Ben Platt, Andrew | Song Review 🎵

On “Andrew,” pop singer/songwriter Ben Platt delivers an authentic, honest, and thoughtfully penned song, released in advance of his third LP, Honeymind.

“His hair falls in cool careless waves without tryin’ / Goes days without cryin’ / But still treats me kind.” Oh, “Andrew”! More like, oh, Ben Platt! Platt is a talented actor, singer, and songwriter.  He penned “Andrew,” an advance single/third track from his third studio album, Honeymind (arrives May 31, 2024), alongside Alex Hope. Hope also produced the four-minute gem alongside Dave Cobb.  The sound is celestial, giving off folk-pop vibes.  The core instrumentation: guitar, keys, bass, drums, and layered vocals.

As always, Ben Platt delivers gorgeous vocals. His tone is BEAUTIFUL.  He sings expressively and with ease, never forcing things.  The inspiration for “Andrew” – a boy he had a crush on.  The songwriting superbly captures Platt’s feelings for him.  In the second verse, Platt sings, “He floats through the air unaware of the damage / A hard right of passage for soft-hearted boys.” The pen game is awesome! See the pre-chorus for more excellence: “One look in his eyes and I’m gone / Helplessly dumb / My senses go numb / My brain is on fire / They say wanting someone is supposed to be fun / That’s because they never loved an Andrew.” The perspective will resonate with many in the LGBTQ+ community, crushing on someone who is impossible to attain. See the EVERYTHING chorus for clarity:

“Honey, I know there’s no one to blame

But honestly, damn you

It’s just a cruel joke that chemicals play

You don’t wanna kiss me, ‘cause I’m not at all

Like the girls in the posters that hang on your wall

What a time wasting heartbreak to fall

For an Andrew.”

Notably, the final chorus has a slight variation, but the effect is the same.  All told, “Andrew” is a distinct, singer/songwriter pop record by Platt. Ben Platt deserves plenty of love for this authentic, superbly penned and performed song.

Ben Platt // Honeymind // Interscope // 5.31.24

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Interscope; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]