Luke Combs' first EP for Columbia Nashville -- it's a teaser for a full-length album of the same name arriving in 2017 -- is anchored by the slow-burning "Hurricane," a ballad that takes its cues from Sam Hunt's R&B rhythms but showcases Combs' big, gruff voice.
The tension between Combs' traditional side and modern inclinations is what gives This One's for You some freshness, but the EP overall shows that he tends to favor old-fashioned modes.
Ironically, "Memories Are Made Of" -- a title that seems designed to invite nostalgia -- also feels a bit more modern, offering a contrast to the old-fashioned twanging rocker "Beer Can" and the closing weeper "This One's for You." Along with "Used to You" and "Hurricane" itself, "This One's for You" displays Combs' strengths as an excellent balladeer.