Zach Bryan is a name that many Brownell Talbot students may not yet have heard. Bryan is a newcomer on the modern country scene—and somewhat of an anomaly. In a world dominated by such names as Luke Combs and Sam Hunt, Zach Bryan is starting a new wave of folk-influenced, so-called “homemade” country, with his new, entirely self-produced eponymous album, Zach Bryan. Whether a listener loves or hates country music, Zach Bryan is worth a spin. Upon first listen, Bryan’s background as a U.S. Navy veteran is evident: the album begins with a poem called “Fear and Friday’s,” immediately followed by a short rendition of the National Anthem, segueing into the song “Overtime,” which is probably the most ornately produced song on the entire album featuring trumpets and pounding drums.
“Summertime’s Close” is a good representation of what the album embodies: soft acoustic guitar, faint harmonica and Bryan’s voice with a catchy chorus. After “East Time of Sorrow,” which is a solid acoustic-guitar melody much like the previous track, we are introduced to “Hey Driver,” a duet with The War and Treaty. The song immediately starts with dramatic, easily singable vocals, harkening back to an older generation of country music.
Overall, Zach Bryan stands up as a cohesive album, not just a collection of songs, a rarity in mainstream music in the 21st century. 2023 is shaping up to be Zach Bryan’s breakout year as an artist, and where he goes from here is only a mystery.
