The self titled album Zach Bryan, by Zach Bryan, is one of the best country albums I have ever listened to.
The album was released on August 25, 2023. Within weeks, it topped the Billboard 200. “I Remember Everything”, track 11 on the album, also made the news. Days after the song’s release, it topped the Hot 100.
At first, I was skeptical of the album. I had heard some of Bryan’s songs on Instagram and other social media platforms, including “Something in the Orange” and “Smaller Acts.” Although I agreed that the songs were good, I concluded that all of his songs sounded the same.
I had assumed its quick popularity meant that his music was as basic as a country album could be. After my sister had played “I Remember Everything,” featuring fellow country artist Kacey Musgraves, in the car over and over again, I decided to give the album a try.
My expectations were set low due to recent country albums, which I felt had lost the sense of folk culture and true ‘free’ living. Zach Bryan completely surprised me. After understanding just how vulnerable Bryan is in his lyrics, I was able to fully immerse myself in his songs.
“I have ridden in fear, although I was afraid every single time.” His lyrics, like these from the first track of “Fear and Friday’s (Poem)”, express that his words are wholehearted and true. His ability to open up to his listeners allows them to relate to him, and that’s what his songs did for me.
Many songs express mixed emotions, even some that contradict themselves. Countless lyrics convey the idea of missing home while being grateful to be gone, being a lover and being a fighter, as well as being a role model while still needing one. His songs are about growing up while wishing to stay young in the eyes of others.
His constant fear of losing loved ones is expressed in songs like “East Side of Sorrow” and “Ticking”. Not only does he reflect the idea of grieving someone who has passed, but also on having to let go of those who are still alive.
In “Ticking”, Bryan expresses having to let go of relationships throughout the song. “I’m cuttin’ ties with things that bind my heart to this world // I love you and I’m willin’ but I cannot keep you, girl.” He sings with a full heart. The entire song explores feelings of time moving too quickly and wishing to stay in certain moments forever. Not wanting to grow up is something we all experience, and Zach Bryan expresses just that.
Listeners like myself can relate to these ideas. Sometimes, especially when good things come to an end, I feel like time is moving too quickly. Sometimes it even feels as if I’m wasting my time away, and not spending it on important things.
Leaving people behind to grow is something almost everyone goes through at least once in their lives. There are times we want to take people with us on our new journeys, even when it’s not right for them. Bryan fully expresses this through his songs in the album, creating a sense of understanding through his own experiences for listeners.
Words can’t describe how I feel while listening to this album, and numbers can’t either. I wouldn’t be able to rate this album because of its complexity and range of influences from country, folk, and pop. I would genuinely recommend this album to anyone, even non-country fans.
