American Heart

Critical Evaluation:

I actually hadn’t heard of Benson Boone until a couple of weeks ago, when I was on a trip to NYC and DC with a group of soon-to-be high school freshmen. At one point, they were all buzzing with excitement about getting a “Benson Boone cookie” from Crumbl, which made me quickly realized his influence goes far beyond just the music, and that he’s become a full blown pop culture moment for a lot of teens. Curious, I let them play his new album American Heart for me, which is how I ended up hearing it for the first time. I can absolutely see the appeal. It’s catchy and the lyrics have a lot of emotional highs and lows that would appeal to teens. Still, I found myself agreeing with many critics. The album, while energetic is rather surface level and relies on it's pop tone, rather than it does on lyrical depth or originality. Boone has a strong voice and undeniable stage presence, but American Heart sometimes feels like it’s trying too hard to be the newest summer bop. It’s fun, for sure, and at times even moving (especially “Momma Song”), but it also plays things very safe. There’s definitely potential here, especially for a relatively new artist, and I look forward to seeing what he puts out in the future as he grows as a musician.

Speed Round Book Talk:

American Heart is Benson Boone’s take on pop-rock with a theatrical edge. It touches on love, identity, and growing up, without ever digging too deep. The album is made for music lovers who want something big, pop-y, and fun. 

Reason for Inclusion:

I chose to include American Heart by Benson Boone because it reflects what many teens are listening to right now. His songs might not be the deepest album lyrically, but it's resonating with teen listeners. His popularity and dramatic style also make a great entry point for discussions around music as a form of expression and it's pop culture influence. Including it helps acknowledge the voices and tastes teens are already bringing into the library space.