To me, folk and country music screams summer. But some artists can transcend beyond my listening seasons. Zach Bryan is undoubtedly one of them; his talent makes him a year-round staple on my playlist.
Despite his recently questionable actions, I’ll admit the man makes pretty damn good music.
On Nov. 7, Bryan released two singles, “High Road” and “This World’s A Giant.” Naturally, his music makes me want to put cowboy boots on and frolic through a field (I hope I’m not the only one). However, the vibe of these singles is different.
It’s more of hanging up Christmas lights in your house while your small town is covered in snow. And I’m certainly not mad about that.
“High Road” begins with an upbeat guitar and synth, which is ironic because the lyrics are quite the opposite. The song revolves around the memory of his mother who passed away on Aug. 4, 2016.
He sings “Adderall and white-lace bras that makes you fall in love/ You left your blue jeans in my pickup truck.” Even though who he’s singing about isn’t in his life anymore, her presence lingers.
Before acceptance comes bitterness. It’s one thing for something to be over, but it’s a separate thing to acknowledge it is.
“Everyone is tellin’ me that I need help or therapy/ But all I need is to be left alone.” As someone who has trouble opening up about how they really feel, this lyric meant a lot. When you’re so used to dealing with your problems alone, it’s easy to reject help from others.
In the second verse, he thanks his mom for his big break. From singing songs and playing guitar in his Oklahoma home, to having 29.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify as of Nov. 12, he’s definitely become a well-known figure in country music.
The chorus is the most emotional part of the song, and you can hear the pain in his voice as he sings “She’s bound to come back and haunt you forever/ There’s ghosts in these windows and walls/ I’m waitin’ by the telephone all fuckin’ night/ Someone that ain’t ever gonna call.”
The electric guitar is one of my favorite elements in this song as it fits the mood perfectly.
He closes the song out by repeating the first verse. It’s almost as if he’s accepted what’s happened but will continue to look for his mother in everyday activities. She’ll stay with him as he recalls the memories they once shared.
“This World’s A Giant” follows a similar narrative, where he struggles with internal issues. I like the slow, somber melody of this track more as I feel it fits Bryan’s discography. It also showcases his metaphorical storytelling beautifully.
The mixture of a guitar, piano and trumpets set the scene for a devastatingly nostalgic track.
He sings “Be still, be quiet, this world’s a giant/ That I don’t feel like facing tonight. I don’t have the words yet, I’ll smoke a cigarette.” Bryan doesn’t feel like dealing with how scary the world can be. He doesn’t have the words to describe exactly how he’s feeling, but he finds comfort in talking to whoever he’s addressing in the song.
Bryan continues about how he wants to have children eventually, but to do so, he needs to correct his childish behaviors. This song feels a lot like talking to your younger self and trying to let them know you’re trying your best.
While reflecting upon his life, he feels guilty for all the bad things he has done. “I’ll say sorry to God for all the trouble I’ve caused/ Maybe that’s a good place for me to start.” Perhaps a nod to his recent break-up with internet personality Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia.
While the future can be terrifying and you’re bound to make mistakes, you’re someone your younger self would look up to. He sings “I heard breathin’ in this world is the thief of joy.” This lyric stuck with me the most, as breathing in the bad of this world can steal from your happiness.
I loved how the song’s production became more powerful as he sang that line, making sure it left a lasting impression on his fans.
In both of these songs, Bryan’s poetic approach captures the universal struggles of loss, introspection and personal growth. And with each release, he invites us to navigate the highs and lows of life right along with him.
