The Suspended Soul of Zach Bryan | 'American Heartbreak' Review 

Buckle in, boys. It's a long one!

The one thing i’ve noticed about this album is there’s no stand out hit that everyone agrees on. Not because the music isn’t good but because it’s fantastic and every song has it’s own emotion and story to it.

Grady: “I’ve listened to this album 4 or 5 times” Me: “Those are rookie numbers”

Billy Stay is out of this world. The lyric, the harmonica, the tempo swings, the finish. Reminded me of The Notebook story line.

i wish the country music gods would bless us with a childers/bryan song. Childers and colter wall on fraulein is such an amazing song. I feel like those two would mesh so well. Maybe they could be runnin thru a THICKET while zach harmonizes about the sky. Glad he made it big time, well deserved.

i am so glad i don’t care that it’s 34 songs long. i am completely addicted to it. the level of emotion poured into it is unmatchable as far as i’m concerned. i’ve listened to it from start to finish at least twice a day since the release and it just keeps getting better the more lyrics i pick up on. truly a special artist we have the pleasure of listening to.

A video going over every track would definitely be something that I think would be cool to watch! Also maybe you guys should do an interview sort of thing again as well

I was listening to this album in my classroom this week and my high schoolers came in and one of them said, “You listen to Zach Bryan?” I looked at them and said, “YOU listen to Zach Bryan?” That’s as good an indication as any how momentous and far reaching this album and Zach will be.

The whole album is amazing, but the part that sticks out the most to me is on "Tishomingo" starting at about 1:18. He says he wonders how far train cars can travel and as he says that line the drums come in sounding exactly like train cars speeding down the tracks. I don't know if that was on purpose or not but it reaches the level of the music matching the lyrics that "If She Wants A Cowboy" does...just brilliant

This is an album that we will all look back on and talk about for years and years to come. You killed it Grady. And for everyone that is hesitant to commit to listening to this album all the way through I can promise you it is well worth your time. Zach is a true poet and will go down as one of the greats. ❤️

One of my favorite parts of the album is actually "This Road I Know". Despite it not being a song per say, I find it is a really fitting ending and has this certain quality in the way it is spoken and the way I find meaning in the longing for stability and home. It hits me in a way that inspires hope for the future and I love it.

Zach Bryan is not jaded or cynical about the trials of this imperfect life.

there isn’t a single “miss” on this album. i love every single song. As an Okie watching Zachs rise to stardom gives me an enormous amount of pride. Zachs writing makes us all feel like he’s a distant friend. I’m so proud of what he’s been able to accomplish

I audibly said "Wow" in my car when Zach breaks into the final chorus in "From Austin". Can't get that feeling of optimism and hope out of my head

I was at the Luke Combs show in Denver. I was definitely aware of Zac Bryan before now, but that was the first time I really started paying attention, and now I’m intrigued to dive into his work, including this new album and his previous two.

Tishomingo is out of control, I cannot listen to it enough. Great work, Grady! Zach is something special.

One of my favorite albums in a long time! It’s very hard to pick a favorite song on here, but I really liked “heavy eyes”, “the good I’ll do”, and “68 fastback”. Thanks for the great content!

By far the best new album I've heard in many years. It's exactly what happens when influence from Turnpike Troubadors and Jason Isbell (my two favorite artists up until now) collide. Plus as a young man who plays guitar and sings, it's a gold mine of relatable and approachable songs. Can't get enough

Grady, you breaking down how Zach has a way with describing the “present” reminded me of November Air. This line stopped me in my tracks: “Your dreams were too small to care But I'm always reminded If you look hard, you'll find it Memory gives warmth to right here” It’s such a beautiful way of saying the “memory of you is comforting”. It’s warm. Almost like a hug. Think about someone you’ve lost. You’re eventually past the grieving stage; so instead of sadness, you flashback to memory you two shared. He’s so fucking good at what he does. I’m glad he’s seeing success. He deserves every bit of it.

His lyrics tug the strings of all my emotions… as well as events and thoughts that I can relate to in the past, and things I look forward to in the future. “The Outskirts” is my personal favorite. I love the line about the kids and crickets under pink skies, inviting people to come over. Beautiful.

