In a new conversation with Setlist FM for their Marquee Memories video series, Zac Brown candidly reflects on the challenge of crafting an album in a singles-oriented industry.

The ‘Chicken Fried’ hitmaker touches on how it feels like albums get pushed down the pecking order, due to shortening attention-spans and a dizzying amount of content.

Brown begins by discussing how proud he is of the band's latest album, Love & Fear, which arrived in December 2025, “I checked off a lot of boxes, a lot of bucket list things on this album. And I'm really, really proud of the music on there. I mean, I think there's some songs on there that are as good as any ones that we've ever written”.

He goes on to stress how, despite the various obstacles in today's landscape, he still believes in the importance of albums, “It's more challenging these days, because of the amount of content that people consume...and the duration of people's attention spans to get people to really digest an album. But you still gotta fight for it. Still gotta fight for it. Still gotta put yourself into everything. We don't mail things in”.

He concludes by citing his own tastes as the ultimate litmus test for new music, “We really try to make things as good as we can and exceed expectations. And I know if I get it to a point where I really love it, just as a fan of music, then that's really all I can do”.

Zac Brown Band's latest project certainly showcases the group's willingness to explore territory - both thematically and sonically - that few other country artists want to venture into.

But in doing so, the band demonstrate their love for the craft of making a complete album with an overarching narrative and subtle yet satisfying through-lines that all come together in a rousing crescendo. This was epitomised in their Sphere shows, in which Brown and his crew told the visceral story of the album.

Now, with Zac Brown Band kicking off their 2026 Love & Fear Tour, they provide another medium through which fans can connect with their latest body of work. In an era that is defined by chart-topping singles, streaming figures and TikTok views, it's undoubtedly refreshing to hear Brown's dedication to still putting his all into albums.