In 2017, a petty officer second class in the Navy started recording his original songs on his iPhone and posting them to YouTube. It’s now 2023, and the same person, Zach Bryan, has all 16 songs of his newest album in the top 20 on Apple Music.  

Growing up in Oologah, Oklahoma, Bryan started writing music as a 14-year-old but only a few years later followed his parent’s path into the Naval Branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. However, he never let up his songwriting and continued playing during his service. While stationed in Florida, he shared a video of a song he claims to have only written in five minutes, playing it outside his barracks in 95-degree heat. This song was “Heading South.” It’s still one of his top songs today. The video came shortly following the release of his first album, titled “DeAnn” after his late mother, which had been recorded in a nearby Airbnb. Bryan’s popularity quickly picked up traction, and it was just a little while until he released his second album, “Elisabeth.” 

Within the year, his talents were being scouted by major record companies, and he signed with Warner Records in early 2021. However, record companies were not the only ones taking note of his success, and soon after his deal, the U.S. Navy honorably discharged him to pursue a career in music. Bryan was now a full-time artist. In May 2022, he released his first major debut album, “American Heartbreak,” and this past summer, it went platinum. It included 34 songs and one spoken poem. Since then, the Oklahoman has become an easily recognizable name in the country genre, though his fanbase has expanded to more than just country fans.  

The core of Bryan’s music comes from the simple, small-town, hardworking lifestyle. He constantly finds his footing in heartfelt themes and universal experiences. People gravitate towards his raw, emotional lyrics, catchy melodies and the raspy authenticity of his voice. I first discovered Bryan when Spotify recommended one of his songs to me last year, but I became hooked this summer after my roommate played more of his top songs during our cross-country road trip. I never would’ve really called myself a country fan, but it’s hard to ignore good music.  

Recently, I’ve realized that I’m not the only one approaching the genre for the first time because of him. Folk music fans like him, pop music fans like him, and even some of my friends who mainly listen to rap have found an appreciation for him. His newest album was released a couple of weeks ago, and on Instagram, I noticed a surprising amount of people I knew reposting his announcements and getting excited about it. So, what makes him stand out?  

Well, to state the obvious, he writes really good songs. Not only that, but he is the sole writer for most of them, which is very impressive in a world of heavily produced music. He has a natural gift for poetry and can convey deep and passionate sentiments in very simple phrases. He’s also extremely vulnerable in how he communicates his life through music; he’s not afraid to talk about how much heartbreak took a toll on him or how “there’s still so much that I have to know,” a lyric from his single: “Burn, Burn, Burn.” Overall, he does a fantastic job of capturing the human experience. What it means to love and lose, and how the warmth of a happy home and family is all one needs. If you haven’t had the chance to give the 27-year-old singer-songwriter a listen, I highly encourage you to do so. You may just understand the words that are pouring from his mouth.