Released in February, Alexander 23’s new EP “Oh No, Not Again!” is intensely personal yet comfortingly relatable. It also once again crowns him as our sad bop king.
Born Alexander Glantz, Alexander 23 is now a TikTok staple and a co-producer on Olivia Rodrigo’s new album “SOUR.” If you’re curious about the 23, it’s the day he was born, the age he began his solo music career and it pays tribute to Michael Jordan’s jersey number as Alexander grew up playing basketball outside of Chicago.
“Oh No, Not Again!” is a mix of previously released tracks and new instant favorites all wrapped up under a playful title that doesn’t take itself too seriously. In his words, “‘Oh No, Not Again!’ felt like a nice, light-hearted way of saying ‘Why the fuck am I like this?’” When I asked him, he described the body of work as “sad, but hopeful,” and I couldn’t agree more. Let’s get into it.
The EP chronicles the cycle of a relationship beginning with the yearning “IDK You Yet” which became immensely popular on TikTok before the EP’s release. Over simple guitar, the song talks about wanting to cross paths with your soulmate who he misses already despite not knowing them yet.
“Cry Over Boys” follows with a similar simple production that highlights Alexander 23’s knack for writing one liners that can’t help but get caught in your brain. With the lyrics “you cry over boys, you haven’t even met in real life,” many took to TikTok (again) to feature their favorite fictional characters. His personal favorites? None other than Kim Possible (same) and Fleabag.
“How bad’s the weather in your head?…But salt water is rolling down your neck…You say the building’s burning down/ But I see no smoke down from the ground” – Brainstorm by Alexander 23
“Brainstorm” truly displays his lyrical prowess with the use of extended metaphor to describe the perspective of watching someone who’s drowning in their thoughts. Although it’s sad and vulnerable, it still becomes upbeat enough to jam out to at full volume on a rainy day in typical Alexander 23 style.
An unofficial quarantine track, “Nothing’s the Same” with Jeremy Zucker tells the story of an ended relationship from two different perspectives. The track also gives off feelings of nostalgia especially with the lyric:
“Used to have fun, now we only get together” – Nothing’s the Same by Alexander 23 and Jeremy Zucker
“Caught in the Middle” has been one of my favorite songs since its release as a single. As I said in a previous new music friday post, I’m obsessed with the juxtaposition in the lyrics about your ex knowing everything yet nothing at all because they’re back to being a stranger. It’s catchy, groovy and more upbeat compared to others on the record but still with that commiserable twist.
“Come Here and Leave Me Alone” is another catchy bop that explores the complexities between mental health and being in a relationship. Through his lyricism, Alexander 23 uses specifics such as crying in a target parking lot or screaming into your pillow at 3 in the morning to illustrate a larger picture we call all relate to.
Throughout the writing process, Alexander 23 typically shares snippets of his thoughts and catchy one-liners on social media before the official track’s release. So before “She Loves Me” was released, I already had the clever chorus stuck in my head for a week straight.
He follows it up with the perfect post-breakup anthem about awkward encounters with an ex called “Good to See You Again!” The lyrics are pretty savage but with an amicable fake tone wishing them the best!
Despite the clever and sometimes witty lyrics throughout the EP, “Track 9” somberly talks about struggling to accept a relationship actually is over. The track is seemingly directed at one person, but it deals with a topic that many can relate to, moving on.
“Once the pen’s to paper, then it’s really, really over/ And I’d much rather pretend that maybe we’re still okay” – Track 9 by Alexander 23
The EP as a whole is comforting because it reminds us that we aren’t alone in our feelings. As Alexander 23 continues to become more comfortable being honest as a songwriter, it allows him to only become more relatable. “I’ve been able to suppress my ego and realize these things that I’m feeling are not specific to me, even if they feel like they are,” he said.
This collection of songs is the perfect mix of vulnerable and sad but also sonically happy leaving listeners with a feeling of hope and reassurance as the introspective verses swell into addicting choruses. As Alexander 23 says, “Through the ‘IDK You Yet’ lens, that song is definitely super sad, but the qualifying word ‘yet’ is incredibly hopeful. It says ‘I feel like this now, but I can acknowledge that I won’t feel like this forever.’”
If you’re interested in seeing Alexander 23 live, he just released the dates of his first headlining tour with a pre-sale code! I saw him at the Okeechobee Music Festival right before the pandemic, and I highly recommend seeing him live. He and his drummer Tyler always bring the best vibes. You can check out the tour dates below and find him on social media @alexander23 to find a snippet of his next unreleased song to be obsessed with.
Listen to “Oh No, Not Again!” out now!
kasual kook xx
KASUAL KOOK 