You’re right Zach Bryan does have that sort of cleopatra era 2013 folk vibe, I’d never made that connection but I can definitely hear it

I need a video going through every song. This is such an amazing album. “Billy Stay” has such a beautiful arrangement and story.

Saw him perform in Bonner Springs, Kansas the day he released American heartbreak. General admission tickets got me 12 feet from the stage and every person in the venue sang their heart out. Best concert I’ve ever seen

Every song that is on the album sounds like I've heard it before and in the most best way possible

I absolutely love this album. Yes, it was daunting to go through the album at first bc of its length, but the emotional journey this album brings you on is seriously worth it. Also, loved your comparison of Zach to Taylor. As a swiftie, I found myself going through the album and comparing the two as well bc they both just have such an honesty in their music, and a knack for crafting lyrics and story telling. I already know that this is gonna be one of my most listened to albums of the year. Anyways, awesome review Grady! Very insightful as always.

You always make me fall in love with whatever you’re talking about by how you describe it and the little things you pick out. It’s like you’re reading my mind, but a part that I can’t access - you put words to things I had noticed a little bit but couldn’t fully expand upon. I’m obsessed with this album so I’m so glad you decided to make a video on it because I’m ready to love it even more

I didn't know his music and a few days ago Spotify recommended me "something in the orange" and from the first time I heard it I put it on repeat over and over again while working, I loved that song, I don't know why I didn't get to see the singer and listen to his album... tomorrow I will 👍

Grady we love you man. You're putting out great videos. The honesty and genuineness that instantly make a song respectable are exactly what makes your channel so good.

One of the best albums I’ve heard. Saw Zach live in concert too not long ago. I wasn’t expecting him to do an amazing live show, not sure why, but it turned out to be one of the best live shows I’ve seen!

The best part of being the Zach Bryan fan is the fact that me and a lot of other have watched him grow over the years I remember when only had a few hundred thousand monthly listeners and now close to 6 million it’s a proud feeling and it comes with pride too

was cool you let us know there's hardly edits by the end. so I can put my phone down but still listen. I like just looking at the pics/videos you attach but love how your content is entirely descriptive just with tour narrative

Great job on this Grady! And I have to give thanks to you as you were the one who introduced me to Zach Bryan years ago

This album made me feel every emotion from sadness, to joy. Everyone I talk to has a different song on this album that spoke to them. Everyone has a song that makes them remember something from the their past or speaks to them it's like he wrote the song about a memory you both shared even tho you have never met him. It's just such a special album

Ive listened to this album over 20+ times already. And hearing your perspective just makes me want to throw it back on and jam again!

His music genuinely comes from a special place, it comes from the soul. After i first heard letting someone go, I’ve been hooked. His music makes me feel more emotions than anything else I’ve ever encountered, and he does it sooooo well. The rawness and emotion in his voice when it cracks as he gets really into his music is something that gets me excited every time i hear it. He feels like a relatable star that has struggles and pains just like the rest of us. I saw him live two weeks ago and I’ll be chasing that high for the rest of my life.

Man I’ll never forget finding condemned on my twitter and wondering if he had a Apple Music but he didn’t. Then saw he was making an album and listened to it the whole day it came out. Great video Grady I was just waiting to hear what you had to say!

Awesome video! Definitely would love to see an in depth, song by song breakdown! Absolutely love your insights

Zach’s lyrics just speak to my soul, I’m from Oklahoma as well and lost my mom and she’s alright just breaks my heart because I feel it so deep. Been a Zach fan since his first releases

Always impressed with how you are able to articulate all of our thoughts on something like this.. great video

As a fellow Oklahoma kid who not only married another OK kid and is married into military life the imagery in his song writing captures this love of adventure and the stories it brings you but also miss this place that's home. And also an OK thing- we love the sky. It's both giving to those who make their living from it when it rains but it can also be destructive. You can easily pinpoint a storm or that a tornado is coming by the color in the sky, the stars in the country are beautiful and the sunsets make you stop and take in a moment. Everything (I've listened to so far) about this album is both sides longing and nostalgia to me and for those of us who keep moving from the place that feels like home we start to feel that as we get older.

I’ve been waiting for this video all week! Me and the boys stayed up for the album release and it was more the worth it.

Great video. Didn’t even feel like 30 minutes. Thanks for all you do Grady.

