Trent Harmon releases his long-awaited, full-length debut album, You Got ‘Em All two years after winning the 15^th season of American Idol.

27-year old Trent Harmon won the final season of the original run of American Idol – when it was on Fox.  A talented singer, in some respects, the Mississippian pulled off somewhat of an upset beating another talented Mississippian, LaPorsha Renae.  Despite winning it all back in 2016, the recording process has been a slow one for Harmon.  He released an EP in 2016 as opposed to the traditional, oft-rushed studio album. Then 2017 was incredibly quiet.  Finally, two years after winning, his full-length debut You Got ‘Em All finally arrives with generally positive results.

“You Got ‘Em All”

“You Got ‘Em All” kicks off You Got ‘Em All radiantly. Trent Harmon shows off his best attributes – his compelling, confident tenor.  This is labelled as a country album, and “You Got ‘Em All” embraces that, but it also plays well in pop circles.  In other words, it’s not too country to appeal beyond the base.  “There’s a Girl” keeps up the strong start of You Got ‘Em All, picking up the pace and the rhythmic intensity. Again, this record is countrified (banjo, storytelling, etc.), but also ‘light’ enough to gain pop traction.

“Hold On” keeps the pleasantry going, led by Harmon’s expressive, powerful, and soulful pipes.  This is a respectable song, but the vocals actually pack more punch and more memorability than the lyrics.  If finding a song that latches without a doubt was an issue, song number four is ‘the one.’ “Her” is an awesome mix of southern sensibilities – country, rock, and soul.  The electric piano and organ adds that churchy, soulful touch, not to mention the lilting, six-eight meter.

“First Five Minutes”

“First Five Minutes” speeds up the pace, adding a bit more modern-pop panache (drum groove).  By the chorus, if there was any doubt, “First Five Minutes” asserts its country roots, never looking back.  Following the short, energetic “First Five Minutes,” “Money’s on You” gets a bit heavier – more serious. Well-produced, the drums stand out of the production, while the banjo sits nicely in the mix without being the dominant feature.  As always, Harmon sings his face off.

“‘Cause I Do”

“‘Cause I Do” marks one of the best moments from You Got ‘Em All.  Like “Her,” there’s more of a soulful vibe.  This feels like Harmon’s true wheelhouse.  He sounds particularly strong on the chorus – that upper register is potent.  Predictably, he goes more assertive, edgier, and ‘more pronouncedly country’ on “On Paper.” The ultimate results are good, but not game changing or truly distinct. Honestly, it sounds like any number of contemporary country records on radio, save for better vocals.  Yeah, I said it.

Predictably, “My Somebody” slows the pace and opts for – *ding-ding-ding* – more soul.  Results = successful. “Falling – Remix” serves as the penultimate record, reappearing from his 2016 EP, Trent Harmon.  Again, his R&B chops go a long way, not to mention the horns within the production. A cover of Sia’s “Chandelier” is also reprised from his EP, concludes You Got ‘Em All.

Final Thoughts

All in all, on You Got ‘Em All, Trent Harmon easily proves why he won American Idol and why he can be a viable recording artist.  Is his debut album a truly memorable, game changing affair? No, which is the case with many (not all) debut albums spawned from the American Idol franchise.  Still, even where some of the songs fail to be truly memorable even if they are enjoyable, Harmon’s voice never falters.  Dude can ‘sang.’

Gems: “You Got ‘Em All,” “There’s a Girl,” “Her” & “‘Cause I Do”

Trent Harmon • You Got ‘Em All • Big Machine • Release: 5.18.18

Photo Credit: Big Machine