Benson Boone's Unique Sound: Dispelling Harry Styles Comparisons

Kenji Nakamura

4 min read

Post on Apr 26, 2025

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Vocal Prowess: A Different Timbre and Technique

Benson Boone possesses a powerful, emotive vocal range that stands in stark contrast to Harry Styles' more laid-back, often falsetto-heavy style. While Styles' vocals are undeniably smooth and charming, Boone’s approach is significantly different. His singing style is characterized by:

• Greater vocal power and range: Boone consistently demonstrates a wider vocal range and the ability to hit powerful high notes with ease, a capability less frequently showcased by Styles. His delivery is often more robust and full-bodied.

• More raw, emotionally charged delivery: Boone's vocals often convey a rawness and vulnerability that adds depth and emotional impact to his songs. This contrasts with Styles' sometimes more polished and controlled vocal delivery.

• Use of distinct vocal runs and phrasing: Boone incorporates intricate vocal runs and phrasing that add a unique texture and flair to his performances, creating a signature sound readily distinguishable from Styles' more straightforward approach.

Consider "Ghost Town," for example. Boone's powerful belts and controlled nuances in this track clearly showcase a vocal dexterity that goes beyond the typical pop ballad. This differs significantly from the smoother, more controlled vocals often heard in Harry Styles' work.

Songwriting Style: Beyond Boy-Band Pop

While both artists undeniably operate within the pop genre, Boone’s songwriting delves into more introspective and personal territories than Styles' often upbeat narratives. The key differences in their songwriting styles include:

• Boone explores vulnerability and deeper emotional themes: His lyrics often grapple with complex emotions, personal experiences, and introspective reflections, creating a sense of intimacy and relatability with his audience.

• Styles leans more towards upbeat, carefree narratives: Styles' songwriting often focuses on love, relationships, and partying, generally projecting a more carefree and lighthearted vibe.

• Boone's songwriting often exhibits a folk-pop influence: A distinct folk-pop influence permeates many of Boone's songs, adding layers of acoustic instrumentation and storytelling that are less prominent in Styles' discography.

Comparing "In the Stars" to a typical Harry Styles upbeat track like "As It Was" illustrates this point perfectly. "In the Stars" evokes a reflective mood with layered instrumentation and emotionally resonant lyrics, whereas "As It Was" adopts a brighter, more immediately catchy melody and lyrics.

Musical Influences and Genre Blending

The diverse musical influences shaping Benson Boone's sound significantly differ from Harry Styles' primary inspirations. This difference contributes greatly to their distinct sounds:

• Boone's blend of pop, folk, and country influences: Boone's music showcases a rich tapestry of influences, incorporating elements of folk and country music into his pop foundation, giving his sound a unique texture and depth.

• Styles' blend of pop, rock, and funk influences: Styles' musical palette leans more towards a blend of pop, rock, and funk, resulting in a sound that is often more energetic and upbeat.

• Specific artists that influence each artist's sound: While Styles draws inspiration from classic rock artists and 70s funk influences, Boone's sound is arguably more influenced by contemporary singer-songwriters and folk artists, resulting in a more introspective and emotionally resonant musical output.

These differing influences are clearly audible in their respective bodies of work, leading to vastly different listening experiences.

Stage Presence and Persona

Analyzing their stage presence further underscores the differences between the two artists. Their individual performances reveal distinct approaches to engaging their audience:

• Boone often projects a more intimate, vulnerable connection with the audience: Boone's live performances often emphasize a close, personal connection with his audience, fostering an intimate and emotionally charged atmosphere.

• Styles often embodies a more charismatic, flamboyant persona: Styles’ stage presence is known for its charisma, flamboyance, and energetic choreography, creating a more vibrant and spectacle-driven performance.

• Differences in their live performances: Observing videos of their live performances clearly showcases these distinct approaches. Boone's performances are more subdued yet emotionally powerful, while Styles' performances are more dynamic and overtly charismatic.

Conclusion

While the initial comparison between Benson Boone and Harry Styles might seem reasonable given their shared genre and youthful appeal, a closer examination reveals Benson Boone’s distinct artistic identity. His unique vocal prowess, introspective songwriting, diverse influences, and intimate stage presence all contribute to a sound that is undeniably his own. Instead of focusing on comparisons, let's celebrate Benson Boone for the original and incredibly talented artist that he is. Go explore his music and discover the unique world of Benson Boone's sound for yourself!