it might

Without listening to Zach, I'm pretty sure his output better than golden hour, which is like the pinnacle of shit

but we will see!

Album Rating: 3.5

Really does seem to be a thing with extra long albums this year. I guess I’ll just have to adjust my listening habits and mindsets for this one. Definitely seems like a very “Gen Z” approach to this genre which is interesting in and of itself. Should check DeAnn because I believe that one’s a more typical country length. I just think with styles like his that are so lyrically oriented that shorter is almost always better because I prefer to be able to listen lots of times to connect with each track, 34 individual songs is just information overload but I can kind of get behind the idea of it being intended to be listened to in pieces/almost as a background to whatever you have going on and you can pick and choose for yourself what moments stand out or let different ones speak to you at different times. I say all this having not even listened yet though lol.

34 country songs sounds like the aural equivalent of waterboarding

pika is a perfect angel quit hatin' colton !

Pika does things and says he doesn't for a laff, that's just how he do

Album Rating: 4.0

"34 country songs sounds like the aural equivalent of waterboarding"



One would think, but somehow this was pleasant all the way through

Album Rating: 3.5

I gave American Heartbreak a full listen this morning and my reaction was close to what I expected. Certainly way too much material to be able to process in a single focused sitting but I appreciate that there is a solid amount of variety between acoustic and electric tracks. I tried to note standout tracks while listening like Sowing did but kept getting distracted. The guy is definitely a solid songwriter and an emotive singer - I think the best 10-12 tracks whittled down could easily be a strong 4 or higher even. If I can manage a few more (broken up) full listens I might attempt to make that abridged version myself. For all I know that’s his goal (and honestly if it were so that would be a really neat concept, “I’m going to release a ton of songs and let you customize your own album” - has anyone ever explicitly done that?).

A side note - I looked at this album and noticed a couple songs (“Anita - Part Two” and “Elisabeth”) are currently unplayable and I did some digging - appears he split with his wife and removed all evidence of her from social media including those two songs (or at least the latter).

Album Rating: 5.0

I've had American Heartbreak playing on repeat the last 2 days and I can't get over how well it flows for its length. Every time I try to think of a way to make it more digestible it ends up feeling like I'm cheating myself out of something valuable. I really don't know how he did it.



@Boney: I posted the above simultaneously with your post oops. After reading what you said I definitely think it's possible to extract "the best" 10-12 songs and make a perfect LP, although I think in this case everyone's top 10-12 would be different. I also really agree that the concept of releasing a huge batch of songs and letting the listener whittle it down is really cool. Most artists do that themselves but why not leave it up to the fans? Also, I bought the album before he scrubbed those tracks, so if you ever want them I can send them to you (assuming they're not floating around on YouTube or something...)

Album Rating: 4.0

The process was probably more gradual than it seems but I feel like he was still underground when this album dropped and suddenly he's huge

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah, him having 5 million monthly Spotify listeners is crazy, that’s more than practically any modern country act I like barring Chris Stapleton. Good for him.

Album Rating: 5.0

I'm still working through all the lyrics on the new one, a ton to digest and a lot to write about

Album Rating: 5.0

Looking forward to reading your take on it tyman

I would boot Whiskey Fever and If She Wants a Cowboy

Album Rating: 3.5

I remember enjoying Whiskey Fever. Cowboy is the meme-y one making fun of modern radio country right? If so that one can be booted for sure.

Album Rating: 5.0

I like Whiskey Fever even though it leans a little too far into yeehaw territory. I like Cowboy specifically because it's meme-y and makes fun of modern country radio. If Luke Bryan or one of those types of assfucks released that same song unironically it'd probably shoot to the top of the charts.

Album Rating: 3.5

It wasn't bad for what it was. I'd much rather listen to "I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby" though ;-P

Speaking of which, have you heard the CMAT album, Sowing?

Album Rating: 5.0

I did, and I thought it was...good not great. It seemed heartfelt but also in need of something. Maybe a jolt of energy, maybe more variation between tracks, not entirely sure. I listened like exactly one time though. If I recall I just felt like her voice wasn't very distinct. Still a solid 3/3.5 so I should revisit a few times before I drop my ratings in December.

Album Rating: 3.5

Fair enough take there. Perhaps it goes without saying but give the lyrics more focus if you do revisit CMAT; even with stuff like Ethel Cain I'd say that album still has my favorite (or at least the most quotable) lyrics of the year.

Album Rating: 5.0

I probably didn't listen to the lyrics that much so that's good to know. I'll try again at some point for sure. You're at least the third person to recommend that album to me this year.

Album Rating: 5.0

I love the satire of If She Wants a Cowboy