Ben Platt's Honeymind: a review in vignettes

I have been waiting for this album for what feels like years, even though we've only known about it for a few months. Ben Platt's voice is like, well, honey, and his songwriting is beyond amazing. I won't do this album any justice, but I'm gonna goddamn try.

All image rights belong to Interscope, Ben Platt, and other relevant parties.

Right Kind Of Reckless 

The thrill of breaking rules with no real consequences. Jumping off the highest diving board when you're young. Wishing you were old enough to understand. Realising you've been holding the map upside down this whole time and laughing. The heat of the sun on your arm through the car window. Watching the butterflies flutter by and knowing they could change the world. Having water balloon fights on cold days, and ice cream on the beach while it's raining.

All American Queen 

Coming of age in a time of acceptance. Sand getting caught in the wind and caught in your hair. The lakeside party of your dreams. Living life like it's a Taylor Swift song. The state fair Ferris wheel where you had your first candy-apple kiss. Pep-rally happiness lasting all year round. Milkshakes, apple pie, sundaes, and ice cream floats. Looking at a photo album in the dead of night and feeling like the sun is shining. Pompoms and streamers decorating your memories.

Andrew 

Pins and needles running from your brain to the tips of your fingers. The Debbie Ryan hair tuck. Crushes that feel like the end of the world. Carrying your books in your arms and hoping for your romcom run-in moment. The about-to-fall-asleep imaginings that make your heart ache. Wondering if the pain is worth the hope. Kindness being the most attractive quality. Wishing you could love someone else, anyone else.

Before I Knew You 

That one person you feel like you've known forever but it's only been two months. A bee sleeping in a closed flower overnight. Seeing someone for the first time and knowing they're your person. Not believing you could be so lucky and appreciating every moment. The first rays of sun gently waking you up through a gap in the curtains. Feeling complete for having known them. Knowing that your love will transcend time and space.  

Cherry On Top 

A love that feels like driving with the top down. A full-circle moment laced with growth and care. Falling in love with your best friend. Being partners in everything. Feeling like yourself and also a brand new person whenever you're together. When even the bad days are lit golden because of them. Dancing without a care because you know you'll be caught if you fall. Realising that the cliches are cliches for a reason.

Treehouse (ft. Brandy Clark)

The healing power of a childlike wonder. The weightlessness of falling in love. Taking risks because you know the payoff will be worth it. Komorebi filling your soul with warmth. Watching leaves flutter in the breeze on a summer day. Knowing things could fall apart and holding on anyway. When the harmonies become second nature. Wind chimes becoming the soundtrack to your love.

Fear Of Missing Out 

Setting boundaries and sticking to them. Writing in a journal about your week and realising that you hadn't been yourself. Standing still as the crowd swarms around you. When they ask you where you see yourself in five years, but you can't even see yourself now. The thrill of saying no when you don't want to go. Accepting that you'll forever be learning about yourself. Grieving the person you could have been but celebrating who you are.

Shoe To Drop 

Having your YA meet-cute in your 30s. The barn dance where you meet your first love. Finding the person who balances you out in every situation. The montage of dates in the middle of the romcom. Seeing the joy even on the rainy days. The way the moon shines on rippling water. The town where dancing is outlawed embracing everything fun. Unbridled happiness even in the face of adversity.

Honeymind 

Looking out over a clifftop and feeling safe because of the person next to you. Dust bunnies dancing in streams of sunlight. Wading slowly through water and not feeling stuck. Time slowing down as you look into their eyes. Golden rays seeping into everything. Acoustics echoing through your heart. When every moment feels like a warm summer evening. Every touch sparking something mellow. Knowing the newness won't last forever but still seeing every day as an opportunity.

Home Of The Terrified 

It's not that I can't think of anything for this song, but rather that nothing seems to do it justice. The topic that this song addresses - or at least that I believe it addresses - is a heavy one (gun violence in the USA), and with an upbeat tune, Ben Platt manages to grip your attention and then punch you right in the gut with the lyrics. I think it also addresses something more worldwide; the state of politics across the globe is terrifying for a vast majority which has led to a lot of people deciding not to have children as it's not safe, or even fair, to bring new people into such a tumultuous world. Here are some lyrics that really stick out to me, not in any particular order:

"How can I explain a world that's broken?"

"No one is built for that pray that he gets lucky life."

"Drive real slow, pull up and park, I just couldn't let him get out of the car."

"Thrown to the wolves in the name of the red and white."

"No blessing in the lesson we keep learning."

For more information on gun violence across the world, and gun control in America, visit Amnesty International, Everytown, and Sandy Hook Promise.

Need You Like This 

Holding their hands tightly and spinning as fast as you can. The credits rolling on a film that made you happy-cry. Letting your guard down because you know that you're safe. Swaying from side to side out of pure emotion. Not knowing if you could live without them. The weightlessness of trusting someone with your life. Reading that tawny owls and penguins mating for life and feeling kinship.

Boy Who Hung The Moon 

Being ready to fight the demons in their mind. Holding their hand at 3 AM and wishing you could dry their tears. Feeling helpless when your rock starts crumbling. Believing in them when they can't believe in themself. The way the universe can be crushing but liberating. A string quartet sitting in your heart. Looking up at the sky and seeing their smile in every twinkling light.

Monsters 

Writing a letter to your thirteen-year-old self. Wanting to be older when you're young, and younger when you're old. Being your own worst critic. Living in the eye of anxiety your whole life. Wishing your brain would listen when you tell it to stop spiralling. Standing in a room full of people and being stuck in your own head. Ageing decades inside despite being young. Giving yourself grace when you're at your lowest.

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Honeymind by Ben Platt is available now on all music streaming platforms.