Album Review // Zach Bryan // The Great American Bar Scene

Belting Bronco Records / Warner Records

4/5 stars

Zach Bryan offers a tour of small-town sentimentality on The Great American Bar Scene.

Released less than a year after his Grammy award-winning self-titled record, the Oklahoman returns with its spiritual sibling. With a similar length, various features, and a poem opener, the two albums appear identical in format. However, what separates the records is their scope — with Bar Scene more grandiose in the scale of its lyrical journeys.

Bryan's ability to capture the essence of everyday experiences stands out sharply on this effort — his lyrics are poignant yet relatable, offering a vivid glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people. As the album's name implies, these narratives of hope and despair echo through dimly lit bars and quiet streets of dead and dying small-town America. While the best these areas have to offer is behind them, what remains resonates with undeniable candor and emotional truth. Under this pain are soothing folk guitars and lo-fi instrumental melodies to guide the listener along the ride.

The Great American Bar Scene is evocative in its commitment to its premise. While some stories stick better than others, the overall album delivery paints the picture of an America in mourning, finding its best self in the intimacy of small talk and empty bottles.