I love Zach Bryan but it is really hard for me to pick out which songs I really like from his album. It’s huge lol

not sure what folks will say but, I owe my knowledge of country music to (among other sources) your videos so keep'em coming!!

He’s coming to summerfest in Milwaukee in June and I’m SO fucking excited. This album has made me laugh, smile, and cry. Zach is one of the best writers of our generation.

It’s weird seeing more of my friends posting/talking about Zach Bryan. I’ve been a huge fan since his first album and I kind of felt like he was my special thing that no one else knew about and now he’s taking off! Happy for him and excited for what’s to come.

Can’t wait to go see this man in person! Heard this may be the last time he goes on tour which if true, it’s really unfortunate.

“when you’ve been watching from the beginning it’s amazing to see” that’s so true. i went to school with him and its so amazing to see someone from our tiny town get so big so fast, god protect zach on his adventures

As soon as I finished my first listen to the album, my first thought was “I can’t wait to hear what Grady has to say about this.” You have put words to my thoughts so many times and you have nailed it here. Awesome video my man

Fantastic work, Grady. Per the usual! 🤘🏻

His music is so incredibly personable. I’m obsessed with the recklessness as it juxtaposes the beauty associated with it. I’ve been a fan of his for a minute, I realize now how much he’s inspired my art. I wrote my exhibition for my art portfolio, trying to condense the theme of my work. Given I’m from the city, my art is somehow reflecting a western theme: the reckless nature of cowboys, yet the simplicity and admiration towards the pain and beauty associated with it? Sounds like I’m a little obsessed. He has inspired me so much, and I admire the stories he creates so much. Great video, fabulous takes.

Honestly, please do another video talking about each song. I literally added all but two songs to my music on Spotify. The album did not disappoint one bit! Zach Bryan is just awesome and I love how much you talked about Taylor bc I can’t count the number of times I was reminded of Taylor’s writing style while listening. He also copied her studio picture while recording this. A duet one day would be something

As a college kid, I love to see how massive amounts of college age kids have grasped onto this navy vet because whether he knew it or not, he relates to so many people by just singing his own life experience. “Relatable” is often an overused word… except when talking about Zach Bryan.

This video was so well done . The first thing I thought of when I listened to Zach was Americana . Like Norman Rockwell meets westerns .

You hit the nail on the head with the “redemptive” quality of Zach’s writing. That’s one of the main things I’ve loved about him since I first started listening. Even on the earlier records that are more self-loathing, there’s so much hope on tracks like “Come As You Are” and “Revival” where he’s telling other people that forgiveness is possible & you can always come home. It was really, really nice and kindof healing to see him start to extend some of that same grace to himself on this album. Love that man and thought this was a great review!

I saw him live in a concert in calgary, AB. Absolutely magical

I'm gonna put it here since I don't see anyone else ever give it love - Good I'll Do is such a beautiful song and one of the most soulful on the album. I could go into every single song on the album and why each is so good, but that song really just makes me want to live a better life today.

It took a while for the album and Zach Bryan to connect with me, I am and very use to listening to traditional country and bluegrass, I think that’s why it took awhile but the more I listened to the album and his past albums I really started to love the non traditional sound he’s putting forth and well I’d say he just sounds folky and I love his music. He’s playing with good singers such as Charles Wesley Godwin and he called up a good old Kentucky boy Cole Chaney to open with them in Kentucky. I respect the hell out of the guy for having those two along with him on tour and calling up a fairly new guy and giving him exposure. He’s very sincere about the great life he is living because of the music and he’s appreciative and you got to love that.

Hey man I loved this. Hadn't thought about the parallels to Taylor Swift but you are spot on. She captures things (like Zach) that are very simple yet very difficult/complicated to pull off. Its what makes them such talented artists. Funny to me that your song recs were completely different than mine would have been. Again, that's a credit to the artist. I started getting into him when my teenagers were sending me his youtube back porch videos. Your comments about how he took off were so true. I was watching those videos trying to learn his songs. I think with this album the secret is out. This guy is something special for sure. Thanks for all the comments.

I haven't even begun to listen to this album but "from Austin" came on the radio and I loved every second of it! then I realized ot was zach and I had been listening to his music for a couple of months prior without even realizing he was releasing this album! very excited to listen to it.

