Album Review: Benson Boone - 'American Heart'
Benson Boone’s sophomore album, American Heart, is the perfect follow-up album to his debut, Fireworks & Rollerblades.
With a powerful voice, soaring pop anthems, and an unforgettable moustache, not to mention an impressive number of backflips, Benson Boone is anything but ordinary. His new album delivers on all fronts, leaving little room for disappointment. Yet in the world of pop, standing out is only the beginning; true greatness lies in surpassing the image people remember. For Boone, that means showing the world he’s more than just a show-stopping performer; he’s an artist with real depth and staying power.
Boone's 10-track album set the stage with the heartfelt singles “Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else”, “Mystical Magical”, and “Momma Song”, before unveiling its electrifying fourth single, “Mr Electric Blue”, alongside the full release.
The album opens with “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else”, a striking blend of pop-rock and synth-pop that immediately sets the tone. Boone’s greatest strength on this track lies in his lyrical simplicity; he doesn’t cloud the story with complexity but instead delivers a direct, emotionally honest narrative. It's a song for anyone who’s felt the quiet discomfort of bumping into an ex, knowing you’ve both moved on in different directions. The fusion of sleek electronic textures with classic instrumentation creates a sound that’s at once modern and timeless, perfectly showcasing Boone’s range. What makes the track especially compelling is its ability to feel deeply personal while still resonating with nearly everyone.
As the second track on American Heart, “Mr. Electric Blue” ignites the album with a surge of energy, propelled by a soaring synth crescendo, a pounding beat, and Boone’s electrifying vocals.
“Man in Me” pulls you in from the first note, with its lush underwater synths, harmonised “la-las,” a laid-back bassline, and a punchy kick-snare rhythm, all topped off with those breathy backing vocals that somehow never get old. Even before Boone steps in, the track is already magnetic. But it’s on the chorus that he truly elevates the most infectious song on, American Heart, leaning into theatrical heartbreak with lyrics like “You really made me bleed / Blood on these ivory keys / You killed the only part of me I ever liked.” It’s over-the-top, unapologetically dramatic, and delivered with such flair that you can’t help but enjoy the ride.
The whimsical “Mystical Magical” shimmers with retro charm, weaving in playful interpolations from Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 hit “Physical” while spotlighting Boone’s airy falsettos and magnetic, detail-rich production style.
“Reminds Me of You” drifts into softer, more nostalgic territory, swapping the album’s usual high-energy synths for a mellow, sun-drenched sound that recalls the woozy charm of Mac DeMarco. The shift feels intentional and intimate, wrapping the listener in a warm, slow-burning atmosphere. Boone’s lyrical storytelling shines here; he breathes new life into the theme of love’s lingering ghosts with rich, specific details: handwritten letters, a Polaroid tucked away, and the ghostly trace of perfume clinging to car vents. It’s cinematic without being overdone. Then, just as the track settles into its melancholic sway, a sudden break in the bridge creates a perfect dramatic pause, an inhale before the song exhales back into motion.
Midway through American Heart, “Momma Song” arrives as a quiet emotional centrepiece, trading momentum for meaning. Though its weighty chorus, layered with rich strings, piano, and drums, momentarily slows the album’s pace, it does so with intention. This is a tender, heartfelt tribute, and Boone leans fully into its sincerity. The song’s emotional gravity offers a pause for reflection, revealing a more vulnerable side of the artist that deepens the album’s emotional arc.
“I Wanna Be the One You Call” is a playful, seductive standout that pulses with early-2010s indie rock energy, think racing drums, wiry guitar riffs, and a perfectly timed key change wrapped in breathy backing vocals. Boone brings a charismatic swagger to the track, especially in the dramatic pause between “I wanna be the name you scream / When you need… anything,” letting tension hang in the air before diving into a hooky, almost comedic payoff. His drawn-out plea, “I just need your nummmmmber”, lands with a mix of earnest desire and cheeky charm, capped off with the sly wink of “…if you have a phone.” It’s this balance of passion and playfulness that makes the song so irresistible.
“Wanted Man” grooves with a confident shuffle, driven by zooming guitars and breathy backing vocals that channel a sleek, Adam Lambert–style pop-rock swagger, a perfect showcase for Boone’s dynamic talents. While the chorus’s straightforward plea, “You’re making me feel like I’m wanted / You’re making me feel like a wanted man,” might benefit from a bit more nuance, the verses more than make up for it with their vivid, neo-glam flair: “Two eyes like revolver machines / Baby, emulate the weapons at me.” It’s this bold blend of theatricality and cool confidence that gives the track its irresistible edge.
‘Take Me Home’ marks a powerful moment of vulnerability on the album’s journey with sincerity. The song delivers a heartfelt dive into the complexities of misplaced love, anchored by a soulful electric piano and a soaring late-song crescendo that stirs deep emotion without slipping into cliché. Boone’s evocative lyrics, like the vivid line, “I’m glad to see your eyes ain’t changed at all / They always looked a little greener in the fall”, imbue the track with a raw, intimate honesty.
Closing out the album with the title track, “Young American Heart” delivers the bold declaration, “You stole my American heart,” a line that might earn a few sceptical eye rolls. But by this point, Boone has earned the right to say it, with a piano-driven pulse that keeps the energy alive and vocals that carry every word with genuine conviction. What really makes the song resonate, though, is its raw portrayal of young-adult anxiety, capturing a universal fear beyond the familiar anthemic clichés: “You and I, we’re living in some crazy times / And I get so scared we’ll never make it through our 20s / And we’ll lose it all for nothing.” It’s a powerful, heartfelt finale that leaves the listener both energised and reflective.
American Heart, is a bold and heartfelt journey that showcases an artist confidently carving out his space in the pop landscape. From the soaring falsettos to the intricate production, every track is carefully crafted to deliver both emotional depth and infectious energy. Boone’s vocals are consistently top-notch, effortlessly navigating from intimate, vulnerable moments to powerful, stadium-ready anthems. The production throughout the album is nothing short of epic, layered, dynamic, and at times mindblowing, creating a rich soundscape that elevates each song beyond the ordinary.
By blending nostalgic influences with fresh, modern sensibilities, Boone proves he’s more than just a memorable voice or a charismatic performer; he’s a versatile artist with a clear vision. Whether he’s exploring youthful anxieties, love’s messy aftermath, or playful romantic pleas, American Heart, holds your attention with sincerity and style. It’s an album that not only meets expectations but often exceeds them, leaving listeners excited to see where Benson Boone’s journey takes him next.
Words by Danielle Holian
