by: Alana Brown-Davis
Singer-songwriter Benson Boone is at it again with his sophomore album ‘American Heart’. With a recently announced tour stretching across the country, Boone lets us know that he’s not finished yet. If anything he’s just getting started. As the allure has begun to fade away from his hit single “Beautiful Things”, critics have started deeming him a one hit wonder. However, with the release of ‘American Heart’, the acrobatic Washingtonian proves he’s anything but.
‘American Heart’ Is A Great Followup
The album’s lead single, ‘Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else’ is a perfect segue from the spectacle of his debut ‘Fireworks & Rollerblades.’ In the song, Boone addresses an awkward run in with an ex who works at the same restaurant he’s going on a date at. The chorus proceeds with:
” I’m sorry, I’m here for someone else
It’s good to see your face
And I really hope you’re doin’ well
I hope you’re doin’ well
I’m sorry, I’m here for someone else
I know you wish that I could stay
And talk at the bar all by ourselves
But I’m here for someone else”
A Sentimental Mood in ‘American Heart’
Boone has established himself an artist filled with theatrics (if not evident through his frequent backflips on stage). A special sense of youthful Americana is palpable in the songs and not just in the album cover and title. In ‘American Heart’, we get to see a guy with stars in his eyes, as both a Billboard charting artist and a young man. ‘American Heart’ also displays a person with deep reverence for the ones around him. In ‘Mr. Electric Blue’ and ‘Momma Song’, he gives tribute to his mother and father, noting his adoration and appreciation of them. This snippet from ‘Momma Song’ encapsulates this best:
“Lately, it’s getting hard
I’ve started looking like my father
And it makes me cry a little bit
‘Cause he really should’ve made it big
‘Cause, damn, he’s good at everything
And everything I am’s because of you
I’m a man because of you”
The ‘Heart’ of “American Heart”
In ‘American Heart’, it’s easy to tell where Boone’s influences come from. The songwriting is intentional in a way that is sure to become a trademark for him. Despite his high volume energy, he knows how to slow down and study his craft. The former ‘American Idol’ follows the examples of greats stretching from Stevie Wonder to Adele, Billy Joel to Sam Smith. In an interview with Grammys.com, he stated:
“These are artists who use their voice as the main instrument for their songs. I think I took a lot of aspects from that into my own music and that’s kind of how I operate. So when I write, I let my voice lead where the song goes. I think that’s what I naturally picked up listening to those artists.”
It’s certainly enjoyable to see a young artist like this evolve, never taking his foot off of the breaks. At this rate, we can definitely expect more and more from Benson Boone over the next few years.
‘American Heart’ is available on all streaming platforms.