Benson Boone
Album Review by Brittany Ormiston
Benson Boone is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has taken the world by storm with ethereal vocals and charisma. His highly anticipated debut studio album, Fireworks & Rollerblades, was released on April 5th through Night Street and Warner Records. Benson considers this body of work his “greatest achievement yet,” and it is proof that he has found his niche, his groove. Fireworks & Rollerblades is the perfect companion for crying, screaming into the void, and an overall cathartic experience that results in ultimate healing.
The album begins with an elegant piano riff as Benson sings, “It’s only you and me and I.” As the pace picks up, the intro feels similar to that of a movie scene where a romantic gesture is being made and the world is frozen in time. The impeccable transition into ‘Be Someone’ continues the story of admiring that person and wanting to get to know them. Benson describes their physical characteristics, and how he desires to be THE person they run to for anything. The bridge dives a bit deeper as the lyrics mentions “somebody to love, somebody to be // someone to sweep you off your feet.” The catchy drum loop ends with an energetic piano riff before fading off into the distance. Listeners are swept up in this whirlwind romance during ‘Slow It Down’ with the passion exploding through Benson’s vocals. The lyricism depicts wanting to slow down to truly treasure the moments with the one you love, and simultaneously being that person’s crutch through the ups and downs of life. The production and instrumentation amplify the songwriting, and can be compared to riding a wave with the crest as the highest point and the trough being the lowest.
Benson’s ballad of ‘Forever And A Day’ deserves the award for best gesture of affection. He sings about being drawn to that person instantly, and knowing that he has loved them in every lifetime. “In all my lives, I've waited every time to hear you say // I'm yours forever and a day,” Benson belts out during the chorus with a magnificent string arrangement in accompaniment. While listening to the track, you can picture Benson sitting at a grand piano in all white and declaring his love. This track in particular touches the human soul so deeply, and solidifies the hopeless romantic in all of us. The tables begin to turn during ‘Beautiful Things.’ The songwriting describes the struggle of trying to appreciate all he has, including the one he loves, but at the same time living in fear that one day it will all be ripped away. Self-sabotage has now entered the chat with Benson’s exquisite vibrato leading the way. ‘Beautiful Things’ is officially Benson’s first global number one, and is very well-deserved.
The second half of the album flips the narrative, and listeners can physically feel the heartbreak and the pain exhibited through each track. With the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar, ‘My Greatest Fear’ discusses the moments where he can feel his significant other slipping away and by the end all that is left are the memories they shared. “I would take your hand if I could reach it // Pull it back but you’re already gone.” The instrumentals fade into nothingness to signify the emptiness felt. ‘There She Goes’ and ‘Hello Love’ go hand-in-hand as Benson sings about being lost without that person, and walking around aimlessly not knowing what to do. Every day feels as if he is going through the motions, and in survival mode. The agony continues with ‘Love Of Mine’ with the longingness to be in their arms once again despite the consequences and the past. The backup vocals and softness to the production helped to further paint the picture of what used to be.
After going through the five stages of grief, Benson is begging to be pulled out of a dark hole and back to life during ‘Friend.’ He is “trying to remember what it’s like to be young and alive,” and the power he holds. ‘Cry’ is the breakup song of the century with Benson giving off main character energy, and the kick drum being the co-star. The rage he channels through his vocals indicates he is done being walked all over, and is moving on. “I’m tired of letting someone get the best of me so go ahead and cry, cry // Go ahead and ruin someone else’s life,” Benson shouts during the chorus. The album closes with ‘What Do You Want,’ a sister song to ‘Cry’ as it evokes similar emotions. Benson feels on top of the world, and has broken free of the shackles that bound him to his past toxic relationship. “Not even hell could hold me down, your words mean nothing to me,” he sings triumphantly. This track is the perfect exit for a magnificent album.
Fireworks & Rollerblades is a diaristic masterpiece crafted to perfection. The passion behind Benson’s vocals is out of this world, and yet he has a gentleness to how he sings every word. His signature of slow verses and more intense choruses keeps listeners on their toes, and locks them in through all 15 tracks. Similar to reading an extraordinary book, the world appears to stop spinning on its axis while you delve into this life-altering album. The album title tells you all you need to know about life and love. Fireworks and rollerblades: relationships have sparks and excitement, but also can be dangerous, move too quickly, crash and burn. In the end you pick yourself back up and seize the moment. Fireworks & Rollerblades, you are truly a work of art.
