The well known and loved country artist, Zach Bryan, released a new album August of 2023. Titled “Zach Bryan”, the compilation of songs leads you through a rollercoaster of emotion. It begins with a poem that guides the listeners through a tale of learned lessons and promises. A unique way to start an album, it sets a tone for the songs that send you through a world of sorrow, love, and passion. 

The features include: Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Sierra Ferrel, and The War and Treaty. Musgraves’s feminine sound provides a perfect contrast to Bryan’s steady masculine voice. In addition, she completes “I Remember Everything” as the opposite end of the story in an unbeatable way. The smoothness in her voice matches the lyrics to a T. The Lumineers did not deliver as much as I would have liked. “Spotless” was undeniably enjoyable but left a hole in the album. The style of the song did not complement the rest. Ferrel and Bryan act as a dynamic duo in “Holy Roller”. The two voices stitch together beautifully. Finally, the rasp in Michael Trotter’s voice nicely supplied variety, whilst the subtlety of Tanya Blount gave “Hey Driver” a satisfying sound.

Gut-wrenching and tear-struck, I find myself coming back to this album time after time. I have never been an avid country listener, but Bryan brings life to each song he composes. This album did not fail to exceed my expectations.The overwhelming sensation of lost romance and grief give the illusion of a shoulder to cry on. Overall the album was highly relatable, leaving you feeling delicate and vulnerable. It is easy to say “Zach Bryan” did not disappoint.