This is the fifth album review that I have done! If you haven’t already checked out the other four, please check them out. But back to this EP that is from Chicago’s own Taylor Bennett. If you have been following me, then you know that I have been supporting Taylor Bennett’s music career for some time now. I began listening to Taylor when he released Restoration of An American Idol. I thought that the album was ok, it had a couple of songs that I vibe with. But, I felt like a part of him was always holding back.
It’s no secret that Taylor came out as bisexual a couple of years ago and the eyes of the world on him. I think that this could be a reason why he may have been holding back in his music.
Speaking to my friend who identifies as a gay man, he said that it could take time to be yourself. But I believe that this what the EP, titled Be Yourself is for.
In my opinion Be Yourself is Taylor’s most vulnerable work so far. Even the album art itself displays a message that Taylor is showing us a new side of him. The album displays Taylor sitting on a stool, in nothing more than underwear and a party hat, surrounded by confetti and three ballons. Also, he can be seen holding a birthday candle in his right hand. To me, the cover art says that the party truly begins when you learn to accept yourself.
The album is an EP (which means that is fewer songs than a usual album) that has six songs and takes no longer than twenty minutes to listen to! The EP crosses the intersections of self-identity, sexuality, religion, family, and environment. The first track of the album is Be Yourself ft. Bianca Shaw, it sets the tone for the album. The song is Taylor’s personal story of how family, education, and religion, and location have shaped him into the man that he is today. Each song features a new insight into the life of Taylor. I love this track because of how Taylor has stepped into himself. No matter what anyone says about him, he knows that he is continually app
lying the pressure it takes to be a diamond. The EP is streaming on all platforms and is currently my favorite album by Taylor. I just hope that he carries this new energy with him while touring and interacting with fans.
The Alt Black 
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