Man I’ve been listening to him since the beginning and I’m so glad he is blowing up his lyrics are so good and he just has this passion I haven’t seen in a while

Been waiting for this video from you. Always appreciate your album deep dives. Found Zach Bryan a few years ago through your videos and have been trying to convince everyone in my life to become fans too. Exciting to see him get the recognition he deserves. My first thought was that the album was too long for a more mainstream release. But his other albums have been long too and so I appreciated him staying true to that.

When heading south blew up is when I started listening. Now I know every word of every album including the newest one.

Album is the best I’ve heard since a Childers album. It’s just perfect. I love the length because it’s just a collection of a great song writer. With a trots from his self and just some made up. Zach never misses

The Good I'll Do is a beautiful track that I keep going back to personally. Love the line "I awoke to kitchen smoke, you dancin' like God's moved in you before".

He's taught me I need to learn to pay attention. Grew up literally one town over, my wife has several mutuals cause she's from the same town. I JUST figured out who this guy was like a month ago when my wife played me a song (even though she informed me she's mentioned him multiple times). He's my new favorite artist. Could've been listening to DeAnn years ago...

You talk about the roar of his voice. It reminds a lot about Lucero out of Tennessee. That man’s voice will make me drive all night.

Great video Grady! I’m so glad that someone is as excited about how great this monster of an album is. I agree with everything you said.

You articulated this album beautifully. Thank you.

you are the BEST Grady!!!!! love u and your point of view.

Been around you and Zach since about 2019 ain't been the loyalist missing videos and releases, but damn you boys have done well

When this album came out it was like a therapy session I didn’t know I needed! Zach doesn’t miss and his live show is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before!

Why did I enjoy the comparison of beyond meat and radio country so much? I love how much Grady embraces indie country/americana but still covers mainstream. I haven't listened to more than a few minutes of country radio since finding this channel years ago and with Grady's recs and searching on my own I've found so many great artists, including Zach Bryan.

I love every single song in this album, they all hit hard and I love the vocals and instrumentals in everything, but I'd have to say that Sun to Me is my favourite. It's a bit more simplistic of a song, and it's got less emotional depth, but I feel like that makes it beautiful in a different way. I also have a big thing for sunflowers so that probably adds to my love for the song. Great video and analysis. Would love to see more Zach Bryan content

Going to see him live in 9 days in Spokane Washington super excited!

great vid broke it down well and I liked this album a lot keep up the good work Grady

First time watching your review, inter-review. I'll say refreshing, genuine, connective as well interesting to travel with u as u implant yourself into the artist as well the listener. Simply said, I'd say great job of not just the review yet the ability to peel back layers and see, feel, relate, empathize and engage with the artist and listener/fan. Honestly the fact that u were skeptical in the beginning(previous videos) and not wanting to fall into the hype yet letting his choice of emotion and expression allowed you to drop any pre disposed "pigeon holing" of what , who, why is irrelevant and yet resonate with "how does this sit with me" perspective is ...refreshing. enough said, well done great insight amazing review not biased or belittling. SOLID!!!

Such an excellent breakdown Grady. Thank you!

Please do the one by one video. I’ve listed multiple times through and it takes me breath each time.

I loved your Twenty One Pilots call out as they were the first act that came to mind you mentioned the grassroots groundswell of support Zach has had. Being in Columbus and seeing TOP come up was something special. I saw them open a free show at a church on the northside of the city, and the next time I saw them, they had sold out the largest outdoor venue in town in less than 24 hours. Zach's meteoric rise feels extremely similar and I'm absolutely here for the ride.

I'm into the heartbreak in this album '68 Fastback, Happy Instead, Morning Time...even in You Are My Sunshine dreams have been shattered

Been there since the start of that Condemned video on twitter, and so happy people love this music as much as me....

I love how some are songs and some are story turned in to songs. He's on of the few to be able to pull off both.

I'm actually glad that "from Austin" was put out separately from the rest of the album. Its such a good song but I feel that such a runaway hit would have pulled attention from a lot from the rest of this amazing album

Thanks for this Grady . He is an amazing new artist, love his sound and the soul in his songs .

