With Heaven on Top

With Heaven on Top
Studio album by
Zach Bryan
ReleasedJanuary 9, 2026 (2026-01-09)
Genres
Length78:16
Labels
ProducerZach Bryan
Zach Bryan chronology
24 (Live)
(2024)		 With Heaven on Top
(2026)
Singles from With Heaven on Top
  1. "Plastic Cigarette"
    Released: January 16, 2026
  2. "Say Why"
    Released: March 20, 2026

With Heaven on Top is the sixth studio album by American country music singer‑songwriter Zach Bryan. It was released on January 9, 2026, through Belting Bronco Records and Warner Music Group. The album was written and produced entirely by Bryan and contains 25 tracks (24 songs and one spoken poem). It is anticipated to be Bryan's final release with a major record label.[3]

The album was supported by two singles: "Plastic Cigarette" (January 16, 2026)[4] and "Say Why" (March 20, 2026).[5] With Heaven on Top debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 134,000 album-equivalent units, becoming Bryan's second chart‑topping album.[6]

Background

In February 2025, Bryan announced to Instagram that With Heaven on Top was scheduled for release, saying, "With Heaven On Top the EP is out sooner than not."[7]

Bryan released "Madeline" on July 18, 2025.[8] The song was announced for upcoming release a week prior via social media, in addition to the cover art being revealed.[9][10] "Madeline" had been anticipated to be the lead single from With Heaven on Top, however, when it was released, the song did not appear on the album.[11] Shortly following the release of the song, the cover artwork for With Heaven on Top was released to social media. Bryan also announced the album's scheduled release date.[12][13] While the album was initially anticipated to be an extended play, it was later announced to be a full-length studio album.[14] On January 8, 2026, the track listing to With Heaven on Top was announced. He also announced an acoustic version, which was released on January 12, 2026.

Reception

With Heaven on Top ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic74/100[15]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[1]
Clash8/10[16]
ConsequenceB+[17]
Paste7.8/10[18]
Pitchfork7.0/10[19]
Rolling Stone3.5/5[20]
The Michigan DailyB+[21]
The New Yorker(favorable)[2]

Critical

With Heaven on Top was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 74, based on six reviews.[15] Fred Thomas of AllMusic described the record as a "sprawling, 25-song collection that finds the songwriter expanding his country and Americana sound."[1] Julian Gandel of The Michigan Daily characterized it as an "alternative country album" that "mostly sticks to fairly standard instrumentation," awarding it a B+ grade.[21] Max Lipton of Paste noted the album's position within Bryan's evolution from "Springsteen-esque folk" toward more expansive sonic territory.[18] In The New Yorker, the critic described the album as "a shaggy record composed of twenty‑four songs (and one poem) about chasing peace of mind around the world." The review praised Bryan's "uncommonly stubborn" approach, noting that the recordings "evoke the blurry conviviality of a bar band at the moment between last call and lights on." While pointing out some repetitive moments (such as the word "miles" repeated 42 times), the review highlighted "Plastic Cigarette" as a standout, and called the title track "a benediction, sweetened with pedal steel, that is beautiful in a way much of Bryan's music is defiantly not." The piece also noted that Bryan released an acoustic version of the album days later, "which contains almost nothing but an acoustic guitar and Bryan's voice, demonstrating how little adornment his best songs need."[2]

Commercial

With Heaven on Top debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated January 24, 2026, earning 134,000 equivalent album units (including 127,000 from streaming, equating to 130.32 million on‑demand streams of the album's tracks). It marked Bryan's second No. 1 album, following his 2023 self‑titled release. The album also debuted at No. 1 on the Top Streaming Albums chart and No. 7 on Top Album Sales. A deluxe reissue on January 12, 2026, added 24 bonus acoustic tracks.[6]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Zach Bryan.[22]

With Heaven on Top track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Down, Down, Stream"1:59
2."Runny Eggs"3:52
3."Appetite"3:05
4."DeAnn's Denim"2:41
5."Say Why"2:24
6."Drowning"3:05
7."Santa Fe"2:54
8."Skin"2:55
9."Dry Deserts"2:31
10."Bad News"3:16
11."South and Pine"3:22
12."Cannonball"3:58
13."Slicked Back"3:51
14."Anyways"3:24
15."If They Come Lookin'"2:28
16."Rivers and Creeks"3:35
17."Plastic Cigarette"3:06
18."You Can Still Come Home"3:41
19."Aeroplane"2:20
20."Always Willin'"4:05
21."Miles"3:31
22."All Good Things Past"4:02
23."Camper"2:15
24."Sundown Girls"2:03
25."With Heaven on Top"3:53
Total length:78:16

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[22]

