The Benson Boone-Doggle

July 8, 2025·32 min·1 clip

Two music experts celebrate the return of snark in pop music criticism, targeting one controversial artist in particular.

Hosts Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding open by celebrating the return of negative criticism in pop music, specifically targeting Benson Boone, whose mega-hit 'Beautiful Things' continues charting despite harsh reviews from Rolling Stone, NME, and Pitchfork. They explore Boone's background as a 23-year-old from Monroe, Washington, who dropped out of Brigham Young University and surprisingly left American Idol after reaching the second round. Signed by Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds, Boone built momentum through TikTok before 'Beautiful Things' peaked at number two on the Hot 100 and hit number one in 19 countries. The hosts analyze four tracks from his new album 'American Heart,' starting with 'Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else,' which they praise for its unique lyrical concept and clever tempo changes reminiscent of A-ha's 'Take On Me.' They find 'Mystical Magical' serviceable despite its obvious interpolation of Olivia Newton-John's 'Physical,' noting Boone's strong vocal performance and distinctive vibrato. However, 'Mama Song' divides them, with one host criticizing its Freddie Mercury comparisons and the other defending its sweet sentiment about maternal love. 'Mr. Electric Blue' receives mixed reactions for its 80s Americana sound and meaningless lyrics, though they acknowledge Boone's self-awareness in the music video. The discussion reveals how Boone's bland, positive messaging makes him both broadly appealing and critically dismissed. They note his clean image, religious background, and signature backflips as part of his innocuous persona. A Slate article from a mother defending Boone to other parents provides counterpoint to the criticism, praising his positive influence on teenage boys. The hosts conclude that while Boone may lack the subversive edge traditionally associated with pop music, there might be value in his safe, optimistic approach. They acknowledge his undeniable vocal talent and star quality while questioning whether contemporary audiences want more challenging content from their pop stars. The episode ends with recognition that Boone's success, despite critical disdain, reflects something meaningful about current pop culture preferences.

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