Music review: Luke Bryan – ‘What Makes You Country’
With “What Makes You Country,” Luke Bryan follows 2015’s “Kill the Lights” by covering familiar territory with another set of relatable songs about navigating relationships, indulging in a few cold ones and living life in a way that makes for a satisfying country song.
At a time when it’s hard to tell what truly is considered country, Bryan attempts to provide a broad-stroke answer on the title track and album opener. The guitar-driven number oozing of Southern rock finds Bryan singing, “You could be a cowboy on the Texas plain/Or a plowboy waitin’ on the rain/We’re all a little different, but we’re all the same/Everybody doin’ their own thing.”
Bryan unleashes his boy-next-door charm designed to get the ladies all worked up on tracks like “Out of Nowhere Girl,” “Bad Lovers” and “She’s a Hot One.”
Good times and adventures are highlighted on “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” and “Driving This Thing,” while Bryan uses any excuse to have another drink and keep the party going with the aptly titled “Drinking Again.”
When the party never stops, “Hungover in a Hotel Room” is what you get. This arrangement is probably a direct result of it being 5 o’clock somewhere and then having to call the front desk to request a late check out.
Bryan is at his sentimental best on “Most People Are Good” as he focuses on the value of kids actually playing outside, working hard for what you have, displaying forgiveness, doing anything for a friend and having faith no matter how dark it gets.
“Pick It Up” follows the same nostalgic lines with Bryan singing about a father doing his very best to show his young son how to be a gentleman by teaching him the value of hard work, being respectful and kind to others and being firmly rooted in faith.
“Win Life” closes things out with Bryan stressing the importance of taking the time to savor the simple things in life. For Bryan, winning at life is all about things like falling deeply in love, believing in miracles, providing for your children, enjoying the feel of the soft grass under your feet and having the good sense to learn from each mistake.
What makes Bryan totally country is knowing how to say the things that can spark an emotion, evoke a favorite memory or bring a smile to our face.
With his sixth release, Bryan certainly has another winner on his hands as he firmly secures his status as a country megastar.
Fans will have the opportunity to see Bryan critique upcoming artists as a judge on “American Idol” in March 2018.
Clint Rhodes is the Herald-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.