Ideal Man
New West, 2019
8/10
This 4th album from Nashville resident Andrew Combs comes with a new hobby, as painting has consumed much of the artists time, and spills over into his songwriting approach, too, as he leads with emotion on Ideal Man.
“Stars Of Longing” gets the album off to a retro and dreamy start with fuzzy grooves and sharp melody, and “Ideal Man” follows as Combs gets warm and folky with great range in his singing.
Near the middle, “Hide And Seek” finds the setting getting calm and elegant with shiny synth, while “Firestarter” has the atmosphere turning sparse and Americana influenced with soaring vocals from Combs.
Near the end, “Born Without A Clue” uses strategic synth in the cautious delivery that’s one of the album’s best, and “Golden” exits the listen with delicate beauty as country, folk and Americana traces seep into the gentle conclusion in a song about his new child.
Though Combs has only recently found a home at New West Records (he previously recorded for Razor & Tie), he’s certainly holding his own alongside their outstanding roster of folk/country/blues artists with his creative, eclectic and flourishing songwriting.
Travels well with: Aaron Tasjan- Karma For Cheap; Justin Townes Earle- Kids In The Street