- Source: American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story
American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story is the second studio album by American recording artist Kevin Abstract, released on November 18, 2016.
Background
On January 15, 2015, Kevin Abstract informed fans via his Twitter page that his record was to be titled Death of a Supermodel and that it would be released later in the year. This album was then later discarded, however. Abstract then announced that he was working on a different album, They Shoot Horses, a part of the Death of a Supermodel trilogy. In November, the first single from They Shoot Horses, "Echo" was released, along with a music video directed by Tyler Mitchell.
At the end of June 2016, Kevin announced that he had changed the title of his upcoming album to American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story and that it would still be coming later in the year.
The album's second single "Empty" was released on September 20, 2016, alongside a self-directed music video.
The album's release date was confirmed as November 18 on October 24. The album's artwork, designed by Tyler Mitchell and Henock "HK" Sileshi, and track listing were released on October 31.
The album's third single, "Yellow" was premiered by Zane Lowe on Beats One on November 2, followed by "Miserable America", premiered by Shane Powers on Dash Radio the next day.
Reception
American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story received generally positive reviews upon release. Ryan Bassil of Noisey said, "it's one of the most nuanced and touching documentations of the gloriously testing period that forms the experience of growing up and becoming yourself." David Turner of Pitchfork said, "American Boyfriend can feel a bit scattered and unsure, but it’s an album seeking love in a world now primed to find new angles for hate. For that reason alone, it feels welcome."
Track listing
Notes
^[a] signifies a co-producer
^[b] signifies an additional producer
On the physical version of the album, "Kin" is 3:26 long.
"Seventeen" features additional vocals by Ivana Nwokike and Sunday Osunwa.
"Tattoo" features additional vocals by Sunday Osunwa.
"Yellow" features additional vocals by Ivana Nwokike, Sunday Osunwa, Teo Halm and Roy Blair.
"Runner" features vocals by Roy Blair.
"Papercut" features additional vocals by Ivana Nwokike and Roy Blair.
"June 29th" features vocals by Sunday Osunwa.
"Miserable America" features additional vocals by Russell "Joba" Boring.
"Echo" features additional vocals by Roy Blair.