Album Review: Zach Bryan – With Heaven On Top
2 min read
At just twenty-eight years old, Zach Bryan has taken the country world by storm. Signed to a major label after his two self-produced releases, Zach has found success both with fans of the genre and with the charts. Lead single I Remember Everything from his self-titled chart topping fourth album has gained over one hundred-million streams and earned him a GRAMMY Award. Now, he brings us his sixth studio album.
Not starting the year off lightly, With Heaven On Top begins its twenty-five song, hour and twenty-minute runtime with Down, Down, Stream, a spoken word monologue read with a melancholic monotone. The first full song Runny Eggs starts in true folk fashion with harmonica and acoustic, slide guitar easing its way in and out, providing a gentle ambience for Zach’s vocals. Brass explodes on the intro to Appetite, a rough and ready but honest drinking song, while Say Why meshes the two instrumentals with a stomping beat accompanying. Harmonies add a 70s-tinge to Santa Fe on top of the upbeat chorus, and Dry Desert builds to a gritty guitar solo straight out of Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac.
South and Pine is a mid-album highlight, its muted trumpet solos interchanging with lovely fiddle playing. Slicked Back barrels along with slide guitar solos and distorted electric, while Anyways matches its energy with has a hint of Mumford & Sons. Much of the latter half of the album explores the themes and sounds, tracks like Always Willin’ and Miles showcasing more of Zach’s dynamics as a singer. Camper is a gorgeous short ballad, and while Sundown Girls breezes past, its presence outlasts the runtime. Closer and title track With Heaven On Top acts as a beautiful conclusion, incorporating every instrument on the record into a well-written, soulful tune.
While its musical palate does little to justify its length, Zach’s sixth album acts as a showcase for his lyrical storytelling and playing. There are a number of tracks that stand out from the crowd, and it’s those – such as Camper and the title track – that highlight the reasons for his success. Overall, the fans have lots to dig their teeth into.
Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.
