Country singer Zach Bryan released his self-titled fourth album this summer. Along with being self-titled, the entire 16-track album is also self-produced and features an array of famous artists including The Lumineers, Kacey Musgraves, The War and Treaty and Sierra Ferrell. “Zach Bryan” deftly blurs lines between the country, rock, folk and Americana genres. This album is the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter’s first number-one album, ending Travis Scott’s four week reign with “Utopia,” and is also the first rock album to appear at the top of the charts in over a year.

“Zach Bryan” is immediately unique. The first track, “Fear and Friday’s (poem),” is a short but heartfelt spoken word piece about personal growth, the need to appreciate the present moment and life’s simple pleasures — themes that are woven throughout the album. Unlike Bryan’s previous albums, there are few upbeat and danceable songs. This one features tracks that are emotional, vulnerable and sincere. Despite the lack of catchy lyrics and raucous tempos, the introspective lyrics and rich sound resonate and stay with the listener. 

The first proper song on the record, “Overtime,” is an anthemic beginning with the tune of the “Star Spangled Banner.” The song depicts his journey of overcoming obstacles and alludes to hard themes like alcoholism. The album continues strongly throughout with the biggest fan favorites being: “East Side of Sorrow,” “Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything,” “Tourniquet” and “Spotless.” “Tourniquet” is my personal favorite, particularly the lyric, “If you need a tourniquet or if you want to turn and quit, know that I’ll be by your side.” Bryan’s clever word play continues  throughout the whole album.

In an Instagram post, Bryan said of the new album: “I just wrote some poems and songs that I want to share because I think they’re special. Some of them are heavy, some of them are hopeful, but more than anything what’s most important to me is that they’re all mine. All I pray is that someone out there relates enough to not feel alone. I wrote and produced an album that I would want to listen to. I self-titled it because I hear every cell of my being in it.” 

Although dedicated and passionate fans reacted positively to the emotional and relatable album, Bryan has received a lot of criticism from industry pundits that say it sounds under-developed, in need of editing and poorly recorded. Personally, I think the roughness, rawness and imperfections of some of the songs add to the authenticity, richness and relatable themes. 

Bryan also announced his highly anticipated tour for this album, which opened for sale on Sept. 5. He received backlash for using the platform Ticketmaster after having released an album called “All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster,” in reference to the company’s price gouging. Though using that platform is not ideal, most of the stadiums have exclusive contracts with Ticketmaster, so in order for him to play there he has to use this platform. Although Bryan may not have chosen to use Ticketmaster, his priority seems to be making more tickets available to his fans by playing in huge arenas.

 “Zach Bryan” reveals another, more vulnerable, facet of this hugely popular artist and in doing so, showcases his songwriting talent and confidence as an artist. Some fans might not like this more subdued Bryan, but that is what I love most about this album. I truly think it is a no-skip album and arguably the album of the year. If any professors ask where I am on March 28th, I am sick, not attending Bryan’s tour at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn!

Lucy’s Ranking

1. Tourniquet
2. El Dorado
3. Spotless (feat. The Lumineers)
4. East Side of Sorrow
5. Jake’s Piano – Long Island
6. I Remember Everything 
7. Hey Driver (feat. The War and Treaty)
8. Overtime
9. Holy Roller (feat. Sierra Ferrell)
10. Fear and Friday’s
11. Ticking
12. Smaller Acts 
13. Summertime’s Close
14. Fear and Fridays (Poem)
15. Tradesmen
16. Oklahoman Son