Zach Bryan: American Heartbreak

Zach Bryan's "American Heartbreak": A Vinyl Retrospective

Zach Bryan, the sooner state singer-songwriter, made his major label debut with "American Heartbreak" on Warner Records in 2022. Following the trend of many contemporary country artists, Bryan delivered this ambitious project as a three-vinyl record set containing 34 songs. While the album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, it never climbed higher, though it did produce the top ten single "Something in the Orange."

The Vinyl Verdict
Mastered by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound and pressed by Optimal Media, this three-record collection comes housed in a single-sleeve jacket. All three records arrived perfectly flat and centered, showing none of the manufacturing issues that often plague mass-produced releases. The initial needle drop revealed virtually zero surface noise—an impressive feat for a multi-record set.

The mastering and audio quality are outstanding, creating an immersive listening experience from start to finish. The soundstage feels vibrant and expansive, with Bryan's vocals rendered with crystal clarity. There's no trace of sibilance anywhere on the pressing, allowing his warm, rich vocal performance to shine through unimpeded.

The only shortcoming worth noting is the packaging. A release of this magnitude deserves a gatefold or trifold jacket rather than the somewhat flimsy single sleeve. This would have elevated the physical presentation to match the sonic quality.

The listening experience itself is nothing short of remarkable. Bryan's intimate performances create the illusion that he's in the room with you, strumming his guitar just a few feet away. The warm, lush sound reproduction makes this pressing an essential addition to any country vinyl collection. 💰

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