In the past year, Zach Bryan has exploded onto the country scene with his raw folk-rock sound and poetic lyricism. Just weeks after the release of his self-titled album, Bryan suprised fans with his EP “Boys of Faith” on Sept. 22. Though this may seem like a poorly-timed move in terms of maximizing sales, Bryan has never been keen on following the rules of the music industry. This five-song EP highlights Bryan’s consistently remarkable songwriting abilities and classic country-folk sound that keeps fans, old and new, coming back for more.
The first track of the EP, titled “Nine Ball,” captures the point of view of a young boy whose father has a gambling and alcohol addiction. Bryan pulls on listeners’ heartstrings as he sings, “Won’t you take me fishing? And I want to try out / For the seventh-grade football team.” This song has both the classic country-folk style of Bryan’s discography and his vivid storytelling that captivates listeners and provides comfort for those who can relate.
The second track, titled “Sarah’s Place,” is my personal favorite and features alternative artist Noah Kahan. This song seamlessly combines both Bryan and Kahan’s signature styles, producing this indie-folk hit that’s already stuck in my head. The song seems like an open letter to an ex, as Bryan fondly reminisces on their time together while acknowledging the emptiness he feels in this place without her. This emptiness is explicit in the chorus of the song and truly brought to life when he sings, “And your picnic chair is just sittin’there in the yard.” While he grieves the loss, he also urges her to move on as he belts, “Don’t come back lover, I’m proud you’re under the skyline,” a line that I can already imagine crowds will be screaming during his next tour. Throughout the song, he insinuates that he’s not good enough for her, calling her “the better half of our good times.” Bryan encapsulates all of the mixed emotions that come with breakups, proving that the relatability of his songs is much of what makes them so adored.
Another favorite of mine, the title track “Boys of Faith,” features the indie folk band Bon Iver, whose signature melancholy and haunting sound is evident in this slower-paced song. Bryan sings with resounding emotion about the value of brotherhood and sticking with people through hard times. It’s easy to tell that Bryan truly appreciates the loyalty of those in his life when he shouts, “But you stuck around when I was down / And I’ll owe you all my days.” This song brings a new sound to Bryan’s discography that I really like, thanks to Bon Iver, and I would like to hear him continue to experiment with new sounds in future projects.
A previously unreleased fan-favorite, “Deep Satin,” reflects on a lonely and painful end to an exhilarating romance. This breakup track differs from “Sarah’s Place,” emitting more anger than nostalgia. Bryan is lost and defeated as he reflects on the failed relationship, asking, “When you see the lights, when you hear the rain / Is there a chance you’re thinkin’ of me?” He feels like he’s painted as the bad guy in the situation, comparing himself to a song they listened to, “Friend of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead. You can hear the frustration in his gravelly voice as he asks, “Is that just what your friends want me to be?” The slew of questions in the song suggests that he has things left unsaid with this ex. It’s clear that this track is a deep-cut since it certainly fits his original rugged folk sound that older fans fell in love with.
The closing track, “Pain, Sweet, Pain,” wraps up the EP with a message about fighting on during hard times and choosing to learn from the pain. Bryan compares this struggle to summiting a mountain, implying that there’s a reward on the other side of the battle. He starts off the song in desperation, singing, “I’ve been pinin’ and pinin’ for so damn long / Thinkin’ it’s about time someone else is strong.” As the song moves into the chorus, he becomes more encouraging as he sings, “You’re so tired, but the top is nigh / Keep on goin’, you’ll soon arrive.” However, he concludes the song with the same distraught lyrics he began it with, mirroring the three-word title, “Pain, Sweet, Pain,” in the structure of the song.
Bryan sticks to his sound and knows how to tell a thousand words with just one song. His lyrics have a way of perfectly describing a distant memory, like you’re living through one of the old photographs on his album covers. After several listens, I can conclude that “Boys of Faith” as a whole is about getting through rough patches, keeping faith, and coming out of it stronger. It’s Bryan’s message to listeners that everyone goes through hard times, but they don’t last forever.
Although Bryan is exploding in popularity, this EP is proof that he will never lose the authentic style and lyricism that made his fans, old and new, fall in love with his music in the first place.
