Singer-songwriter Zach Bryan released the 25-song album, With Heaven on Top, on Jan. 9, and it wasn’t long before it hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. This album shows that life’s hardest lessons come from living them fully, painfully and honestly. Along with this massive album, Bryan also released a bonus track with 24 acoustic songs. It has become his second No. 1 album, according to Atwood magazine. Bryan is a good storyteller throughout all of his works, and here he is deeply focused on talking about how he finds peace, growth, and “heavenly” moments amidst heartbreak, sobriety struggles and the chaos of life.
One song that skyrocketed on the charts was “Say Why.” This song is about desperation for an answer to why he goes through so many hardships, internal conflict, his post-military content, and the idea of using alcohol as a crutch while going through loss and heartbreak, according to Billboard.com.
This song also talks slightly about Bryan’s relationship with God through some of the verses. The verse “Forty days in the desert just to wind up at your door,” relates to the time when Jesus was fasting in the desert. Another verse that stands out to fans in this song is, “Carried my cross to the bar last night.” This verse relates to the idea of trying to be in close relation with the Lord, but struggling with addiction to cope with pain.
Another song that hits hard for the fans of Bryan is “Appetite.” This song focuses on internal conflict, self-resolution, the price of fame, regret, growing up and the fear of having children and passing down his toxic traits to them. This vulnerable song shows Bryan’s deep internal conflict and insecurities. A few lines that stand out are, “Everyone I know got older, told my drunk a** to get sober. Settle down and have some kids, be content with all of it. What if I don’t want children to grow up like their father?”
Lastly, a song that appeals to the fans of Bryan is “Runny Eggs.” This record tells of reflection, nostalgia, finding peace amid chaos, and the relentless nature of a touring musician’s life. A verse that fans seemed to love was, “Find out where all my old love lies.” This line stands out to fans because it gives a hint of nostalgia. Bryan is looking back on old memories of happiness and love. Another line that makes an impression is, “But no matter where I go, I pray to always find home.” Bryan shows that through the chaos and reality of a traveling artist’s life, he still wants to stay connected to his roots and his home. Bryan is so vulnerable here, which fans adore, making them feel a connection with him.
One thing that fans found to be a bad quality of this album is that the instrumental parts of the songs sound very similar to some of Bryan’s previous songs. It makes it feel repetitive to the audience. But overall, fans have found this album to be very catchy and entertaining, with a diverse mix of slow and fast-paced songs. Fans love Bryan’s talent for telling deep stories, and this album emphasizes how to overcome hardships through stories and ideas from past, present and future. With Heaven on Top earns a 9/10.
