Singer/songwriter Jacob Whitesides released his debut album “Why?” on Friday, Sept. 9. The album consists of 14 songs, 10 of which were unreleased until the album’s launch.

At full length, the album is exceptional, as expected. Whitesides conveys the ups and downs of relationships through the messages of his songs. The lyrics communicate Whitesides’ perspective of the girls who trick guys and of those who need reassurance of their self-worth.

In his song “She Ain’t Got a Thing,” Whitesides mentions a girl who spends her time playing with boys’ emotions. A lyric that stands out is “She won’t fall in love, she likes to mess with fate.” The catchy tune has a different vibe than the singer/songwriter’s usual sound. Taking a more western approach than his typical gentle pop sound, Whitesides appeals to a new audience.

Another fan favorite includes “Levitate,” a song written to promote the importance of knowing one’s self-worth. In today’s society, girls are drawn to toxic relationships and Whitesides hopes to get the message across that they should not feel constrained. When he sings “Cause if he’s shady, then you need to let him go; If he’s lazy, he’s not the one to hold,” Whitesides encourages girls to move on to new beginnings.

A single off the album, “Focus,” is one of the most popular songs released. Whitesides displays his affection through the lyrics “I’m on your side and I will fight; Can you hear my love?” This is one of the more upbeat songs on the album that showcases Whitesides’ ability to change up his rhythmic style.

Overall, the album is filled with many emotional and meaningful songs. Although most songs stick to Whitesides’ usual genre, a number differ from the Ed Sheeran feel he generally presents. The album subtly lets fans in on more intimate parts of Whitesides’ life and personal experiences. His raspy voice reaches a lower octave, revealing his vocal range. Even those who aren’t fans can relate to and appreciate Whitesides’ lyrics. Although Whitesides delivered solid vocals and meaningful lyrics, it would be nice to have acoustic versions of some of the songs as well. “Why?” receives 5 out of 5 stars, leaving fans anxious for more music.