Luke Bryan’s new album, Mind of a Country Boy is out now, September 27th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

There’s just something comfortable and familiar about Luke Bryan. Whether he’s singing about how “Rain is a Good Thing,” asking someone to “Play It Again,” or letting us know that “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” his voice and style are immediately recognizable. Now, seventeen years into his storied career, the Georgia native is back with his newest album, Mind Of a Country Boy.

The fourteen track collection marks his first full-length LP since 2020’s Born Here Live Here Die Here, and truly finds him returning to his roots. Produced by the father-son team of Jeff and Jody Stevens, the album also includes tracks from frequent collaborators including Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Rodney Clawson, Ben Hayslip, and more.

“I’ve been able to take my time and really compile songs,” Bryan says of the new release. “If it’s a song that I cut two or three years ago, and I still love it, and it still sounds fresh, then I feel like it’ll stand the test of time. I think this album, as I’ve tried to do with all my albums, has a little bit of everything.” 

While the album does find the hitmaker exploring a range of songs and emotions, it’s truly Luke Bryan at his finest. On Mind of a Country Boy, the superstar is both bigger than life yet approachable, down to earth yet extraordinary, and remorseful yet romantic.

Opening with the twangy, banjo-laden title track, the Georgia native immediately launches into a catchy mid tempo celebration of all of the great sides of country living. “There are a lot of references in there that your common person might be like, ‘What’s he talking about,” Bryan says of the song. “I think when I can start talking about these really specific phrases and references in the song, it validates me being a country boy…It sounds like truly what goes on in the mind of a country boy.”  

Similarly, songs like “But I Got a Beer In My Hand” and “Country On” are pure Bryan. While “County On” marks his 30th #1 hit, finds him raising a glass to patriotism, hometowns, and the blue collar workers that are the backbone of society, “Beer in My Hand” also finds him raising a glass, this time to a liquid mood enhancer that can’t be dulled.

“But I got a beer in my hand, and I got it raised up high // I ain’t got a give in my damn right, I can do this all night // Country done came to town, this town don’t stand a chance // I’ll holler at the ladies, dancin’ like crazy, new Luccheses, fresh up out the deer stand // Feelin’ this high, wasn’t part of my plan // Wasn’t even gonna try // But I got a beer in my hand”

While he can party with the best of them, Bryan has always set himself apart on ballads, as is the case with the stunning “Kansas,” which finds him pledging to make all of a woman’s dreams come true.  “I don’t know what love is, don’t understand it,” He admits. “But if it’s a wheat field, I’ll give you Kansas.”

Meanwhile, “Love You Miss You Mean It” has become one of the biggest songs of his career, mixing powerhouse vocals with personal connection. “This one feels like one of the bigger up-tempo things I’ve had,” he reveals. “I look back on my career of 30 No. 1 songs, and I know that not every song is everyone’s favorite. As an artist, I think you have got to try new things and veer off the common path. Then you go back to the roots and what got you there, and I certainly think ‘Love You, Miss You, Mean It’ is a classic song for me my fans respond to.”  

The country superstar shines in his vulnerability, embracing it on tracks like “Pair of Boots” and the album’s final track, “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids.” On the former, which is the quintessential country ballad, he embraces fatherhood and the impact that a simple pair of cowboy boots can have on a young man, while the latter is a gorgeous and prayerful love letter that finds him pleading with God to protect his children as they grow and move on. “I used to talk to my kids about Jesus, The same way that my mom and daddy did,” He sings, voice laced with emotion. “I used to talk to my kids about Jesus, Now I talk to Jesus ‘bout my kids.”

“Slow and Southern” provides a moment of clever lyrical-to-melodic juxtaposition, as he desires to slow things down over driving guitars and a roaring uptempo. Likewise, “I’m On a Tractor” returns him to his roots, finding him alone with God as he overlooks the field from a unique vantage point.

“Country Song Came On,” “She’s Still Got It” and “Closing Time in California” allow Bryan to stretch himself vocally and sonically, with “Closing Time” finding him sliding into his rarely utilized falsetto as he implores someone to come back or let him go. Likewise, “For the Kids” is a heartbreaking reminder of the changes that often come in relationships as a couple grapples with the desperation of reaching a pivotal point in their relationship.

