Introducing “With Heaven on Top”:

From high-energy anthems to solemn ballads, Zach Bryan’s new album, “With Heaven on Top” dives deep into the many complexities of life, commentating on loss, love, and everything in between. Setting the tone, Bryan begins the album with an auditorial rendition of his own poem: Down, Down, Stream. The poem commentates on the passing of time, centering around a home in New York that houses the memories of a lifetime passing by. Past the poem, however, are 24 songs produced in Zach Bryan’s classic singer-songwriter style with some new special twists. The breadth of Bryan’s songwriting capabilities cannot be overstated, so a brief synopsis will have to do.

The Good:

• Cannonball: Holding a more somber mood, Cannonball is a reflection on past memories with a deceased friend. Mentioning hardships and laughter, Bryan paints a vivid image as to the struggles of losing a loved one. Melodically, the song exemplifies both the sorrow and nostalgia of losing someone through a beautifully composed string section and emotional acoustic guitar strums.
• Bad News: Perhaps being the most relevant song on the Album, Bad News is a clear testimony of political and social divide within the United States. With mentions of ICE and constant “bad news” on the internet, Bad News is a controversial yet necessary call to action against the shifting tides within our country.
• Say Why: Bringing more energy, Say Why is a song about fighting for a relationship and the failures that follow. The song brings a determined energy and a powerful chorus that creates a sense of triumph. Melodically, Say Why is a relatively simple yet catchy song that makes it perfect for sticking in your head.

The Bad (Comparatively):

• You Can Still Come Home: While the lyrical content lives up to the rest of the album, You Can Still Come Home lacks the “punch” that other songs encapsulate. The song, while being melodically satisfactory, feels redundant and bland compared to similar tracks on the album.
• Runny Eggs: Falling into a similar category to You Can Still Come Home, Runny Eggs, the first true “song” on the album, finds itself in over-the-top redundancy. With a soft guitar seemingly on loop for the whole song and barely any variation in the verses and chorus, Runny Eggs feels slow and boring compared to other songs on the album.

Personal Favorites:

• Appetite: Bringing excitement and passion, Bryan’s Appetite commentates on his worries for the future, both through his own greed and the example he is setting for his future children. Looking past the grim lyrical content, however, the song brings a thrilling energy through a powerful horns section and a tasteful string accompaniment.
• Plastic Cigarettes: Being a soft, reminiscent ballad about relationships, Plastic Cigarettes brings a catchy guitar melody and a graceful rhythm that encapsulates the listener. There’s a reason that Plastic Cigarettes is the most listened-to song on the whole album.
• With Heaven on Top: Being the namesake of the album, With Heaven on Top brings a bittersweet ending to such an influential listening experience. With an upbeat rhythm, a heavenly strings accompaniment, and a beautiful duet between Bryan and another unnamed woman, With Heaven on Top combines the best aspects of each song and ties it together for the perfect ending.

Final Remarks:

Overall, With Heaven on Top is one of Bryan’s most esteemed works, pushing not only his own boundaries in songwriting but also giving the world a new form of music through his singer-songwriter style that he is known for. With such a range of emotion, “With Heaven on Top” creates a strong start to 2026 and pushes mainstream music to another level. The only thing left to do now is go watch him live on tour…