Benson Boone: an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a newly released album! Fireworks & Rollerblades was released on April 5, 2024. In the past, and currently, Boone has been gaining a larger and larger following on social media, attracting a lot of attention to his old and new music. Recently, we — Knight Krier News —received a PR package with Benson Boone posters promoting his new album, so I felt like I needed to do a review. So here we go. Here is my honest review on Benson Boone’s newest album: Fireworks & Rollerblades.

OVERALL RATING OF THE ALBUM

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1.) Intro

Right off the bat, I really enjoyed the piano chords that led into Boone singing. They create a light, airy, fun mood. As soon as Benson started singing, I could tell his voice was different. Some voice tuning or something to make his voice sound like that of an old recording — which I very much enjoyed. I liked how the song started off more quiet and laid back, but slowly crescendo-ed into this more energized piece. The repetition of the same lyrics: “Do you believe there is a life where it’s just you and me and I? We don’t need to wait, we don’t need a sign, it’s only you and me and I,” really symbolize their importance — not just in a singular song perspective, but throughout the entire album. “Intro” is the introduction of this album, showcasing what might be in store for the songs to follow. The instruments used in the back really bring this song together: the strings just complement his voice very well. My favorite part, though, is how the end of this song kind of transitions into the next song. I really love it when neighboring songs on an album do this — it is the coolest!

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2.) Be Someone

Okay, so there are parts of this song I just don’t care for. On one hand, I like his voice, but I really didn’t care for the lyrics. I liked how he used all of the lyrics from “Intro” throughout this song, I thought that was clever. Towards the beginning of the song, Benson says how this girl he loves “has a moon tattoo” that she doesn’t “even hide”, and that she is “so unusual”. Personally, I just don’t like how he worded that. I’m not offended, I just think it’s weird. Maybe he likes “bad girls” that get tattoos without their moms’ permission, I don’t know. Whatever you like, Benson. I will give him this though, the beat is quite nice. I could see myself bopping to this beat in the car (if I ever decide to listen to this song again) if I deem in necessary.

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3.) Slow It Down

I know this song had picked up on TikTok and other social media sites, and people may be sick of it, but I still really like it. I just absolutely love his voice in this. I think his voice portrays so much emotion, and really portrays his passion — for music, for the song itself, for what he’s singing about, etc. The chorus and the build-up to the chorus are probably my favorite things about this song. I really like the one line: “Take a moment now, we’re too young to drown.” I think the reason I like it so much is the fact it shows how when you love someone young — maybe as a teenager or young adult — you care for them so deeply and you always want to make sure they stay floating with you. Benson is saying here that when you’re young and in love, take it easy, go slow, be there for each other no matter what may be happening. You may be “full of hopeless doubt”, but you have each other, and that is what matters most. I really like how throughout this song, you can begin to hear the true stretch of Benson’s vocal range and how powerful his higher notes are. He really does have an incredible range that I admire. This song has to be one of my favorites out of the whole album, and I hope you can understand why.

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4.) Beautiful Things

Though I know this song has been overplayed too much — especially on TikTok and other social media sites just like “Slow It Down” — I still find myself singing along! The thing I like most about this song is the natural buildup with the help of specific instrumentals in the back. The lyrics overall were nice, and I liked how he captured the essence of true love and the devotion for that loved one. Throughout the entire song, Benson refers to how God sent the girl of his dreams his way, and he is grateful every day that he did that. On the other hand, though, Benson knows how easily these things can be taken away (“But I know the things He gives me, He can take away.”). Overall, I really enjoy this song. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite, but it is still pretty good.

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5.) Cry

This song has a special place in my heart for sure. I relate to the lyrics, and I really think a lot of people can as well. How I see this song is how someone would feel about a messy friendship that ends up being toxic. Boone really does a nice job of capturing the true rage and absolute anger someone can feel from being “friends” with someone who turns out to be a terrible person (who in the end makes you feel worse about almost everything). One part of the song that I especially like is towards the end. Boone had been singing lyrics like “I bite my tongue and let you think I only wish you well”, “And I’m tired of letting someone get the best of me, so go ahead and cry”, etc. But towards the end, he has a set of lyrics that go as follows: “And maybe you’re the honest type and it’s been me the whole damn time. I should really try to calm my mind and see things from your side”, and at the last second, twists it back to “or maybe you can cry”. I don’t know why I like these lyrics so much, but I really do. Boone wants this other person to make it seem like he forgives them, but deep down he doesn’t in the slightest. Overall, I really enjoy Boone’s singing in this song. His voice has a really cool sound to it, and it really seems to pop in this song. Great song!

