On August 25, singer-songwriter Zach Bryan released his fifth studio album. This self-titled album has been highly anticipated since his last album release in May 2022. To tease eager fans, Bryan had been releasing clips of some potential songs since June.
Bryan is best known for his country songs with an old folk flare. His last album, “American Heartbreak”, was quite coming-of-age. It dealt with the heavy topics of growing up, losing loved ones and longing for love and connection. Bryan seems to learn through his loss that time is limited and shares this realization with listeners.
The “Zach Bryan” album has a bit of a different style. The 16 tracks that comprise the album manage to find the perfect balance between country and pop, while still remaining true to Bryan’s roots. This album, however, also feels much more personal. It deals with grief, past relationships, self-growth and many varied emotions.
At the album’s release on August 24, Bryan took to instagram to introduce his art.
“I just wrote some poems and songs that I want to share because I think they’re special,” Bryan said in his post “Some of them are heavy, some of them are hopeful, but more than anything what’s most important to me is that they’re all mine … Some of it’s slow and low, some of it’s reckless, some of it’s loud, some of it’s quiet, but it’s all me at twenty-seven.”.
This post could not be a more perfect introduction to the album. On the very first track, Bryan opens with a melodic poem titled “Fear and Friday’s.” This poem sets the scene for a quite vulnerable and personal album, hence the self-titled name.
This vulnerability and moodiness is also represented in his third track, “Summertime’s Close” and track 14, “Tradesman.”
“Summertime’s Close” tells the story of heartbreak and moving on after the end of a relationship through metaphorical imagery overlaying soft guitar riffs .
The album also features a shocking four different artists: Kacey Musgraves, The War and Treaty, The Lumineers and Sierra Ferrell. Up until this point, Zach Bryan has written all of his own songs and rarely worked with other artists. Bryan prides himself on his self-made and authentic music. In fact, many of his songs are initially recorded with nothing but a cell phone and his guitar.
The featured artists were ultimately a pleasant surprise to fans; each of the songs topped the charts. Three of the featured songs were Bryan’s most played songs and highest reviewed.
The song “I Remember Everything” features country artist Kacey Musgraves. Her beautiful voice blends well in a duet with Bryan’s raw, raspy voice, making the two an incredible pair. The song reminisces on a past relationship, leaving listeners feeling both heartbroken and obsessed with the song as well as the duo.
Furthermore, “I Remember Everything” has become the most played song of the album, holding the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for many weeks.
Although Bryan and Musgrave’s duet topped the charts, it was not the only track that made the list. Eight different songs from “Zach Bryan” landed in the top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100.
The album features another well-known music group, The Lumineers, in the song “Spotless.” The collaboration is both catchy and full of talent; however, many listeners believe the song falls short of the high standards set by the rest of the album.
Another lesser known collaboration appears on the song “Hey Driver.” This song featuring The War and Treaty contains passionate harmonies and intense piano tones, while capturing feelings of depression and loneliness. The track has a more soulful feel to it while still maintaining a country feel.
“Zach Bryan” has rocketed to the top of the charts and captured the attention of all kinds of listeners, launching Bryan’s name into a variety of discussions as a contender for high-profile awards, from CMA Male Country Artist of the Year to the Grammys, whose nominees will be announced in November.
The massive success of Bryan’s- album is not his only victory. Just days following the release of his album, Bryan announced a 10-month tour, set to begin in March 2024, and tickets to all 62 shows sold out almost immediately.
And that is not all. Bryan also released another album with five additional songs less than a month later titled “Boys of Faith.” This album leaves fans wondering if Bryan ever sleeps, but they are not complaining.
Bryan’s stardom is still only beginning, as he produces such raw and rhythmic albums, each one better than the last. “Zach Bryan” is captivating and emotional, and in the artist’s own words in the first track, “always leaves you wanting.”