I've been waiting, it feels like since your first break out video, to see this video. I would have to say, Zach Bryan really personifies your vibe and is probably why I feel I've been waiting for this video.

No one more deserving than Zach Bryan. You’ve done an amazing job helping people discover Zach and how great of an artist he is. Watching American Heartbreak take everyone by storm jaw swelled my heart from him. Please please please make a song by song video, I don’t even care if it’ll be 2 hours long.

Zach is the Dashboard of my adult years that doesn’t make me want to off myself. You said it exactly with “he’s the hoper”; I feel that hope. It gives me peace. “Find someone who grows flowers in the darkest parts of you”.

Zach is really special. I met him after one of his concerts and he waited to take pictures and talk to everyone who was waiting by his bus. Genuinely one of the nicest and most humble people I have ever met and it makes me so happy seeing all of his success. He is one hell of a songwriter, performer, and human being and it has been awesome watching him bud into a star.

Zach has a way of being vulnerable and poetic in his song writing that enhances everyday emotions beautifully. Everyone having different favorite songs puts that in display. His raw authenticity, rugged but poetic sound reminds me so much of my favorite artist, Johnny Cash. Love your honest take Grady! I think any honest take would be rant because of his unique diverse sound.

After reading through the album, Billy Stay is the one I overlooked the most and the song that people around me seem to overlook, i don't know if its harder to understand the meaning when listening as apposed to reading it, but after reading it, it really is an incredible song.

The music video for “Something in the Orange” might be my favorite music video of all time… I think it’s the simplicity for me. With every quick vid of a different sunset, I get flashbacks and memories and reminders of my own moments like that, and it just makes me feel happy. I guess you could say there’s just something in the orange 🙃

Very well thought out review of a great album. I appreciate your hard work! I love how Zac is a visual/sensory writer and he writes all these songs himself! An accomplishment alone in this vampire industry. He keeps to Americana roots and he uses a low fi recording and aesthetic. My fave album track is something in the orange. It has an old soul/vintage quality like something from cash or haggard. But I sometimes feel that he should rev up his sound a bit. Use different chords and electric guitars. Some of the tracks sound the same. I like that he dives into faster tempos. Maybe he should try different tunings and keys. I also feel like he writes his best when he has lived thru the experience or at least desired it himself. When he writes others stories it's hard to buy the emotions of the song and his poetry lacks in those areas..it's less descriptive. The pity party can go too because I'm trying to see how that can translate into a live show where people want to worship an idol. but he is a great writer. Just my opinion that doesn't matter lol

Grady great video. you frequently talked about the writing, which is amazing, but I think you're underselling Zach's singing style. I think annunciation isn't the best word for it, but the emotion from Zach's voice feels raw. He never once sounds forced, on the rowdy songs you can hear the excitement, and the more somber moments sound vulnerable. The squeaks, the cracks in his voice bring out raw or authentic emotion that you can FEEL. Other musicians concerts are at his studio levels of energy which is why I think his live show is a must. I saw the Lumineers right after Cleopatra was released, and I can hear and feel the similarity, but his show just has more energy in both the stands and on the stage.

About to watch this video and I’m praying for no slander bc it’s my personal favorite album ever and I’ve had it on repeat ever since it came out.

This album is honestly the best piece of music I’ve ever listened to. It has reminded me what it feels like to not have weight on my shoulders and to be happy in a way I honestly forgot about. Mine Again means so much to me. I have truly felt like I’ve gotten a huge part of myself back in the past year, this song puts it into words better than I ever expected. When it is revealed that it is himself who he has gotten back, I broke down. So. Damn. Real. Zach’s making music for the sad boys that are fighting like hell to be happy again. Truly appreciative. Love this review Grady! Thanks! And thanks for putting his music on my radar!

I’ve watched this video several times but the “Heartland Rock” term hit me this time. Such an awesome way of putting it.

There are so many greats on this album. A few that stuck out to me the most are: Someday, Blue, No Cure, and Tishimingo.

I'm glad I found him before he really made it. The first time I heard Zach I was like what is this, I binged all of his RU-vid videos. It's been great watching him grow as a artist

I’ve listened to this album straight through multiple times, as well as just listening to it normally all the time and it is just so damn good. I feel everyone of his songs on a personal level and I love him and his music and I’m so glad to see his success