Bon Iver; Zach Bryan.Photo:WireImage; Erika Goldring/WireImage
WireImage; Erika Goldring/WireImage
Rising country-rock starZach Bryanjust released the ultimate collaboration in time for fall.
The singer-songwriter, 27, released the five-song EPBoys of Faith(via Warner Records) on Friday, just several weeks after dropping his self-titled albumZach Bryan. On the title track, he teamed up with fellow indie folk starBon Iver, 42, for the first time.
An autumnal Americana song, the two singer’s hearty voices sprawl over strings, piano and affecting percussion as they mine their nostalgia for old friends and relationships. As both the “Dawns” singer and the “Hey, Ma” artist (whose real name is Justin Vernon) are known for their potent lyrics, it’s the kind of song that’ll make you reflect on your own friends who’ve “stuck around” and faded away, too.
Bon Iver; Zach Bryan.WireImage; Erika Goldring/WireImage
“But you stuck around when I was down / And I’ll owe you all my days / Them boys of faith / Them boys of faith,” the two sing together as the track picks up.
On the chorus they sing: “High tide has been risin' up / I’ve been gettin' up with some boys I used to know / We’re tryin' to get our pockets up / This year has just been movin' f—in' slow.”
Bryan also collaborated with another breakout Americana talent on the EP:Noah Kahan. The cult-loved artists worked together on the track “Sarah’s Place.”
While “Boys of Faith” marks the Oklahoma artist’s first time working with Bon Iver, he’s been a noted fan of the Grammy winner for years. Back in 2016, heshared a coverof the Wisconsin singer’s hit song “Skinny Love” and has tweeted several times about how much he loves his music.
In 2017, he called Bon Iver’s “Heavenly Father” “one of the most beautiful songs ever made” with apost on X(formerly known as Twitter). He also sung his praises of the song “Towers,”writing, “I wish I’d of come up with it.”
Zach Bryan ‘Boys of Faith’ EP.Courtesy of Warner Records
Courtesy of Warner Records
The “Something in the Orange” singer began teasing theBoys of FaithEP, which features a photo from his family archives as cover art, on Monday. He previewed songson Instagramand wrote about the writing process in the caption.
He shared: “Locked myself in a studio all week, wrote myself through a notebook, walked around with people I love in the city then went campin, felt restful and hopeful, thankful for breathing no matter the day, just grateful.”
“thank you to @boniver and @noahkahanmusic,” the country music star added. “them boys of faith”
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Boys of Faithfollows the Aug. 25 release of Bryan’s acclaimed fourth studio albumZach Bryan. The record went No. 1 on theBillboard 200, as well as the top spots on the Country, Rock & Alternative, Americana/Folk, and Rock album charts.
His album track“I Remember Everything”withKacey Musgravessimultaneously reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
source: people.com
