Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan is breaking barriers with his country meets singer-songwriter stylings that have already topped the charts and won him over a global legion of fans. “Something In The Orange” was undoubtedly one of the biggest songs of 2022, and it has lingered on to become even bigger in 2023. Now the US Navy veteran has released his self-titled fourth studio album with 16 brand-new songs that feel just as anthemic, vulnerable and cathartic as his previous body’s of work. With no singles released in the lead up to this record, there was a lot of anticipation to what direction he would go in. After a first listen it’s safe to say this is prominently a singer-songwriter record. This is all about the storytelling and the beautiful melodies that he’s created while out on the road. It feels poignant, reflective and intimate while also feeling grand, anthemic and expansive. 

With some special collaborations on the record, he teams up with Kacey Musgraves for the lead single “I Remember Everything”. The reflective song has smooth harmonies that will capture you with lyrics like; “You only smile like that when you’re drinkin’. I wish I didn’t, but I do remember every moment on the nights with you”. And then you’ve got The Lumineers on “Spotless” which comes in at just under three minutes but impressive with two strong vocal deliveries effortlessly coming together. The determination anthem is all about working together to fix a broken situation and aide each other. “If you wanna leave this, that’s okay. Everything meant to be is bound to stay” they sing. Sierra Ferrell and The War And Treaty also feature on the record, as well as so many beautiful standalone Zach Bryan moments like “Jake’s Piano – Long Island” which is simultaneously one of the most soothing and heartbreaking songs on the record. Exploring the depths of grief, he brings you into his inner monologue and has you feeling all of the heaviness with him. “And, Lord, I’ve been tryin’ to smile like you told me. Laugh like the old me, it comes out all wrong. The best parts of you are here, but you’re still gone” he sings. 

This is truly one of the most special and impressive records of the year. It’s one that is going to over-time win people over and captivate them with his vivid imagery and incredible vocals. Zach Bryan is truly one of the greats emerging right now, and you would be silly to not get on board already.

MUST LISTEN TRACKS: Jake’s Piano – Long Island, Spotless, El Dorado

Foley – Crowd Pleaser

Ahead of their appearances at BIGSOUND and SXSW Sydney, New Zealand pop duo Foley have unleashed their anthemic and bold debut album “Crowd Pleaser”. This record has been a long time coming for the duo who have been spinning out banger after banger and impressing audiences with their energetic live shows. As an entire body of work they’ve captured this electric energy that pulsates like a heartbeat within the songs. It’s upbeat, ambitious, and cathartic. Opening with new single “What Got Into You” they deliver you a sonical punch with sirens blaring and an infectious groove shining through the riff. As they steer into the remaining nine songs the energy only dims for the soft “Heal My Heart” and the sensual closing track “On The Rocks”. The record as a whole is a bouncy body of work that is reminiscent of “Future Nostalgia” with its disco elements and its smooth melodies that will undoubtedly get stuck in your head. 

MUST LISTEN TRACKS: What Got Into You, Killing Me Babe, Visualise 

BABY GRAVY – BABY GRAVY 3

Yung Gravy and bbno$ both singularly know how to have a viral moment and create chart topping songs, but the power of them together is legitimately unstoppable. Their joint project Baby Gravy is every bit of ridiculousness and brilliance that you could imagine, and the third instalment “BABY GRAVY 3” is a euphoric body of work. This record is pure fun. And there’s honestly no other way to describe it than “fun”. Opening with “No Way Jose” with lyrics like “Shawty broke my dick, playing Whac-A-Mole. I’ma gladiate the coochie, like I’m Russel Crowe”, they set the tone for the rest of the record. The groovy guitar riff and aesthetic synths of “Super Smash Bros.” will have you in full disco era, while the trap inspired “back 2 back 2 back” with its Soulja Boy reference will have you immediately obsessed. From start to finish it’s an easy listen that doesn’t hold back from being completely bonkers as well as lyrically calculated. 

MUST LISTEN TRACKS: Goodness Gracious, No Way Jose, Super Smash Bro’s.