[1] 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.

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 artwork, designed by Tyler Mitchell and Henock "HK" Sileshi, and track listing were released on October 31.

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.

"[6] 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.