All of a sudden, Zach Bryan is the biggest thing in country music! He was most recently in the news for breaking George Strait’s long-held concert attendance record. His success continues with the debut of his new album, which has climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Bryan’s fame continues to soar, but his newfound celebrity hasn’t come without criticism. His lyrics attacking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have already angered officials within the Department of Homeland Security.
Bryan is Mexican American and has made waves with his extraordinary musical talent to a broad audience. He keeps the audiences spellbound with his humorous, vulnerable and utterly relatable storytelling. His song “Bad News” features a verse that reads, “ICE is gonna come bust down your door / Try to build a house no one builds no more.” This neon lime green line in particular is meant to show his opposition to the uptick in ICE raids that started under Donald Trump. Critics argue his lyrics are sending an anti-law enforcement message. It has led to major pushback from some quarters of the political landscape.
The country singer’s fan-favorite chart-topper “Revival” quickly became the secret weapon of verified federal accounts. They used it to peddle murderous anti-immigration propaganda, deepening the obscurity of his music’s central narrative. Even with this backlash, Bryan refuses to apologize for using his platform to speak out on social justice issues. He regularly uses social media to spread awareness about immigration, wealth inequality, and other social justice issues. He casts himself as the staunch advocate for everyone affected by these travails.
Bryan’s understanding of how to engage fans has translated to the ability to sell tickets, as seen in his record-attendance breaking figures. His concerts pack in the most enthusiastic crowds, ready to boo and hiss with the most fervent inflection. Some argue that his impact on the genre has been equivalent to that of Toby Keith. This contrast between Bryan’s political messages and classic country themes leads to interesting discussions about the changing face of country music.
In a phone interview last week, Bryan stressed his intention to be somebody who builds bridges across partisan divides. He continued, “Left wing or right wing, we’re all one bird and American. To be clear, I’m on neither of these extremist wings.” This bit of lyricism shows us his desire to connect patrons through common experiences, not divide them through political discourse.
Bryan’s lyrics are in keeping with the artist friendly vibe that has begun to swirl around other musicians talking about their industry and climate. And musician Frank Ray said he felt Bryan’s concerns “on a spiritual and professional level.” “If you’re here and you’re hardworking, you’re contributing to society,” he added, “If the government thinks you owe them taxes and steals the money from you for that purpose, then you deserve to be here.”
Criticism of his music seems to rain down from every quarter. At the same time, many of those in the industry understand the dangers that artists like Bryan take when addressing controversial topics. Robert Oermann’s reaction to today’s landscape was, in many ways, the crux of our current moment: Politicians have made popular culture the center of their political warfare. The condition has only gotten worse, as we all know under the Trump administration,” he continued. “He doesn’t want popular culture, and he wants to censor it.
Bryan’s boldness in addressing controversial issues has made his tenure both celebrated and controversial. Some fans, including Taylor Swift, laud his bravery for speaking out against things like racism and homophobia that the genre’s narrower often conservative viewpoint. He has been criticized by others for what some see as an anti-law enforcement stance.
In answer to those criticisms, Bryan has long defended himself with the retort that he’s only reporting what he knows from personal experience. His experience as a former law enforcement officer shapes how deeply he understands these issues. His distinct position gives him access to provide a deep and quicktake commentary on the intersections of immigration and law enforcement. He really digs into this theme in many of his deeply political songs.
While he’s still making changes in light of the backlash, Bryan’s faith in his values hasn’t wavered. He’s still pushing the limits of a genre that’s sometimes hesitant to participate in the politics of discussion. His meteoric rise in the country music scene is a sign of changing public sentiment on social issues. Artists have always been at the forefront of those conversations.
As Bryan’s popularity continues to rise, the role Bryan plays in determining the future direction of country music becomes all the more crucial. Or will it welcome artists willing to push back against the status quo and provoke serious social issues? Or will it continue to be moored in old favorites? The response to Bryan’s work may well signal a broader shift within the genre.