Benson Boone Nails Cover of Adele Song in Viral Video, Wows His Critics

Benson Boone just wowed fans — and critics — with a recent rendition of Adele’s “When We Were Young.”

The “Beautiful Things” singer performed the song in Columbus, Ohio, while on his American Heart World Tour on Aug. 25. In a now-viral video of the moment, Boone, 23, can be seen holding a microphone while sporting a black vest and black pants. He soulfully belted out the melody to the 2015 ballad. 

Commenters quickly took to X to comment on the video, which was shared on the platform by Pop Crave on Aug. 26.

“I do not know why people hate on this man. He can actually sing,” one X user wrote.

“Wait he sounds so good? Boy quit that moonbeam ice cream s— and get better writers,” someone else added.

“Did not think it was possible for anyone to do this song justice,” another user said.

Someone else wrote, “Bro can singggggg.”

Boone is no stranger to online chatter — and doubts — about his musical abilities. Accused of being an “industry plant” and a “one-hit wonder” at various points in his flourishing career, the star poked fun at the criticism head-on in his “Mr. Electric Blue” music video, which premiered on June 20. 

“We need something new, we need a new gimmick,” a fictional label head tells Boon in the video. “Maybe good songwriting?”

“You know I can’t do that,” Boone jokingly responds.

Boone also addressed online criticism directly in a since-deleted TikTok video shared on April 21.

“If you hate me or my music at least have a good reason for it,” he wrote in text displayed over a video of himself.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I just read a comment that said ‘idek why I hate Benson Boone but it feels right.’ Like WHAT!!? how am I supposed to improve after reading that?” he continued, adding, “At least say something valid like ‘he low key just flips everywhere can he [do] anything else?’ ”

The Grammy-nominated artist kicked off his American Heart tour on Aug. 22. He will continue on throughout North America and Europe, performing the tour’s final show in the United Arab Emirates in December. 

“This tour is vastly different than anything I have ever done before,” Boone previously told PEOPLE while discussing the tour.

“It’s so much bigger and it feels like a humongous step from [the] last tour,” he continued.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

“[We have] a far bigger stage than I’ve ever seen before, and there’s little choreographed moments and better outfits and everyone’s a little more locked in. We rehearsed for like two weeks, which probably doesn’t sound very interesting at all, but that’s a big deal to me,” he added.