Two years ago, Rex Orange County had his breakthrough moment — he featured on Tyler, the Creator’s “Flower Boy.” Since then, though, he’s been amiss.

With only a handful of singles across these last 24 months, the anonymity of Rex Orange County grew large. Though he had other projects out, like “Apricot Princess” and “Bcos U Will Never Be Free,” they didn’t clearly indicate which direction his career was going in.

Before his new album, “Pony,” we had not seen what fame and attention would do to his musical output. Sometimes when an artist has a spontaneous breakthrough release, the work that follows is constantly held up to it, maligned for not being as good. This happened with the rapper Desiigner, for example.

This LP, therefore, raises a very important question: Can Rex Orange County carry a full project withstanding the burning eyes of mainstream attention?

The first thing that struck me was how mature the album is. Throughout the LP, the tone is completely different from his previous work — and yet Rex manages not to distance himself from the sound that made him popular. Rather than undergo a complete musical metamorphosis, Rex’s sound evolved.

This feels like a risky move in today’s world, where most artists drastically change their sound and image when debuting a record, it’s almost like reinventing yourself is expected with newfound fame.

Of all the aspects of Rex’s music, his instrumentation develops the most on “Pony.” On tracks like “It Gets Better,” Rex makes his laid back, stripped-down sound excitable and lively. His use of orchestral sound layers the album, giving it a grand and expansive atmosphere.

The most impressive track on the album is the lead single, “10/10.” It showcases Rex’s masterful ability to convey melancholy. His bittersweet revelations of growth and turmoil are immaculate. This track is not one of the more expansive songs — the instrumentation is quite light and simplistic — but it doesn’t matter, because the lyrics steal the show. His pen is nostalgic, reminiscent of Oasis and Pavement. However, he adds a hyper-focused aspect that reflects the insecurities of millennials.

Another stand-out track is “Pluto Projector.” This grandiose record conveys the full depths of Rex’s potential. The instrumentation is reminiscent of Mac Miller’s “Swimming” with an indie twist.

“Pony” is for everyone. It is accessible yet intimate to any listener. To answer the original question: Yes, Rex Orange County will survive in today’s musical climate.