"Zach Bryan" - Zach Bryan Album Review

“Zach Bryan” - Zach Bryan Album Review

Zach Bryan’s newest self-titled album, “Zach Bryan,” is his fourth studio album which was released on Aug. 25 and already has more than 110 million streams on Spotify. The country music artist sang emotional stories in his songs of heartbreak, loneliness, disappointment, and mourning the loss of loved ones.

Along with each isolated song telling a story, it is obvious that Bryan manifested this album methodically and particularly so that, when listened in order, the entire 54 minute album is generated from the same narrative.

Five days after the album’s release, Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ collaborative song: “I Remember Everything” is listed as the No. 5 most listened song by Bryan with over 13 million streams. His next most streamed song on the album is currently “Spotless,” which features the Lumineers, with over 8 million streams.

“Zach Bryan” has country influence, but is not a typical country music album. Bryan created a special album with perfectly flowing choruses, raw and real sounding vocals, talented guitar, piano and harmonica players. For all music lovers who aren’t in love with country music yet, this album would sway them into the genre; it has songs for when listeners want to cry, scream, dance and sing with family and friends.

With great emphasis on instrumental assistance, “El Dorado” makes use of electric guitars to end the song.

Bryan’s album focuses on emotion and vulnerability with understated lyrics and effects. Bryan shares his personal values throughout the album with underscoring the importance of love, friends, family and letting go of things that aren’t good for him anymore.

“Let it be then let it go,” (“East Side of Sorrow”) although simple and short, perfectly expresses the overall theme of the album of moving on and growing out of certain people and habits. Bryan employs natural alliteration throughout the album, but especially in “Tourniquet:” “I bandage up your body and your bones and your bad days too.”

While streaming the album on a phone, listeners may agree that Bryan sounds like he is in the same room; the lack of vocal enhancements, like autotune, allows for a personal, emotional and powerful experience.

Bryan transcends with not-so-typical musical effects: He and Sierra Ferrell sing together with an echo effect causing chills in “Holy Roller,” and there are sounds of crickets in “Smaller Acts.”

With inventive choices, Bryan still accomplishes country music with repeated traits, like mentioning states in the southeast in “Summertime’s Close.” “‘Cause you’re the fire of Carolina and Oklahoma too,” Bryan said.

Bryan’s album, which is written and produced by himself, has changed the country music genre by implementing innovative ideas. “Zach Bryan” shows what it truly means to be a human; it is sad, angry, upbeat, constantly changing tempos and mournful.

Bryan, currently with 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify, should be expecting a larger following in this upcoming year. Bryan will visit more than 35 cities in the U.S. and Canada in his 10-month tour named the “Quittin’ Time Tour” in 2024, including his hometown Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Zach Bryan” puts all country music artists on a pedestal while establishing a higher standard for all incoming album releases.

Rating: 10/10

Reviewer’s Favorite Songs: “East Side of Sorrow,” “Fear and Friday’s” and “Holy Roller”

Reviewer’s Least Favorite Songs: “Jake’s Piano - Long Island”

Natalie Simone is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.