Benson Boone, Walk Me Home… | Album Review 💿

Emerging pop singer/songwriter Benson Boone shows plenty of potential on his enjoyable, debut EP, Walk Me Home…

Ah, there’s nothing better than fresh, young talent.  🎙 Benson Boone exemplifies those characteristics, not to mention that he totally looks the part of a star.  It makes perfect sense to me why 🎙 Dan Reynolds (of 🎙 Imagine Dragons) signed him to his label.  Finally, after releasing multiple singles, Boone presents his debut EP, 💿 Walk Me Home… All in all, this is a fine introduction to an artist who has ample potential.  His best attribute? The voice!

“Ghost Town”

“It’s dark, it’s cold / If my hand is not the one you’re meant to hold.” Whoa! 🤩🎵 “Ghost Town” begins Benson Boone’s artistic journey on Walk Me Home… A gorgeous, soaring ballad, it plays directly to his strengths.  How so? Well, the young man has a robust voice with a wide range, which is successfully captured in this opener.  Where does this ghost town come into play? Oh, matters of the heart, of course, as the aforementioned lyrics suggest.  The chorus sums up Boone’s heart situation perfectly:

“Maybe you’d be happier with someone else

Maybe loving me’s the reason you can’t love yourself

Before I turn your heart into a ghost town

Show me everything we built so I can tear it all down

Down, down, down, down.”

Woo! 🎵 “Let Me Go” continues the momentum and marks another successful script for Benson Boone. Once more, Boone gives us a ballad – his preferred type of song. His vocals are incredibly expressive during the verses, building to a momentous, powerful chorus.  During the chorus, Boone gives chills, during his ‘powered’ vocals as well as his more majestic falsetto.  “Let Me Go” marks another radiant song, if a bit shorter than I would’ve like.  Regardless, it does its job showcasing the full potential of a budding star.

“I’m screaming at a God, I don’t know if I believe in / ‘Cause I don’t know what else I can do.” Now that’s a faith crisis, right there! 🤩 🎵 “In The Stars” marked my very first-time hearing Benson.  We all know first times are special, and that was the case hearing “In the Stars.” In the context of Walk Me Home…, this is Boone’s third consecutive ballad, which might ordinarily feel a bit monotonous.  However, this medium – big-voiced songs – is where a gifted artist like him is at his best.  Beyond his exceptional vocal on “In The Stars,” Boone’s songwriting, alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Jason Evigan (also produces) and 🎼 ✍ Michael Pollack, is elite.  What makes it so elite? Thematically, it encompasses loss (“Now you’re in the stars and six-feet’s never felt so far”).

“Better Alone” 

The ballads continue for Benson Boone on Walk Me Home… and honestly, that’s a good thing. On the impressive 🤩 🎵 “Better Alone”, Boone doesn’t reveal all of his cards at first.  He’s more poised on the verses yet still brings ample expression and nuance. After building up slow but steady, Benson busts free on the chorus, which is simple but incredibly telling:

“Maybe I’m better alone (Alone, alone)

I’ll say I’ll get better, I won’t (ooh-ooh)

Maybe I’m better alone.”

Besides his soaring lead, the backing vocals are gorgeous, and the production (🎛 Jason Suwito and 🎛 Chris Murdoch) shines brightly.  The backdrop is colorful and sets up Benson superbly.  Of course, the best part of this reflective, heartfelt record is the end from the bridge onward.  Boone showcases some of the most inspired vocals you’ll ever hear from someone so young and still emerging as an artist. 

After four, well-rounded ballads, 🎵 “Nights Like These” gives Boone a bit more tempo and groove.  This is another win for Benson.  The record, written by Boone and 🎼 ✍ Nolan Sipe, has some folk-pop elements.  At the same time, the falsetto-laden chorus is modern, R&B-infused pop through and through.  Once more, it’s the chorus where the artist truly shows off his skills.  The chorus is incredibly tuneful – it easily gets stuck in your head.  He follows with 🎵 “Empty Heart Shaped Box,” which returns him to his comfort zone – balladry.  Again, his tone is gorgeous, particularly as he exhibits poise on during the verse.  Still, when he ‘lets her rip’ during the chorus, it’s a sight – rather – an auditory experience to behold.  Have I mentioned this kid can just flat-out sing?

“Room For 2”

Penultimate cut 🤩 🎵 “Room For 2” is a clear change of pace. Here, Boone has more of a driving, semi-danceable groove during the verses.  No, it’s not ready-made for the disco by any means, but contextually, the groove hits different.  Still, after the drive eventually fades, “Room For 2” sounds fundamentally like much of what we’ve heard on Walk Me Home…, which is a good thing.  Thematically, Benson explores the familiar: love.  Ah, it never grows stale, does it? On his second single, he makes it clear that he’ll “Open up my heart for you / Baby, I got room for two.” His chivalry and dedication are sweet.

🎵 “Work of Art” concludes the 24-minute EP strongly. The big takeaway is Boone’s dope pipes.  I love the soaring chorus with powered-up vocals through most of it.  Even so, I dig how Benson ends the first chorus ‘kinder and gentler’ with falsetto vocals – pretty sweet. Also, shout out those potent vocal harmonies, which give the chorus an anthemic feel.  Finally, how about the contrast of Boone performing the outro (another iteration of the chorus, ultimately) in his mid-register? This kid has some chops!

Final Thoughts 💭

If you haven’t partaken of Benson Boone, you are missing out. Yes, he’s incredibly handsome – you can’t deny his looks – but he’s clearly more than a pretty face.  Boone has a spectacular instrument in his hands, one, when paired with the right songs, could make him a superstar.  Walk Me Home… marks a great start in my eyes. I wouldn’t consider the EP the second coming of pop, but I do consider it a great introduction to an artist who can ‘do some damage’ in the best way possible.  

🤩 Gems 💎: “Ghost Town,” “In The Stars,” “Better Alone” & “Room For 2” 

🎙 Benson Boone • 💿 Walk Me Home… • 🏷 Night Street / Warner • 🗓 7.29.22

[📷: Night Street / Warner]