Zach Bryan has cemented his place as one of country music’s most raw and relatable voices, blending folk, Americana, and heartfelt storytelling. His latest release, With Heaven On Top, dropped on January 9, 2026, via Warner Records, marking his sixth studio album. This sprawling 25-track project follows his 2024 effort The Great American Bar Scene and dives deep into themes of heartbreak, personal growth, sobriety, memory, and even societal issues like immigration (notably in the track “Bad News,” which references ICE). Recorded quickly and intimately, the album has already racked up massive streams—over 13 million on its first day on U.S. Spotify alone—proving Bryan’s enduring appeal. But as with any ambitious release, opinions are divided. In this Zach Bryan With Heaven On Top review, we’ll explore why some fans love it, why others hate it, and share our take on why it merits a little trashing compared to his earlier work.
Why Some People Love With Heaven On Top
Bryan’s fans often praise his vulnerability and songwriting prowess, and With Heaven On Top delivers on that front in spades. The album feels like a personal diary set to music, with Bryan wrestling with his messy past, recent breakups, and life’s restless journeys. Tracks like “Santa Fe,” “Slicked Back,” “Plastic Cigarette,” and the title track “With Heaven On Top” stand out for their nostalgic, emotionally rich melodies and vivid storytelling. Reviewers have called it his most ambitious project yet, blending gentle acoustics with reflective lyrics that honor the past while pushing forward.
One of the album’s strengths is its intimacy—Bryan recorded it swiftly, leaving in raw elements that make it feel unguarded and timeless. Fans on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have shared how it evokes personal memories, grief, and longing, almost like a therapeutic walk through one’s own life. For instance, songs such as “Cannonball” and “Appetite” are hailed as devastatingly beautiful, showcasing Bryan’s trademark mix of grit and tenderness. It’s comforting yet absorbing, with strong, mature lyricism that resonates deeply. Even amid criticisms of overproduction, Bryan preemptively released a solo acoustic version on January 12, 2026, stripping it back to its essence for purists. If you’re a fan of his honest, stripped-back style seen in hits like “I Remember Everything,” this album amplifies that emotional depth, making it a must-listen for country enthusiasts seeking something real in 2026.
Why Some People Hate With Heaven On Top
Not everyone is on board with Bryan’s latest. The primary gripe? Bloat. At 25 tracks, the album is his longest yet, and critics argue it suffers from a lack of variety and editing. Some tracks feel repetitive or filler-like, diluting the impact of the stronger ones. Publications like Stereogum noted that while the sound is “always pleasant,” it can come across as background music—fine for washing dishes but not always gripping. The sprawling nature leads to moments where the energy dips, especially compared to more concise projects.
Then there’s the content. Bryan doesn’t shy away from controversy, addressing exes in scathing diss tracks and tackling hot-button issues like immigration in “Bad News.” This has rubbed some the wrong way, with accusations of it feeling messy or overly personal, bordering on tabloid fodder. His recent personal life— including a New Year’s Eve wedding and past relationships—bleeds into the lyrics, which some see as indulgent rather than insightful. On review sites like Album of the Year, users point out that while the songwriting is solid, the sheer volume of songs makes it exhausting, lacking the tight focus of his breakthrough works. Detractors also mention a perceived shift toward more polished production, prompting Bryan to drop that acoustic redo as a defensive move. In short, for those who prefer concise, high-energy country, this album’s length and introspection can feel like a slog.
Our Opinion: Why With Heaven On Top Deserves to Be Trashed a Little Compared to His Other Albums
Look, With Heaven On Top is far from a bad album—it’s got heart, killer melodies, and that signature Bryan authenticity that keeps him at the top of the charts. But compared to his discography, it deserves a bit of gentle trashing for not quite hitting the highs of his earlier gems. Albums like DeAnn (2019) and Elisabeth (2020) were raw, lo-fi masterpieces born from Bryan’s Navy days, recorded on a laptop with unfiltered emotion that felt like lightning in a bottle. Even the epic American Heartbreak (2022), with its 34 tracks, had a hungry, underdog energy that made the length feel justified, packed with anthems like “Something in the Orange.”
Here, the 25-song runtime feels bloated, with some tracks (“Deann’s Denim,” “Miles”) blending into the background amid repetition. It’s ambitious, sure, but it lacks the variety and punch of Zach Bryan (2023) or the barroom grit of The Great American Bar Scene. The production, while pleasant, sometimes smooths out the edges that made his early work so compelling—hence the quick acoustic pivot. In our view, Bryan shines brightest when he’s concise and unpolished; this one spreads itself too thin, turning what could be a tight 15-track stunner into an endurance test. It’s still worth a spin for the highlights, but if you’re new to Zach Bryan, start with his older stuff to see why this one, while good, doesn’t quite reach heaven.
