Everything We Know About Luke Combs’ Sophomore Album, ‘What You See Is What You Get’
After promising his fans over the summer that he had big news on the way, Luke Combs delivered: The singer is gearing up to release his highly anticipated sophomore album, which will be the follow-up to 2017's This One's for You.
In mid-September, Combs shared more details about the new project, including its title, What You See Is What You Get. The project will include, among others, "1,2 Many," a '90s throwback that the singer says reminds him of the music he listened to growing up. In fact, he'll do that statement one better: Country icons Brooks & Dunn join in to duet on the song.
Combs' debut album, This One's for You, was a powerhouse breakout project that kept on giving, spawning a deluxe version (This One's for You Too) and a whopping five chart-topping singles. Earlier in 2019, he continued that streak by releasing an EP called The Prequel; that project's first single, "Beer Never Broke My Heart," shot up the charts to become Combs' sixth career No. 1. The Prequel made music history in another respect, too, making Combs the first artist to simultaneously place five songs in the Hot Country Songs chart's Top 25 since Johnny Cash did so in 1959.
Of course, an EP named The Prequel implied that the singer had another project planned for not too far in the future.Then, new music started emerging -- Combs shared unreleased clips of new music with fans via social media -- making it seem inevitable that a full-length album was, indeed, in the works.
Now that it's official, read on to learn everything we know about Combs' forthcoming sophomore project.
The Title
Combs revealed on Sept. 12 that the title for the new project will be What You See Is What You Get.
The Release Date
On Aug. 8, the singer shared on social media that his next project will be released on Nov. 8. A day before officially revealing the date, Combs sneakily included the numbers "11" and "8" in the opening to a clip of behind-the-scenes footage from the music video for "Beer Never Broke My Heart." According to the singer, the only person who put the clues together was a fan account: "I hid the album's release date in this video, and the only person who noticed it was @LukeCombsUpdate ... She's good!" he wrote.
What You See Is What You Get is available for pre-order via Amazon.
The Record Label
The new project will be released via River House Artists / Columbia Nashville. Combs has worked with both labels previously, on his full-length debut, This One's for You, as well as his 2019 EP, The Prequel.
The Producer
Scott Moffatt produced What You See Is What You Get. He also worked on Combs' debut album.
The Album Cover
Combs' new album's cover art depicts a portrait of the artist painted in an old-school, hand-drawn concert poster style. The cover art comes from a photo taken by David Bergman, which was then painted by Rob Hendon. The artwork also includes the album title depicted in red block letters.
The Single
Combs' sixth No. 1 single, "Beer Never Broke My Heart," is featured on What You See Is What You Get. His next single, "Even Though I'm Leaving," is steadily climbing the charts as well.
The Songs
Luke Combs unveiled the track list for his forthcoming second album, What You See Is What You Get, in its entirety on Oct. 7. A mixture of exciting new surprises and longtime setlist favorites, the new batch of songs features both Brooks & Dunn (on the already released "1, 2 Many") and Combs' idol Eric Church (on a song called "Does to Me").
"It's just so cool, you know, because I think [Church]'s a guy that really picks and chooses the things he does pretty meticulously," Combs told The Boot and other outlets during an album preview at his home outside Nashville. "It was neat for him to agree to do it, because he doesn't do a ton of that stuff. And it's just been a full-circle thing, for me. He's kind of why I got into doing this, anyway."
The singer also indicates that What You See Is What You Get will show a softer side of his personality, brought out in part by his relationship with his fiancee, Nicole Hocking. The new album's final track, "Better Together," speaks to the evolution of their relationship -- and, Combs says, more tracks inspired by his real-life love story are sure to come; more specifically, "Better Together" and another love song on the new project, "Nothing Like You," were inspired by the ways in which life as a touring artist tests a relationship.
Luke Combs, "What You See Is What You Get" Track Listing:
1. "Beer Never Broke My Heart"
2. "Refrigerator Door"
3. "Even Though I'm Leaving"
4. "Lovin' on You"
5. "Moon Over Mexico"
6. "1, 2 Many" (feat. Brooks & Dunn)
7. "Blue Collar Boys"
8. "New Every Day"
9. "Reasons"
10. "Every Little Bit Helps"
11. "Dear Today"
12. "What You See Is What You Get"
13. "Does to Me" (feat. Eric Church)
14. "Angels Workin' Overtime"
15. "All Over Again"
16. "Nothing Like You"
17. "Better Together"
The Tour
In 2020, Combs will tour in support of his sophomore album. His What You See Is What You Get Tour will begin on Feb. 7, at Columbia, Mo.'s Mizzou Arena. The trek will feature Ashley McBryde and Drew Parker as Combs' special guests.
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