Zach Bryan has just unveiled his highly anticipated new album, “The Great American Bar Scene,” released on July 4th via Warner Records. This 19-track project includes 18 songs and a poem, featuring collaborations with notable artists such as Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Noeline Hofmann, and John Moreland.
Leading up to the album’s release, Bryan took an unconventional approach by sending the songs on tour to nearly two dozen bars across the United States and Canada. This unique strategy allowed fans to preview tracks from “The Great American Bar Scene” early. Bryan explained his intent on Instagram, saying, “My intent with all this is to give everyone an early glimpse of this album, but more importantly, this is in the spirit of bringing people together for a memorable moment.” He selected 23 bars that he felt embodied the spirit of American culture, where select cuts from the album were played starting June 24th. Bryan added, “As much as I’d kill to play all these timeless bars, it won’t be possible. I will be visiting a few off the list to have a drink with y’all. The Great American Bar Scene will be released on July 4th. With love from the road, ZB.”
The album is led by previously released tracks “Pink Skies” and “Purple Gas.” A double vinyl version of “The Great American Bar Scene” is also set to be released on October 10th. In addition to preparing new music, Bryan has been headlining his Quittin’ Time tour, which features a lineup of openers including Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Turnpike Troubadours, and The War & Treaty.
Bryan has a history of releasing albums with little or no advance warning, such as the live album he put out on Christmas Day a year and a half ago. He hinted that this album might have a similarly spontaneous release date, even as he revealed the album’s title while unveiling “Pink Skies,” the album’s bittersweet first single. On social media, Bryan wrote, “Guys I’m teasing no body. I write and record music reckless and fast. Just got the record finished, so it’ll be dropped on someone’s head any day now. I truly want to just say thank you for being so kind and patient, I’m really freaking grateful lately.”
The album consists of 17 tracks, or “16 songs and a poem!” as Bryan described it. He expressed his pride in this piece of work, stating it’s the proudest he’s ever been of a project. It’s only been nine months since Bryan released his last album, titled “Zach Bryan,” which included the single “I Remember Everything,” a duet with Kacey Musgraves that topped the Billboard Hot 100 upon release and went on to win a Grammy. In that instance, Bryan did not release “I Remember Everything” or any other track until the day the album came out.
This time, however, he’s giving fans a preview with “Pink Skies.” The song’s subject matter is a funeral, but it’s not an altogether downbeat track. Bryan’s fans are accustomed to his ability to deliver sing-alongs with a touch of melancholia. Bryan clarified that the song is not autobiographical, saying, “‘Pink Skies’ wasn’t inspired by my story. Every time I sing about someone dying, people assume it’s about my mom. This definitely was not. I just think all the dynamics in families are beautiful and interesting, and generationally it’s a really cool thing.”
The lyrics of “Pink Skies” include: “The kids are in town for a funeral / So pack the car and dry your eyes / I know they got plenty young blood left in ’em / And plenty nights under pink skies / You taught ’em to enjoy… / If you could see ’em now / You’d be proud / But you’d think they’s yuppies / Your funeral was beautiful / I bet god heard you coming.”
The song takes on a sadder tone when the band is stripped away, and Bryan sings it acoustically, as he did in an Instagram post back on April 18, when it was identified as “Elegy.”
Bryan’s recent activities also included commemorating the second anniversary of his breakthrough album, “American Heartbreak,” on May 20. He described that album as one that “changed my life forever.” “American Heartbreak” featured a massive 34 tracks. Since then, Bryan has kept his releases more economical in length but has continued to produce new music at a steady pace, catering to his fans’ seemingly insatiable appetite.
Currently, Bryan is on a sold-out tour, playing arenas and a few stadiums. Upcoming shows include a three-night stand at L.A.’s Crypto Arena starting June 2.
Australian fans won’t miss out on the Zach Bryan experience either. Warner Music Australia announced that listening parties for “The Great American Bar Scene” would be held across the east coast of the country. Three bars in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane will exclusively host these listening parties. Fans can head to The Golden Barley in Enmore, Sydney, Cherry Bar in Melbourne’s CBD, and the Greaser Bar in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, from 5 pm. Attendees will not only get to hear the record with the rest of the world but will also score a free drink.
Warner Music Australia shared the details in a social media post: “Warner Music Australia is putting down a bar tab in celebration of Zach Bryan’s new album ‘The Great American Bar Scene’. Come down for an hour at each of these bars from 5 pm on Thursday 4 July, to listen to the new album, connect with other fans and enjoy a beer on us. Just make the bar staff aware you’re there to listen to the album to claim your free drink!”
“The Great American Bar Scene” lands after months of teasers and the release of two new singles, “Purple Gas” and “Pink Skies.” On social media, Bryan revealed that the album would contain 16 songs and a poem, stating that his new music may be his best yet. He described the release as having the vibes of a “depressed and hopeful summer vacation.”
From June 24 onwards, Bryan has been visiting 23 bars across the US “that embody the spirit of American culture” to play “select cuts” from his upcoming album ahead of its release. Fans can pre-order “The Great American Bar Scene” now.
Source: Billboard, Variety
