Zach Bryan: American Heartbreak Review

Indie darling, Zach Bryan, has dominated the country scene on social media for the past year. After signing a record deal with Warner Records in 2021, American Heartbreak is Bryan’s first major label record. Coming in at thirty-four songs, the record is an absolute behemoth. With an album this incredibly long, you would expect there to be a lot of filler and overall duds. However, Bryan truly did the unthinkable and released a two hour album that’s equally captivating as it is cohesive.

American Heartbreak was released on May 20, 2022. It quickly became one of the most popular country albums of the summer, peaking at number one on Billboard’s country chart and number five all-genre.

Bryan gained notoriety through his brilliant songwriting and lyrical ability, often penning emotion-filled, self-critical ballads about love, loss, legacy, and leaving. His writing skills are once again front in center in American Heartbreak. All of the thirty-plus tracks are filled to the brim with thought-provoking lyrics.

American Heartbreak marks a key turning point in Bryan’s discography. Mostly known for his minimally-produced, “sadboy” songs much in the vein of his counterparts Jason Isbell and Tyler Childers, Bryan decided to give his audience some much needed levity here on this record. Late July, The Outskirts, and a cover of You Are My Sunshine are among the many songs that give this album some much needed hope.

Heavy Eyes, Younger Years, and Poems and Closing Time are among the many songs that bring out Bryan’s playful, rocking side. These songs feature heavy electric guitar riffs and lyrics that feel fresh while covering familiar territory.

All that being said, Bryan did not lose any of his edge or ability to deliver simply gut-wrenching lyrics. ‘68 Fastback is a lyrical standout on the record. The entire song is built around the metaphor that Bryan, himself, is the ‘68 Fastback, a broken down car ruined by his previous lover. It is uses of metaphors like this that make Bryan stand head and shoulders above his peers writing-wise.

Bryan’s biggest single, Something in the Orange, is another lyrical standout. Again, using metaphors, Bryan paints a sunrise/set as a reminder of his unwillingness to let go of his love. The raw, gritty vocals he lends here really help convey the hopeless desperation this song is all about.

One aspect of American Heartbreak that stood out to me after many listens is Bryan’s ability to write from varying perspectives. It’s an ability that few can do well, but he absolutely thrives switching between different characters and POVs. Throughout the record, Bryan is able to craft compelling narratives about a wife struggling with her husband’s battle with Alzheimer’s (Billy Stay), a routy man being shipped off to war for his crimes (Whiskey Fever), and the son of a cowboy struggling with living in his father’s shadow (Open the Gate).

Although I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on Bryan’s songwriting, the production here is equally as good. Given that this is Bryan’s first studio album, this is the first time any of his songs have been produced with an entire band. The results are simply gorgeous.

Bryan and his producers used everything here, incorporating harmonicas, mandolins, banjos, and violins. In other words, everything that makes country music distinct and beautiful is present in American Heartbreak.

However, this album is not without its flaws. The overall length of two hours is a chore for even the most dedicated music listener. Simply put, not everyone has the time to be able to sit down for two hours and listen to the album in its entirety. Ideally, American Heartbreak could have been split into a double or triple album, enclosing songs with similar themes together.

American Heartbreak is a release that truly feels like a once-in-a-lifetime album and listening experience. The record feels more like a coming-of-age film rather than an actual music album. Conceptually, a thirty-four track, two hour record should not work as well as American Heartbreak”works. The only minor flaw would be the album’s enormous length. Bryan takes you on a journey full of love, loss, and hope, encapturing the American experience beautifully.

9.5/10