As of this time last year, American Zach Bryan has made his way into my top albums of the last 365 days list. Like his project Zach Bryan in 2023, the singer-songwriter offers a country, folk, and Americana sound. The arrangements are minimalist and comforting; guitar, harmonica, and piano are part of the success of The Great American Bar Scene.
What makes Bryan’s art so fascinating and captivating is unequivocally his husky voice and the quality of his poetry. As on his namesake album, he opens his latest offering with a poem, this time entitled “Lucky Enough.” In this piece, the artist takes a philosophical look at both his achievements and his future. Then, with the excellent “Mechanical Bull,” the 28-year-old artist takes stock of his life and ambitions. It’s easy to identify with his thoughts and questions.
At his side, Zach Bryan counts on the contributions of renowned artists such as John Mayer and Bruce Springsteen. It’s with Bruce Springsteen on “Sandpaper” that we feel he’s most out of his comfort zone; definitely one of the highlights of the project. “28” and “American Nights” are also among the project’s most assertive tracks.
It’s up to you to decide whether the controversy surrounding his recent break-up with Brianna LaPaglia is holding you back from venturing into his musical catalog. Otherwise, take the time to discover and appreciate the high quality of this offering.
