Country superstar Luke Bryan will release his ninth studio album, "Signs," on Sept. 18. After more than 20 years as one of the format’s premier artists, he’s seen his share of ups and downs along the way. But right now Bryan says all signs point toward "gravy."
"With me, everything's kind of like I'm in bonus land," the 50-year-old Georgia native told The Tennessean. "I love being on stage and I love watching people react to new songs, and that's what's fueled the drive to make nine albums this many years later. It's been an amazing ride."
"Signs" features 12 fresh songs and arrives as Bryan has diversified his career. No longer "just" a country singer, he’s also a TV star with a recurring role on "American Idol," where he is now entering his 10th
season as a judge. Yet Bryan said he still thinks of himself as the good-natured country boy who made a splash with songs like "We Rode in Trucks" back in 2007.
"Signs" includes flashes of that artist. In fact, fans will catch multiple glimpses of Bryan's earlier work, including tunes like the romantic farm-life anthem, "Crooked Rows of Corn," one of two songs he co-wrote.
"I've even told someone 'Crooked Rows of Corn' is like if 'Good Directions' and [Jason Aldean's] 'Big Green Tractor' had a baby," Bryan said with a smile. "It feels like me. It feels like authentic, and it feels authentic to country fans that have followed me through the years."
Other tracks like "I Liked Loving You" may remind fans of the emotional heft of hits like 2009’s "Do I." Meanwhile, "Finders Keepers" (feat. Luke Combs) might give fans déjà vu from the opening guitar riff, drawing comparisons to career-defining favorites like "Country Girl Shake It for Me."
However, Bryan's new music is not intended as a throwback. Some of the songs have even brought Bryan a new perspective.
Get tickets for Luke Bryan & Friends on Sept. 24 in Nashville
Fans on social media have likely seen memes and commentary surrounding singles like "Fish Hunt Golf Drink." With it's happy-go-lucky formula, Bryan says he and his co-writers (Matt Dragstrem and Chase McGill) wrote the track hoping it would be hard to forget. They accomplished that goal, but some people have suggested that it was written using AI.
A similar storyline popped up after Bryan previewed "Down Goes the Whiskey," and Bryan said that has been disappointing.
"At that point, I'm just frustrated that is the narrative," he admitted.
Bryan said he was especially frustrated on behalf of his collaborators, since he felt they did their job and didn't deserve any "negativity." He sees the upbeat "Fish Hunt Golf Drink" (and its video) as a fun distraction from everyday life, in the same vein of good-natured songs he's done throughout his career.
"We could dive into the nuances of when people say 'Luke Bryan sings about woods and trucks too much,'" he said. "Then there's a new artist that comes out and has a whole album with that, and he's the hot new artist. I just don't really buy into any of that anymore."
He's also keeping his powder dry when it comes to any reaction to "Killer," which may represent the first country song ever sung from the perspective of a gun. Bryan admitted he has no idea how folks will receive the bold ballad, but he's predicting something similar to one of the "favorite songs" he's ever recorded, "Some People Are Good" in 2017. Bryan recalled how some tried to use its open-minded lyrics to reinforce their own personal "narrative" of Bryan's point of view. The song isn't intended to promote any political agenda, he said, he just thought "Killer" was a standout.
"You can call me the president of the NRA or you can call me the one that's trying to take the NRA down or whatever. I don't care," Bryan explained. "When I heard this song, it blew my mind."
Bryan said he knows a song like "Killer," written by Davis Corley, Mark Addison Chandler and Nate Kenyon, could drive a conversation he doesn't control. He learned that lesson early after becoming known for his onstage dance moves. But he’s never set out to "shock" audiences.
"I'm not here to reinvent wheels. When I was dancing on stage and doing all [the hip shaking], I wasn't doing that for shock value," he went on. "I didn't record 'Killer' for a shock value. If shock value happens, that's not my intent."
After nine albums, one thing Bryan does still intend is to show fans a good time.
On Sept. 24 he will headline a concert he’s calling Luke Bryan & Friends at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Even after all he’s done, Bryan said performing in Nashville’s arena is special.
"It's the epicenter of Music City. You always want to be your best in Nashville," he explained.
Bryan is staying tight-lipped on what "& Friends" will mean, but did say he "wouldn't mind" having his songwriting buddies share the night alongside him and his artist friends. He may do a few songs behind the piano, and may strip it down for a few songs with just his guitar. No matter what, the night will likely show signs of the connection behind Bryan's long, nine-album career.
"I want people [at Bridgestone] to go, 'Man, he was so free and he was goofy when he wanted to be … but when it got serious, he really delivered great vocals,'" Bryan said. "I want people to go, 'You know what? I really understand why he won entertainer of the year five times.'"
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Luke Bryan addresses AI criticism ahead of new album 'Signs' | Exclusive
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