On Friday, Jan. 9, at midnight, Zach Bryan released his sixth studio album, With Heaven on Top. Since his rise to fame at the turn of the decade, Zach Bryan has become a staple of the Country, Western, and Americana communities, even holding the American record for the highest ticketed concert attendance with his performance at the University of Michigan. 

Bryan’s music has been undoubtedly successful, with numerous awards for his songs and albums, garnering dozens of additional nominations. Bryan has also sold tens of millions of albums and singles worldwide. 

Outside of music, Bryan has become somewhat of a polarizing figure, with a publicly failed relationship with social media star Brianna LaPaglia, and a viral run-in with the Oklahoma State Patrol.

Bryan’s previous album was entitled The Great American Bar Scene and was released on July 4, 2024. Peaking at number two on the Billboard 200, it featured collaborations with high-profile artists like John Mayer and Bruce Springsteen and had hits such as “28”, “American Nights”, and “Pink Skies”, the latter of which having garnered over six million plays. 

About the album 

With Heaven on Top is Bryan’s longest record to date, coming just a year and a half after his most recent album, it shows Bryan may be in the peak of his songwriting career. Also notable with this album is the fact that prior to its release, he announced the release of an accompanying acoustic version, seemingly answering critics of his newer, more produced style, like that seen on The Great American Bar Scene. 

Produced and recorded over the course of the past few months, there are a few tracks on the album that have previously been leaked, catching the attention of fans online. Tracks such as “Bad News,” “South and Pine,” “Dry Deserts,” and “Plastic Cigarettes” have all gained popularity on social media following the release of their teasers. Plastic Cigarettes has been rumored for over a year, building anticipation for the album. Bryan did not disappoint those fans who have been waiting for quite a while. 

While With Heaven on Top certainly features a new and different sound, a stark contrast from Bryan’s iconic American Heartbreak, this new vibe, combined with the stunning lyricism, certainly cement Bryan and the album as one of the great Americana, Alternative Country artists of all time. 

Thoughts on the album 

With a twenty-five-song tracklist, it can be easy to overlook many songs and even dismiss others, but this album as a whole represents a new chapter in Bryan’s career and life, as he was recently married to Samantha Leonard, and seemingly has departed from his younger, more rebellious years, giving way to a more intentional and reflective Bryan, the new Bryan present in the album. 

My first time listening to this album was highly anticipated, and I certainly had instant favorites. Similar to many fans, I held high expectations for the release, expectations that were remarkably surpassed, but perhaps more impressively for me was the unexpected favorites, such as “Appetite”, “Cannonball”, “Rivers and Creeks”, as well as “Aeroplane”. 

Many tracks are simply unlike any previous song of his, while others echo previous sounds and stories present in his prior songs. Each song has a distinct feel to it, some are fully produced and possess a well-rounded band accompaniment, while others are more stripped-down versions closer to his original sounds found on American Heartbreak. 

Take “Aeroplane” for example, it features Bryan’s lead vocals and a simple guitar accompaniment. It is perhaps one of the simplest songs on the album, but it reflects on his past relationships and how he plans to move on: “I got myself a ride on an old airplane.” 

Additionally, tracks like “Runny Eggs” and “Camper” do an incredible job of transporting the listener into the setting and fully immersing them with the pedal steel and guitar melodies, and bringing the listener into a deeply personal moment. 

On the flip side, the length of this album negates its overall impact, with many reflective and deeply personal tracks, songs like All Good Things Pass suffer in the presence of others. Taken by itself, the track is acceptable at least, but by the twenty-second song, a listener grows tired and needs something new, which the track lacks.

Also present on the album are love songs; “Slicked Back” is seemingly dedicated to his new bride, while “Skin” is rumored to be about his relationship with LaPaglia. These songs provide a glimpse into the everyday life and relationships of Bryan, providing catchy and intricate songs. 

While not every song is certified platinum, Bryan’s With Heaven on Top, is sure to be a fan favorite with hit songs and meaningful lyrics. All in all, I give it a four out of five.

Final Rating: 4/5