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Zach Bryan's new EP, Young Manhood & Other Donatable Organs, is as eclectic as it is enchanting, with Bryan once again showcasing why his post-album EPs hold a special place in the hearts of his loyal fans. Across the eight-song project, Bryan reminds us that he's never afraid to push himself both sonically and lyrically.
Conceptually, the EP revolves around the idea of killing your old self - as Bryan conveys through the striking artwork - with each song weaving together to create a rich, thought-provoking tapestry. Every track is indispensible in telling the overarching story.
But even so, some resonate stronger than others, some left-field turns are refreshing while others feel too jarring, and some hooks are tailor-made for stadiums while others fall flat. With this in mind, having now spent time with the record, we rank the eight songs on Young Manhood & Other Donatable Organs, from worst to best.
8. Plainsman (with Turnpike Troubadours)
It's a shame to have this collaboration in eighth, especially given how it feels like a full-circle moment for Bryan, who has been paying tribute to and even writing about Turnpike Troubadours since the start of his career. There are some welcome cries of steel, the ‘Lorrie’ name-drop is a lovely easter egg for die-hard Turnpike fans, and Bryan and Evan Felker's vocals generally complement one another.
But the delivery in the hook - especially when they dip into a brief falsetto - feels like a strange choice, and makes the song a little grating on the third and fourth listen.
Being ranked eighth out of eight great songs is still respectable, but given how long fans of both Bryan and Turnpike have been waiting for this link-up, it's a tad disappointing.
7. Is The Blue Tangled In You?
Although packed with poetic imagery and references to the likes of Bob Dylan, Little Feat and John Coltrane, at its heart, ‘Is The Blue Tangled In You?’ feels like it's simply about the unique power of music to meet us where we are when we're struggling.
The composition is ambitious, with much of the song feeling more akin to an emo-rock ballad than a country-folk track. You have to admire Bryan being adventurous here, and the home-video recording brings an extra sense of personality, but ultimately it comes across as a little too moody and grungy to really land.
6. Robot Killed The Working Man
Setting the tone from the outset with a galvanising speech from famed wrestler about working men being replaced by computers, ‘Robot Killed The Working Man’ underlines that Bryan hasn't been deterred from speaking his mind after the ‘Bad News’ furore.
The hook is compelling and there are some astute observations in here. But in a world where every second conversation seems to be about AI, the premise feels a little trite and obvious for an artist that prides himself on his cryptic and enigmatic songwriting.
5. You’ll Get By
A stellar way to close out the record, ‘You'll Get By’ is a soulful, stripped-back meditation on hope and faith. Bryan always shines against a more intimate backdrop like this, while the layered vocals add an extra sense of warmth and cushioning throughout.
It's an unassuming gem that works perfectly as a gentle finale, even if, when up against other, more uptempo offerings, its undulating chorus gets a little overshadowed by the likes of ‘Dog Days’, ‘Lodi When’ and ‘Backwards’. But a beautiful ode nonetheless.
4. Dog Days
Opening this song with a clip from The Place Beyond The Pines gives it an added sense of gravitas, before we get a slightly weird bass-line accompanying Bryan's intro. Thankfully, the rest of the instrumental quickly kicks in, and Bryan is able to showcase his vocal versatility with the half-roared start of the hook.
A rousing, defiant battle-cry in the mould of ‘Revival’, this one will sound fantastic live next year.
3. Lodi When
After a haunting, ethereal opening that feels reminiscent of Bryan's Boys of Faith era, ‘Lodi When’ quickly grows into a barroom sing-a-long. Bryan is joined by a sleek set of harmonies, with the song building steam as he approaches the rousing crescendo.
A powerful, nostalgic hook, eye-catching production and candid lyricism - it's Bryan at his best. The only slight element that lets it down is the tepid bridge, with Bryan's vocals struggling to cut through after the heavy production on the rest of the song.
2. Backwards
Pivoting around a clever image of Bryan feeling as though he's ‘walking backwards’ through life, as he keeps his eyes fixed on his past while doing his best to keep moving forwards, ‘Backwards’ feels like the most autobiographical offering on the EP.
It finds Bryan wrestling candidly with regrets and betrayals, before touching on the happier space he now finds himself in. Aside from being striking in how open Bryan is in the lyrics, ‘Backwards’ also features one of the strongest hooks on the EP.
1. Lies (with Lana Del Rey)
The most surprising of the bunch, ‘Lies’ with Lana Del Rey is a wonderfully intricate and understated gem. It's delivered almost entirely alongside nothing more than an atmospheric set of keys, while Bryan and Lana's sinuous hook is the perfect balance of heartbreaking and addictive. Lana's forays into country music have so far been underwhelming, but here, the pop phenom's penchant for melancholic, drawn-in compositions is the perfect addition to elevate this into a visceral ballad.
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