Luke Comb's "What You See Is What You Get" Album Review

Country music juggernaut, Luke Combs, released only his second studio album. Coming off of record-breaking success, all eyes were on Comb's newest LP that released today. Comb's success is incredible, tying Shania Twain's album record of 50 weeks at #1. He also set a country record by hitting #1 with his first 6, yes 6, singles. "What You See Is What You Get" was my most anticipated album release since Eric Church's 2018 album, Desperate Man. I was not disappointed.

My biggest criticism with Comb's first album, "This One's For You", is that a lot of songs sounded extremely similar. Yes, I'd much rather have that than something like Zac Brown's last album, "The Owl". That being said, I wanted to see something different from Combs. I'd say he delivered for the most part. Tracks like "Dear Today" and especially "Better Together" are all much different than anything on "This One's For You". The production on this album is exceptional on this album, aside from "Dear Today". Luke Combs is the perfect blend between Neo-Traditional Country and today's modern production. Though some songs lean towards the filler-side of the album. There is some exceptional songwriting on this album. Dear Today might be my favorite song lyrically. I love the way he personifies himself as "tomorrow", telling "today" that he shouldn't depend on there being a tomorrow. "Refrigerator Door" is also an exceptionally written, small song. While I don't see it being a single, I think it's one of the best songs on the album. I love that Combs restricted himself to such a small subject and wrote such a detailed song. Songs such as "Beer Never Broke My Heart", "Angles Working Overtime", and "1,2 Many" are not standouts lyrically, but musically, they're great. They all are a great throwback to 90's Country. One of the first songs released from this album, "Even Though I'm Leaving", is one of my favorites. It follows in the vein of Eric Church's current single "Monsters". The track is focused on a father and son's relationship. There's nothing better than an evolving chorus in a country song; "Even Though I'm Leaving" does it perfectly. I saved the best for last in my positives, and that would be "Does To Me". It helps that my all-time favorite artist, Eric Church, helms the bridge on the song. The song itself is great, however. It's a song about how Combs views seemingly small things in his life as important, even if someone doesn't care. Grady Smith summed it up perfectly in an Instagram story, "...a positive self-reflection anthem..."

"What You See Is What You Get" does not need to be a 17 track album. I understand that it boosts streaming numbers on the first 6 songs, but it is simply unnecessary. This is truly an 11 track album that has the "Beer Never Broke My Heart" EP attached to it. I also really don't like the production of "Dear Today". The first 1:33 sounds like it was recorded with an iPhone. It then shifts to a fully-realized sound that should have been present since the beginning. It's jarring. "Dear Today" is such a beautiful song; it's a shame that most of it sounds so odd. Songs like "Blue Collar Boys" and "New Everyday" fade to the background of the album. They're not particularly bad songs; they're just not ear-catching. These songs all share the same problems with the weaker songs on "This One's For You". They all sound similar.

In conclusion, Luke Combs delivers another gem in "What You See Is What You Get". Though overly long, the album is one of the best country albums of the year. I predict that this album will be just as, if not more, successful as "This One's For You". Many ACM award nominations are in Luke Comb's future. If he's going to be the face of country for the next decade, I am on board.

The Good: Even Though I'm Leaving, Does To Me, Dear Today, Better Together

The Bad(ish): Blue Collar Boys

Overall: 8.7/10