Benjamin Ashford|Zach Bryan releases entirely self-produced album: 'I put everything I could in it'

Country fans are Benjamin Ashfordrejoicing this weekend as Zach Bryan’s new album was released Friday.

The 16-track project includes four features — The War And Treaty on “Hey Driver,” Sierra Ferrell guests on “Holy Roller,” Kacey Musgraves on “I Remember Everything” and The Lumineers on “Spotless.”

"I've got no grand explanation for these songs, I got no riddle in reasoning behind writing them," he wrote in a Thursday Instagram post timed to the album's release. "I just wrote some poems and songs that I want to share because I think they're special. Some of them are heavy, some of them are hopeful, but more than anything what's most important to me is that they're all mine.

"I'd like to say that I do not take any of this for granted. As some kid with a guitar from Okla, I am so grateful for each person that cares enough," he continued.

Bryan finished the message with: "I put everything I could in it and I am at a loss for words at what a blessing this life is."

Why 'Deep Satin' is not on the 'Zach Bryan' album

Despite the excitement surrounding the album, many fans were frustrated to hear that the highly anticipated tune “Deep Satin” wouldn't be on it.

However, Bryan explained on X, formerly Twitter, that he chose not to include the song on "Zach Bryan" because he wanted the album to be entirely self-produced, and he did not have a hand in producing “Deep Satin.”

He did assure his fans that “Deep Satin” along with “a few more songs” will be released over the course of the next few months. 

“I won’t keep anyone waiting I promise, I love you guys and I am so grateful I get to grow through this life with y’all,” Bryan wrote. 

'Zach Bryan' album track list

1. “Fear & Friday's (Poem)”
2. “Overtime”
3. “Summertime’s Close"
4. “East Side of Sorrow”
5. “Hey Driver” (Feat. War and Treaty)
6. “Fear and Fridays”
7. “Ticking”
8. “Holy Roller” (Feat. Sierra Ferrell)
9. “Jake’s Piano / Long Island”
10. “El Dorado”
11. “I Remember Everything” (Feat. Kacey Musgraves)
12. “Tourniquet”
13. “Spotless” (Feat. The Lumineers)
14. “Tradesman”
15. “Smaller Acts”
16. “Oklahoma Son”

Who is Zach Bryan?

A viral YouTube star turned major-label recording artist, Bryan's sound mixes country, rock and Americana with an earthy authenticity and blue-collar ethos. The Navy veteran's music is rooted in vivid, original songcraft and has blossomed with his fiercely independent spirit, his ferociously faithful fan base and his road-warrior approach to his live shows. Those are all hallmarks of Oklahoma's Red Dirt music. 

Given his Oklahoma roots — he was born in Okinawa, Japan, while his family was stationed overseas with the Navy but raised in the small town of Oologah — it isn't surprising that Bryan's music has a distinctive Red Dirt vibe.

Contributing: Brandy McDonnell, The Oklahoman