I've never been a fan of country music.
The sharp, twangy, guitar instrumentals and nonsense lyrics about trucks, farms and ex-girlfriends is what kept the genre off my playlists—until last summer.
But, spending nearly every day with my friends who constantly lived and breathed country music, I didn't have a choice other than listening.
After blasting songs such as, “American Kids," by Kenny Chesney, or “Broken Window Serenade,” by Whiskey Myers in the car or from a speaker perched on the edge of a fireplace late at night, I started to get why my friends loved the genre.
I realized that I had completely misjudged country music and its subject matter. It wasn't all loud and annoying lyrics. Some songs were softer and catchier. But among the many talented artists, there was one in particular whose music I couldn't turn off.
Luke Combs.
His songs had me hooked all summer long, with his variety of not only slower, relaxed songs, but also upbeat, catchy ones too.
So when March 20 hit and his new album, “The Way I Am,” dropped, I immediately pressed play.
The opening track, “Back In The Saddle,” caught my attention right away. The first line: “I’ve been gone for a little too long,” felt intentional, almost like an announcement that he was back since his last album, “What You See Is What You Get,” released in 2019.
I liked how the honesty of the verse clicked inside my head the second I heard it. Combs did an excellent job setting the tone for the rest of the album in a simple but clever way.
One of the album's strongest qualities was its variety. It consists of smooth, quieter songs, while also a good amount of more fast-paced and energetic songs — keeping it from feeling repetitive.
“Days Like These” slows things down with a softer, reflective feel, while “My Kinda Saturday Night” picks up speed with a high-energy, good-time vibe.
The contrast not only makes the album more captivating, but it also helps the unique melodies of the songs stand out more.
Each song has a hook that sticks, whether it's a gentle chorus that lingers or a line I caught myself humming later.
Throughout all 22 tracks, a few stood out more than others.
“Rich Man” highlights Combs’ excellent way of storytelling. The song follows a man realizing that wealth isn’t money, but the loved ones around him and the time he shares with them. The lyrics flowed naturally, making the story easy to follow and the chorus tied everything together in a satisfying and complete way.
“I Ain’t No Cowboy,” on the other hand, caught my attention due to its liveliness. The fast drum beat and guitar strums gave it momentum from the start. It made me want to go play it for others and have them listen to it with me.
With 22 songs, it’s definitely considered a longer album, but Combs kept me engaged from start to finish.
I admire the album's central theme of embracing who he is and reflecting on who he's been in his past. Each instrument in every song paired together well and the rhythms make the songs feel thrilling — immediately pulling you in.
With its clever lyrics, memorable melodies and a range of unique tunes, “The Way I Am” shows that country music has something for everyone — often more than most might expect.
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