Since debuting with This One’s For You in 2017, North Carolina native Luke Combs has become one of country music’s most popular and relevant musicians. This is in part due to his mix of a traditional sound blended with modern country, which has attracted millions and millions of fans. But with his new album, entitled Fathers and Sons, Combs takes a different direction than his previous work, opting for a more mellow sound and acoustic-driven ballads that show how much he has progressed as a songwriter.
Released on June 14 (which, uncoincidentally, was two days before Father’s Day), the 12-song record spans 40 minutes, which actually makes Fathers and Sons Combs’ shortest studio album. However, just because it is his shortest does not take away from the quality of the songs whatsoever. The record jumps straight into the topic of fatherhood with “Front Door Famous”, a beautiful song about Combs’ two children. This song sets the tone for the rest of the album, particularly in terms of instrumentation: the mix of acoustic guitars and a flurry of other string instruments really make the song feel heartfelt, as opposed to the usual radio-friendly electric guitars. But regardless of instrumentation, this song (and the ones that follow) are real tearjerkers, so get ready to need a box of tissues, especially for lines like “Soon as I get home, seems like I’m gone again, walking out the driveway I see his face pressed against the screen door”.
A lot of the songs seem to mesh together simply because the acoustic, mellow tone remains consistent throughout the record. But there are certainly some standout songs, another one being “Little Country Boys”. As one might assume from the title, this is another emotional song about watching your children grow up and play in the same ways that you once did, really emphasizing the theme of fatherhood. This one is full of great lyrics, particularly “They’ve got skinned-up knees, grass stains on their jeans, and dirt on their hands just like their dad”.
Though a lot of the tracks concern Combs’ children and his newfound fatherhood, there’s another father whose presence is felt throughout the album: Combs’ own father. The song “Remember Him That Way” stands out as a tribute to Combs’ father, Chester Combs, from whom Combs has attributed his values of family, modesty, and of course, the importance of music. This one is certainly a highlight from the record, and it is one of the songs on the record that helps cement this step in a newer direction for Combs in his career.
Another song with a similar theme is “The Man He Sees in Me”, arguably one of the better songs on the album. Despite being the shortest track (02:46), it does all it can in those three minutes to give you an earworm that is almost impossible to get out of your head. This song also showcases Combs’ powerful vocals, which have so much soul and warmth yet simultaneously sound like an auditorial tsunami.
What makes this album great for listeners is that it attracts new fans and older fans as well, thanks to its mix of a newer direction for Combs while also maintaining his usual sound that has made him so popular. And unlike many other concept albums, it isn’t loaded with a flurry of singles that you’re bound to hear on the radio: the songs are all slow and personal, which really makes for the best kind of music. If Combs can grow as a songwriter by this much in just seven years, it looks likely that his music will just keep on getting better and better.
Reviewed by Jack Rotolo
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