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6.) Forever and a Day

Compared to the other previous songs on this album, “Forever and a Day” was a much slower one. Boone really utilized his head voice in this song, and I think it is so pretty! The use of his head voice really suits the rhythm and the overall tone of this song. The lyrics were really cute and heart-felt. I know it’s just another love song, but I am a sucker for cheesy love songs. Lyrics like: “These butterflies lived a million lives to say ‘I swear I’ve known you longer than forever and a day’” really make this song come together in my mind. Towards the middle of the song’s pace begins to quicken, which I think symbolizes how Boone is trying to stress the words he is saying. Yet it was another stereotypical love song, this song was very nice to listen to. With the combination of his voice and the cool instrumentals used in the back, it was a relatively good song, and I would listen to it again.

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7.) In The Stars

I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but this song is yet again one of those songs that have been circulating throughout social media. Because of that, and because it’s been repeated so many times, it is not my favorite. If it hadn’t been repeated so much on the radio and social media, I would like it a lot more. Looking past all of that, it’s a decent song. “In The Stars”, unlike its neighboring songs on the album, is a much sadder song. From what the lyrics suggest, Boone has lost someone really close to him, someone he loved. He recounts all of the things he loved about her and all of the memories of her and what they did together. He still holds on to these memories and is struggling to let go. I know this song can be relatable to a lot of people who have faced/are facing the harsh reality of a loss. Boone is vocalizing emotions that may be hard for people to express, and I really like that about this song.

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8.) Drunk In My Head

Okay WOW! Something about this song made me fall in love with it the first time I heard it. Right off the bat, the song begins with a nice steady beat and a relaxing tone. Ignoring the lyrics, it’s almost comforting, a warm hug. I don’t know how else to say this, but the chorus fits the whole song. I guess what I’m trying to say is no matter at what point the song is at, the chorus was able to relate to that part of the song. In some songs I feel like the choruses are just put as choruses to fill the space — but in this song, it fits perfectly, like a missing puzzle piece. Another thing I really enjoyed while listening was the choir in the back (kind of towards the end of the song — and I honestly think it may be Benson but different pitches, vocal ranges, etc to make it sound like a choir). They really brought the entire thing together, and brought my spirit up, making me love the song even more. Boone talks about the experience of loving someone, even after they may have broken your heart — because sometimes you can’t get enough of them. You just keep going back to this person, no matter what negative effects they have had on you or your mind. Surprisingly, this might be one of my favorite songs on this album.

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9.) My Greatest Fear

Another song about love and losing someone — starting to see a theme? Though I think this is a good song overall, I just think the same theme of love and loss and not wanting to let go is starting to get a little repetitive. On the other hand, I understand that this is what the album is about, and Boone is really passionate about what he’s singing. Besides those little things, the song was alright. Something in particular I liked about this song was how it ended. Boone went from a belt to a nice soft head voice, and I think that added a beautiful touch to end on (end on a good note, am I right?). By ending the song in his head voice, it closed off the lyrics nicely and almost wrapped this song up in a metaphorical bow. As always, Boone sounded really good and I really enjoy listening to him sing. He just has a certain voice and a certain style that I have always admired. His voice just fits — and it has the kind of tone that I love listening to. And honestly, this song — along with all of his other songs — are the kinds of songs I could have in the background while I work on homework or complete chores. His voice and his songs are easy to listen to, and it doesn’t take much thinking to enjoy.

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10.) There She Goes

Benson Boone, you got me with this one. Towards the beginning of this song, his singing was slow and connected, creating a mellow tone (but at the same time, it was a little lively — it was a cool mixture of techniques). I was beginning to believe this song was going to be a slow one entirely, but I was mistaken. It began to pick up pace, and the instrumentals in the background made me tap along to the beat — it reminded me of the quickening of a heartbeat, or the build-up of anticipation you get when something exciting is about to happen. I think this quickening is supposed to symbolize the feeling of gaining hope when the love of his life first came around. Before her, the world was slow, dreary, dull. But when she came around, he felt like himself again: happy, whole, never alone. That’s the reason for the change in mood and rhythm: because of her. I really really liked how he did this with his music. I love being able to pick out the symbolism and geek out over it. Overall this was a great song. Another cheesy pop love song, woohoo!

