Kevin Abstract seems like an endearing alt-rock frontman in a rapper's body. On American Boyfriend, his sophomore album, he explores the insecurities and ravages of his high school years.
EDIT FROM 2 YEARS IN THE FUTURE: Turns out I'm gay.
It kinda scares me how much this album clicked.
A lot of you aren’t going to agree on this, but this is better than any Saturation album.
Kevin perfectly formulated an incredible concept album about an African American teenager in the closet, and as a straight half white male, I can totally relate. But in all seriousness, this album perfectly captures what it is like to feel like you can’t have a voice or be yourself around loved ones, and how it can kill you in the inside. Right from the get go, Empty emerges from the album and ... read more
Kevin Abstract gives me everything I wanted from Frank Ocean's new album on American Boyfriend (Hell, there's even pictures of Kevin wearing a car racing helmet, very similar to the pictures of Frank which came out around the release of Blonde). Hip hop influenced pop/r&b with a slight experimental taste to it. There are no super impressive lyrics, none of the songs stray very far away from the central theme of love, and there are 0 features. What stands out to me the most on American ... read more
This is so much more influential than anyone realizes. Like, it's so beyond what you could just immediately see. You couldn't really ask someone "What album inspires you?" and have people respond with "American Boyfriend by Kevin Abstract." But it's there, deeply ingrained.
The album was pretty good, nothing i find AMAZING about it, but it's a solid album with solid writing.
cannot express how much i love this album. despite being his debut, this is still (to date) kevin's best entry into his discography in my eyes. it feels like you're listening to the soundtrack for a coming of age movie, though i would argue it explores more mature themes and concepts than those movies often do. it's cohesive, the performances are powerful, and it's a beautiful piece of work.
1 | Empty 3:14 | 91 |
2 | Seventeen 2:45 | 85 |
3 | Blink 2:55 | 79 |
4 | Friendship 0:23 | 75 |
5 | Tattoo 3:26 | 82 |
6 | Yellow 3:31 | 84 |
7 | Suburbian Born 1:08 | 76 |
8 | Kin 0:28 | 79 |
9 | Runner 2:57 | 88 |
10 | Flintridge 0:37 | 74 |
11 | Papercut 3:27 | 87 |
12 | June 29th 0:48 | 80 |
13 | Miserable America 2:44 | 91 |
14 | American Boyfriend 3:58 | 91 |
15 | Echo 2:35 | 83 |
16 | I Do (End Credits) 2:38 | 74 |
#10 | / | Vulture |
#13 | / | Dazed |
#35 | / | Noisey |
#39 | / | Pigeons & Planes |