Album Review: "American Heart" - Benson Boone

Cheyenne Johnson
Jul 5
4 min read

Photo credits: Spotify

A testament to Benson Boone's motivation to transcend the success of his hit single "Beautiful Things," American Heart pushes the artist's creativity to new heights. The unapologetically pop-rock album blends retro nostalgia with plenty of contemporary attitude, drawing inspiration from Bruce Springsteen and Americana music to create Boone's second top 10 album in the US.

TRACK LIST:

1. Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else

2. Mr Electric Blue

3. Man In Me

4. Mystical Magical

5. Reminds Me Of You

6. Momma Song

7. I Wanna Be The One You Call

8. Wanted Man

9. Take Me Home

10. Young American Heart

Quickly becoming a viral sensation in the pop world, Benson Boone began making major strides in his career in the early 2020's. The artist began his ascent after briefly competing on American Idol in 2021, later withdrawing from the show and gaining traction on TikTok. After his popularity grew on the social media app, Boone signed with Dan Reynolds' Night Street Records label and released his beloved singles, "Ghost Town" and "In the Stars." Releasing his debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades, in 2024, Boone has achieved global fame and recognition as the album spawned his most well-known hit, "Beautiful Things," and climbed charts internationally. Following the immense success of this debut, Benson Boone has come back better than ever and reaches for the stars with his sophomore album, American Heart.

Starting American Heart off in a blaze of glory, Benson Boone delivers two exhilarating pop-rock tracks right off the bat. "Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else" was released as the lead single from the album, giving fans a taste of the thrilling and rousing sonic journey Boone would take us on with this body of work. The track is reminiscent of Harry Styles or a mature One Direction, full of unforgettable melodies, impactful climaxes, and spunky instrumentals. Matching this energy, "Mr Electric Blue" is the second entry on American Heart and is a shockingly electrifying tribute to Boone's father. The track drips '80s synth-pop attitude, serving up sounds that could rival the iconic band Electric Light Orchestra.

Staying true to the '70s and '80s influences behind American Heart, "Man In Me" samples the darker side of synth-pop as he pairs a poignant narrative of emotional loss in a relationship with an infectious, danceable pop-rock sound. The track explores Boone grappling with the man he lost in himself as his significant other stripped away his identity, leaving him lamenting and mourning his past self. The artist's vocal performance is breathtaking on this entry, not only showing off his vocal range but also his ability to infuse powerful, gut-wrenching emotion into the delivery of his lines. Moving back to something more lighthearted, "Mystical Magical" is the shimmering, sparkling next entry on this album that served as the second single from American Heart. The track features a heavy use of synths to convey Boone's feelings of ethereal, other-worldly love and being high on life, all while using interpolations from Olivia Newton-John's "Physical."

Slowing things down a bit, Benson Boone channels his inner Bruno Mars with "Reminds Me Of You." The track is a mid-tempo soul rock ballad, featuring a reflective narrative longing for lost love and showcasing Boone's soaring vocals over a rich instrumentation. Following with one of the most stunning entries on American Heart, Boone delivers the masterpiece that is "Momma Song," pouring every fiber of his soul and being into this heartfelt tribute to his mother. The track shows a homesick Boone experiencing the challenges of adulthood and being far from home while grappling with the bittersweet feelings that come with realizing someone you love so much, like your mother, won't always be there. A tender, emotional ballad, Boone wears his heart on his sleeve as he delivers line after powerful line about needing to hold onto every memory he can of his mother because one day, that's all he'll have left of her.

Picking up momentum, "I Wanna Be The One" brings us back to the upbeat synth-laden sounds driving American Heart. The track pairs longing for a love connection with an explosive pop-rock/synth-pop soundscape that sounds like Harry Styles with a fresh twist. There's no denying Boone's talent on this song as the artist pushes his vocal range to the fullest, showcasing his impressive falsetto. Another addictive entry on American Heart, "Wanted Man" is the edgiest song on the album, giving artists like Adam Lambert a run for their money when it comes to delivering fiery, strutting pop-rock anthems. The track challenges Boone's usual light-hearted, contemporary pop sounds, shedding light on the artist's aggressive side.

Throwing one more ballad into the mix, "Take Me Home" gives us a scaled-back, tender soundscape while taking a break from the album's more intense songs. The track features a softer instrumentation, incorporating a sense of calm through the subtle piano and acoustic guitar lines that eventually build into a lush climax. Ending on a high note, "Young American Heart" wraps this album up nicely with an anthem about the dreams, freedom, courage, and naivety that come with youth. The track is rightfully explosive and buoyant, celebrating what it's like to be young and free over a fierce and spirited pop-rock soundscape.

While American Heart may have received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike, it certainly has something for everyone to enjoy. The album is a solid follow-up to Benson Boone's debut album, proving the singer-songwriter is capable of producing plenty of commercial hits for the world to enjoy. An evolving artist aiming to expand his creative vision, Boone has proven there is so much more to him than "Beautiful Things" and has created a work of art he should be absolutely proud of.

Written By Cheyenne Johnson