“For the kids I go to work // You stay at home // Do what we do just to get through and watch them grow // We fill this house with love // But somehow lose it between us // We swore we’d never end up like this // Married for the kids“

“I think as you grow older and mature, subject matters change, and things that you can sing about change,” Bryan says of the fourteen track collection. “But the love of trying to find the right song and a song that moves people is still at the forefront of what I want to do as an artist. It’s trying not to be overly redundant with songs. I think that’s why I’ve been blessed to have a long career and what I feel like this album’s going to do.” 

With a goal of moving people with his music, Luke Bryan carefully curated the tracks on Mind Of a Country Boy, and with songs like “Kansas,” “Closing Time in California,” and “For the Kids,” it’s easy to declare that musical mission accomplished.

Mind of a Country Boy Track List:

1. Mind Of A Country Boy (Luke Bryan, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins)
2. Love You, Miss You, Mean It (Ben Hayslip, Jacob Rice, Jordan Minton, Rhett Akins)
3. Country Song Came On (Ryan Beaver, Dan Alley, Neil Medley)
4. Pair Of Boots (Bobby Pinson, Taylor Phillips, Tofer Brown, Jaxon Free)
5. But I Got A Beer In My Hand (Chase McGill, Matt Dragstrem, Geoff Warburton)
6. Kansas (Chase McGill, Hillary Lindsey, Matt Dragstrem)
7. Country On”(Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, Styles Haury)
8. Fish On The Wall (Dallas Davidson, Chris Tompkins, Ben Johnson)
9. She’s Still Got It (Rodney Clawson, Heather Morgan, Will Bundy, Jim McCormick)
10. Closing Time In California (John Byron, Mark Holman, Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill)
11. For The Kids (Luke Bryan, Justin Ebach, Brad Tursi)
12. Southern and Slow (Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, Chase McGill)13. 
13. I’m On A Tractor (Neil Thrasher, Lee Thomas Miller)
14. Jesus ‘Bout My Kids (Jeff Hyde, Tucker Beathard, Ben Stennis, Brad Rempel)

Country Swag Picks:

1. Kansas
2. But I Got a Beer In My Hand
3. Country Song Came On
4. Pair of Boots
5. For the Kids

Luke Bryan shares new album, ‘Mind of a Country Boy,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Luke Bryan releases.

For tour dates and more, visit Bryan’s official website here. 

To keep up with Luke Bryan, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Mind of a Country Boy is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

In his incredible career, Luke Bryan has certified himself as a superstar. With a killer catalog of songs to choose from, we are sharing our favorites that did not quite make it to country radio.

With 31 singles from seven albums, the superstar has generated 25 number one hits over his 15+ year career in Nashville. This included a run of eighteen-straight hits from 2011-2018.

Here are 5 Luke Bryan songs that should have been singles…

1. “Been There, Done That” – Tailgates & Tanlines
   

This catchy song from his third studio album, written by Bryan and Rachel Thibodeau, is about a relationship that constantly has its breakups and breakthroughs. Bryan’s counterpart continuously calls him with the intent of getting back together. He, on the other hand, has learned that you cannot force a relationship and he is tired of trying to make it work.

2. “Beer in the Headlights” – Crash My Party 

Almost every song on Bryan’s fourth studio album could have had success at radio; it was certified Platinum and was the third best-selling album of 2013 all-genre. This fun, up-tempo tune checks off all the boxes of a 2013 radio hit, but with all five singles topping the charts, Bryan switched gears to move onto his next project and “Beer in the Headlights” was never given its chance.

3. “Just Over” – Kill the Lights

After another fight with his girlfriend, the singer just assumes that they will make up again, just like the past. This time, however, she wanted to officially end the relationship. Its catchy chorus is perfect for country radio, but with six other singles on his fifth studio album, it was time for Bryan to move onto the next record. 

4. “Hooked On It” – What Makes You Country

There are a lot of fun songs on Bryan’s sixth studio album, but “Hooked On It” defines the theme of the project the best. With heavy electric guitar and supporting banjo, this tune perfectly paints the image of southern life. The album’s fourth single, which served as the title track, ending Bryan’s run at eighteen-straight number ones, which may have been a reason to move on from this record.

5. “For A Boat”— Born Here, Live Here, Die Here

“For a Boat” is a sweet song about loving what you have and not what you don’t. The man in the song recalls learning all of life’s most important lessons fishing on a bank, instead of on a boat. Growing up “too broke for a boat” taught him the value of money, patience, family, and much more. Four of the ten songs on Bryan’s latest record topped the country radio chart, and two more singles were sent to radio after he released the deluxe edition the next year. Unfortunately, there was no room for this song to become a single.

To keep up with Luke Bryan, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Luke Combs releases.