped and needing to get out.
Can I open a window?
Can somebody open the door?
There’s so many reasons
I can barely take it anymore
On the first verse, he seems to settle into the idea that he may never get to leave his confines. He has you to thank for his new semblance of calm.
Seasons change but you don’t ever, oh
Oh, soon as I can see your face I’m fine I’m sure
But even with you by his side, Rex struggles to find peace in his current environment. He still craves something different.
They want change, but you don’t ever, oh
Oh, tryin’ to ignore the thought of wantin’ to
Tyler, the Creator takes the third verse. He likens Rex’s predicament to being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Niggas feelin’ stuck, really feelin’ stuck
Like the middle car on freeway pile up with semi-trucks
Open door, but you can’t
Tyler feels sympathy for Rex, but he can’t really relate. He’s confident he would never stick around somewhere that isn’t serving him.
Nah, really, if somethin’ feelin’ dirty to me
At the roots like a tree, see, I just up and I leaf
He ends his verse with a little tough love for his song partner.
You stuck, then move, because I’m running, like sinus
Tyler, the Creator marks the only guest appearance on WHO CARES?, which is set to arrive this Friday, March 11. The project boasts 11 tracks. You can read all the lyrics to “OPEN A WINDOW” on Genius now.
