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What Are Zach Bryan Fans Saying About the New Album?
Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

On July 4th, the one and only Zach Bryan released his fifth studio album which has been much anticipated by fans worldwide. A stripped sound was a unique approach by Bryan and some fans are not so sure that they like it. He has cultivated a dedicated fanbase who appreciate his authenticity and emotional depth in songwriting, but there is just something different about these songs. 

While this album may not have initially sparked immediate excitement among fans compared to some of his previous releases, it still retains the same depth, variety, and remarkable songwriting craft. Raw emotion and storytelling remains the center of Zach Bryans fan appeal and is seen once again in every track on the album. 

Fans have had mixed emotions on the quieter and stripped album. One Zach Bryan Fan stated, "Look I have loved this guy for 5 years and have consumed every piece of his music he has ever made but this album is just... I don't know. I've listened to it twice, and I appreciate the fact that it definitely goes back to his roots but the lyrics aren't enough to carry the stripped sound." 

One fan commented on the timing of the release by saying, "This just doesn’t feel fitting for a July 4th summer release to me. Another listener felt as if the songs were to similar to his previous hits and had "recycled lyrics." 

With the deep lyrics, many are curious if after some pondering if the album will grow on them more as time goes. When you listen to the full album and all of the lyrics, a story starts to unfold that some may have missed their first listen through, but maybe they just are not getting the same Zach Bryan excitement. 

Many fans are loving the new music and unique sound from Zach Bryan however. His song 'Pink Skies' has been a favorite from the beginning and the lead single to the album and it is currently Bryans most played song on Spotify. The title track, 'A Great American Bar Scene' is centered strictly on lyrics over the music. Many of his fans have been agreeing that although this is good songwriting, that the production causes some missing parts to the songs. 

Collaborations are a big part of this record. Bringing in big names, John Moreland, Bruce Springsteen, and John Moreland and a duet with Noeline Hofman may have been a bit of a surprise, but has been heavily noticed and appreciated in the more mature music we are hearing from Bryan. 

'The Great American Bar Scene' Tracklist 

1. 'Lucky Enough' (Poem)
2. 'Mechanical Bull'
3. 'The Great American Bar Scene'
4. '28'
5. 'American Nights'
6. 'Oak Island' 
7. 'Purple Gas' (with Noeline Hofman)
8. 'Boons'
9. 'The Way Back' 
10. 'Memphis; The Blues' (Featuring John Moreland)
11. 'Like Ida'
12. 'Bass Boat' 
13. 'Better Days' (Featuring John Mayer)
14. 'Towers'
15. 'Sandpaper' (Featuring Bruce Springsteen)
16. 'Pink Skies' (Album Version)
17. 'Bathwater'

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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