Country star Zach Bryan released his self-titled fourth studio album on August 25th. The album’s popularity has grown rapidly over the past few months, with seven of the sixteen songs reaching the U.S. Top 100 songs.
Bryan’s popularity as both a country artist and a breakthrough popular act has surged in recent years. He is currently the 173rd most-streamed artist on Spotify with over 25 million monthly listeners.
While the new album is certainly popular, it’s definitely not his best. But it is also not his worst.
Bryans’ third studio album American Heartbreak is and remains his strongest work, but with the new album, it just comes down to a toss-up between his other three albums.
Other critics spoke highly of the album, with Pitchfork giving it a 6.7 out of 10, saying “Listening to Bryan’s songs, it’s clear why he’s thriving on country radio.”
One of the album’s best tracks is “Spotless” (feat. The Lumineers)”, which is about how relationships today can be harder because of social media and expectations. It shows how everybody has imperfections, no matter who you are.
On “Spotless,” Bryan sings “I ain’t spotless, neither is you For once in my life, I’m gonna see it through If you want spotless, I’ll always losе I don’t want love, lover, I want the truth”.
The lyric speaks to the listeners explaining that nobody is perfect, and if someone expects to be perfect in a relationship then it’s not real love.
Regarding the songwriting on the album, Bryan said “I don’t need a music machine telling me what a good story is.”
Featured artists include The War and Treaty on “Hey Driver”, Sierra Ferrel on “Holy Roller”, Kacey Musgraves, and The Lumineers.
The most streamed song from the album on Spotify so far is “I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)”.
Overall, the album is a smooth listen, and I definitely recommend giving it a stream if you’re looking for a heartfelt country album.
The tracklist has 16 songs, including “Spotless”, “I Remember Everything”, “Hey Driver”, “Holy Roller”, “Overtime”, “Fears and Fridays”, “Smaller Acts”, “Oklahoman Son”, “Ticking”, “Jakes Piano – Long Island”, “Fears and Friday’s (Poem)”, “Tourniquet”, “East Side of Sorrow”, “Tradesman”, “El Dorado”, and “Summertime’s Close”.
Bryan will appear at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, where he will be supported by The Middle East and Levi Turner.
