Luke Bryan‘s Mind of a Country Boy album is out. The Georgia native included 14 songs on his eighth studio album, which is his first since Born Here, Live Here, Die Here came out in 2020.
“I’ve been able to take my time and really compile songs for this album,” Bryan says. “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, just has a little bit of everything.
“I do some things different vocally on this one that I’ve not done before,” he continues. “It’s about each song having its place and having its meaning. 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.”
It’s been 17 years since Bryan’s debut I’ll Stay Me record was released. Since then, the now-48-year-old has worked hard at making music that still feels relevant, and authentic to him.
“No matter how many years I’ve been kind of in the mix, and as long as I can find songs that push me to new boundaries, we’re always trying a new musician here and there, always trying new sound engineers and mixing people, just always trying to stay on top of my game,” Bryan tells Billboard. “I’m always trying to go above and beyond, try to just outdo myself a little bit every time.”
Bryan still has plenty of party and upbeat songs, but he is also embracing more of the feel-good, family songs, like “Pair of Boots,” “Jesus’ Bout My Kids” and more. For Bryan, it’s a natural transition for him.
“I think it reflects where I’m at in life,” the father of two says. “I’ve had the party songs throughout my life and when I look at my career, I’ve put out the music I’ve always wanted to and this is the music I want out now.”
Bryan has a Top 5 hit right now with “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” a song that reminded him of his marriage to his wife, Caroline, whom he wed in 2006.
“When I heard the song, it just kind of made me think about my marriage and my relationship with my wife,” Bryan tells his record label. “We kind of dated in college, took some time off and then we finally got back together. So this song tells the story of young love taking a little break and then circling back around and making it happen.”
See a track list for Mind Of A Country Boy below. Bryan was just announced as a host of the 2024 CMA Awards, along with Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning . Find all of Bryan’s music and upcoming shows at LukeBryan.com
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. “I’m On A Tractor” (Neil Thrasher, Lee Thomas Miller)
14. “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids” (Jeff Hyde, Tucker Beathard, Ben Stennis, Brad Rempel)