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11.) Hello Love

“Won’t you hold me while the storm is in my head? Oh I’m alone and I can barely catch my breath” was probably my favorite line from this song. As a whole, I really liked the rhyming schemes placed throughout this song — they flow together very nicely. The piano interlude halfway through the piece that led into a more upbeat melody was very nice. It was a smooth transition into the rest of it. I thought this song was alright, it’s not my favorite but I don’t hate it. I feel like Boone puts the same amount of effort in all of his songs, and they all are heartfelt and close to home. I know plenty of people could relate to his music and find it enjoyable. Another good song.

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12.) Ghost Town

At first, I didn’t think I knew this song, but I did! It’s an older song that I guess Boone decided to add to his new album, which I like. I’m not sure if he re-recorded it for this new album, but either way I really liked it. This song feels different from the other songs, I can’t describe it. The general progression Of the song is very lovely and fluid, it all blends together very nicely. I feel like my opinion on this one is a tad bit biased because I’ve heard it before, but I really do like it! The way Boone’s voice slides and “moves” throughout this song makes for a very satisfying sound, and it is absolutely perfect! I could listen to this song over and over again, I cannot stress enough how much I love how Boone sounds in this song (and just in general — he has a very nice singing voice). “Ghost Town” is probably one of my favorite songs from this album!!

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13.) Love Of Mine

“Love Of Mine” is another song from this album about love and loss, and honestly I’m not complaining too much. In the first half of the song, Boone sings about losing his “love” (“Oh my love, where have you gone?”). But then, towards the second half, he talks about losing himself (“Oh my love, where have I gone?”), which I enjoyed. Songs that do that always are cool to me, and I couldn’t really tell you a good reason why. On the other hand, this song — again — is like a bunch of the other songs on this album (love and loss, missing someone he used to love). At this point in my review, I’m starting to not really hear a major difference between some of these songs. Benson Boone, you are incredibly talented, and your voice is very nice to listen to, but you’re starting to lose me a little bit. Overall another nice-sounding song, well done.

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14.) Friend

Okay, this song is sweet. In summary, Boone is talking about needing a friend when he needs it most when he’s at an all-time low. I really appreciated hearing this song and listening to the lyrics — they aren’t complicated or crazily difficult to understand, and I feel like a lot of people can relate to them. I think this song is a great representation of needing help when you may be struggling mentally, and just needing someone by your side, even if they just sit with you. “When everything is blue, all I need is you” … “And I need a friend, I need a friend, somebody when the world starts caving in. I need your hand, I need a friend.” Again, as simple as those lyrics may seem, they are truly powerful. It can be so very difficult for people who are struggling to reach out to someone, to let them know they need help. And really, all someone needs is a friend. Friends really make a world of difference. Boone does a really nice job of portraying the importance of love and friendship throughout this song, and I thank him for that.

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15.) What Do You Want

Being the closing song of the album, it is a nice one. “What Do You Want” is a song about bending yourself backward for someone, protecting them, loving them, caring for them, and just for them to take advantage of you. Boone sings about how he poured out his heart for this love interest but then sang how it quickly turned sour. There are so many things I enjoyed about this one. To start, I love, love, love how Boone constantly changed from using his chest voice to head voice. No matter how he sings, it always sounds so controlled and full of passion. Secondly, I like how towards the middle-ish/end of the song, the tempo and vibe changed — completely shifting the song into being more upbeat and bright. Third, I like how after he sang “Oh it makes me want to scream”, he actually screamed the following lyric! I just thought it was so cool! Usually when artists say in songs ‘that makes me want to scream’, I feel like they usually don’t scream. Finally, I really like how at the end of the song, the music starts to slowly fade into silence. Those kinds of song outros are like a little bow on top of the song-present — a satisfying ending to a lovely piece of music.

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As a whole, this album was pretty good. I liked that there was some older music incorporated into this album alongside his newer pieces. At times I felt like many songs sounded similar, especially the ones that were directly about love. But honestly, Benson Boone has a really nicely sounding voice, and it really suits the music he has composed and has sung. Very nicely done all around.

Overall album rating: 7/10