With ‘American Heart’, Benson Boone will likely cement his spot as a chart golden boy, but rather than becoming known for his own distinctive sound, he’ll instead haunt the airwaves with an approach that reads like a jukebox stacked with other people’s hits.
The former American Idol contestant and TikTok star’s second album shares some similarities with its predecessor. If Boone’s 2024 debut ‘Fireworks & Rollerblades’ lived in the shadow of its superhit Beautiful Things, ‘American Heart’ spends half an hour trying to escape from the frothy synth-pop of its lead single Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else.
In doing so Boone and his trimmed-down cadre of co-writers and producers do hit upon some distinctive choruses (Man In Me, I Wanna Be The One You Call) but, broadly speaking, there’s nothing here that we haven’t heard before.
Reminds Me Of You is Hard Life’s indie-pop viewed through a prism of Maroon 5 and early Bruno Mars, while Mr Electric Blue simultaneously reimagines Boone as ‘Born In The U.S.A’-era Springsteen and Elton John circa ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’. Wanted Man might have soundtracked every single car advert you’ve seen in the last decade.
At the other end of the scale, Momma Song and Take Me Home should be softly-spun tapestries for the ones Boone loves. Instead, these anthems for watching paint dry drag on and on, so much so that you’ll sleep through a chunk of the album’s second half.
And the most egregious offence? Mystical Magical, a knock-off Harry Styles number complete with swooning falsetto, madcap lyrics that make no sense, and a funky groove. It’s a sickly slice of cake with an instant sugar fix melody. Ironically, it’s the best song on the album and probably the worst at the same time. But, amid so much filler, at least it stands out.
Benson Boone Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu October 23 2025 - BELFAST SSE Arena Belfast
Fri October 24 2025 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Sun October 26 2025 - MANCHESTER Co-op Live
Mon October 27 2025 - MANCHESTER Co-op Live
Thu October 30 2025 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Sat November 01 2025 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena Birmingham
Mon November 03 2025 - LONDON O2 Arena
Tue November 04 2025 - LONDON O2 Arena
Wed November 05 2025 - LONDON O2 Arena
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
