In 2019, a sailor named Zach Bryan recorded a song called “Heading South” outside his U.S. Navy barracks. The song went viral, racking up more than 30 million streams on Spotify. Cultivating a dedicated online following, the Oklahoma alt-country artist went mainstream with his 2022 breakthrough hit “Something in the Orange.” This kicked off Bryan’s meteoric rise to fame, spawning three No. 1 hits and 24 Top 10 singles. Today (Friday, July 18), the “Pink Skies” crooner, 29, finally revealed when fans will get the follow-up to last year’s highly-acclaimed The Great American Bar Scene.
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Zach Bryan Has a New Album Coming Next Year
Zach Bryan will release his sixth studio album, With Heaven On Top, on Jan. 9, 2026. On Instagram, the Grammy-winning artist shared a photo of what appeared to be the album cover, showing him kneeling alongside his chocolate Labrador, Jack Daniels, beside a tree-lined pond.
“You know how many blackout 6AMs is between now and January 9th? We finna get some good music boys!!!” declared one fan on Instagram. “Let’s go ZB.”
For others, the record can’t come fast enough. “Album? We gotta wait six months?” another Instagram user despaired.
“Wake me up when December ends,” added another.
Hours earlier, Bryan released a new song, “Madeline,” featuring Gabriella Rose. As the font on the With Heaven on Top cover art matches that of “Madeline,” it’s reasonable to assume this is the album’s lead single.
[RELATED: Zach Bryan Releases Three New Songs: “Just Releasing Them To Get Them Out”]
Is This It?
Referring to Quittin’ Time on multiple occasions as his last tour ever, all signs seemed to point to Zach Bryan leaving the music industry behind. Last November, the “Revival” hitmaker announced he was quitting touring to pursue a masters degree in Paris.
However, the shows have continued in 2025, as have the songs. Despite previously billing his latest project as his final major label album, Variety reported in May that Bryan had inked a blockbuster deal with Warner Records for at least two more albums.
In a separate deal, the “I Remember Everything” singer sold his publishing catalog to the Merrit Group, helmed by former Warner Bros. Records CEO Cameron Strang. The ACM-winning artist reportedly stood to gain $350 million from both transactions.
Featured image by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
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