Musicians

  • Zach Bryan – lead vocals (all tracks), electric guitar (tracks 3, 6–10, 13), acoustic guitar (4–6, 11, 12, 16, 17, 21–25)
  • Noah Legros – electric guitar (2–7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 24, 25), background vocals (2)
  • Zephyr Avalon – bass (2, 3, 5–7, 9–13, 16, 18, 21, 22, 24), acoustic bass (4)
  • Keenan O'Meara – acoustic guitar (2, 3, 5–7, 9, 13), piano (7, 9, 10), background vocals (7, 9, 12, 16, 18, 22, 24)
  • Nate Head – drums (2, 3, 5–7, 9–11, 13, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25), tambourine (12)
  • Read Connolly – pedal steel guitar (2, 3, 5, 6, 8–10, 18, 22, 25), Dobro (16), banjo (22, 24)
  • William Werthimer – trumpet (2, 3, 5, 9–11, 13, 16, 18, 22, 25)
  • Heaven Schmitt – background vocals (3, 5–9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25)
  • Ana Monwah Lei – cello (3, 5–7, 9–12, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25)
  • Lucas Ruge-Jones – fiddle (3, 5, 6, 10–12, 18, 22, 24, 25), violin (7, 9, 16), background vocals (7, 9), mandolin (7)
  • Samantha Uzbay – viola (3, 5–7, 9–12, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25)
  • Hannah Cohen – violin (3, 5–7, 9–12, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25)
  • Andy McCormick – tenor saxophone (3, 5–7, 9, 10, 18, 22, 25)
  • Isaac Washam – trombone (3, 5–7, 9, 10, 18, 22, 25)
  • Austin Stunkard – trumpet (3, 5–7, 9, 10, 18, 22, 25)
  • Ryan Hatcher – trumpet (3, 5–7, 9, 10, 18, 22, 25)
  • Junior Carroll – piano (3, 5, 18, 22)
  • Sasha Ono – cello (3, 6, 9, 22, 25)
  • Jake Weinberg – electric guitar (4, 23), percussion (6, 9), acoustic guitar (8, 13, 17, 23), background vocals (8, 17, 24), bass (8), drums (17, 23); piano, synthesizer, Wurlitzer (23)
  • Scott Zhang – piano (4, 8, 11), organ (11); acoustic guitar, background vocals, bass (17)
  • Graham Bright – electric guitar (5)
  • Greg Fallis – trombone (5, 18, 22)
  • Gabe Wax – background vocals (7, 8, 17), drums (8, 23), baritone guitar (17), bass (23)
  • Chris Braun – electric guitar (8)

Technical

  • Zach Bryan – production
  • Gabe Wax – engineering (2–13, 16–18, 21–25), mixing (16, 17)
  • Jake Weinberg – engineering (2–13, 16–18, 21–25), mixing (16)
  • Scott Zhang – engineering (2–13, 16–18, 21, 22, 24, 25)
  • Colton Jean – engineering (8, 17, 23), engineering assistance (2–7, 9–13, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25)
  • Jacquire King – mixing (2–13, 18, 22–24)
  • Jacob Spitzer – mixing assistance (16)
  • Pete Lyman – mastering (2–13, 16–18, 21–23)

Charts

Chart performance for With Heaven on Top
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[23] 4
Australian Country Albums (ARIA)[24] 1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[25]49
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[26]109
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[27]1
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[28] 15
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[29] 39
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[30]20
French Physical Albums (SNEP)[31] 149
French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP)[32] 37
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[33] 30
Irish Albums (Official Charts)[34]1
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[35] 5
Norwegian Albums (IFPI Norge)[36] 5
Scottish Albums (Official Charts)[37]8
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 12
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[39]17
UK Albums (Official Charts)[40]3
UK Americana Albums (Official Charts)[41]1
UK Country Albums (Official Charts)[42]1
US Billboard 200[43]1
US Americana/Folk Albums (Billboard)[44]1
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[45]1
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)[46] 1

Certifications

Certifications for With Heaven on Top
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[47] Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Silver 60,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for With Heaven on Top
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various January 9, 2026 Original
[49]
January 12, 2026
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Acoustic [50]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Thomas, Fred. "With Heaven on Top – Zach Bryan". AllMusic. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Zach Bryan's Stubborn, Shaggy New Album". The New Yorker. January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  3. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (January 15, 2026). "Matthew McConaughey Helps Zach Bryan Tease His 'Final Major-Label Album' and a Film". Uproxx. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ Fagioli, Roberto (January 13, 2026). "Plastic Cigarette - Zach Bryan". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  5. ↑ Fagioli, Roberto (March 17, 2026). "Say Why - Zach Bryan". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Zach Bryan's 'With Heaven on Top' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. January 18, 2026. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  7. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (July 18, 2025). "Zach Bryan Gives A Long-Awaited New Project A Release Date And Shares 'Madeline'". Uproxx. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ Mier, Tomás (July 18, 2025). "Zach Bryan Sings a Melancholic Duet With Gabriella Rose on 'Madeline'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  9. ↑ Humphrey, Jack (July 12, 2025). "Zach Bryan To Release New Song 'Madeline' Next Week". Country Central. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  10. ↑ Eaton, Quinn (July 13, 2025). "Zach Bryan Confirms New Single "Madeline" Will Be Out This Week". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  11. ↑ Mower, Maxim (September 24, 2025). "'Madeline' by Zach Bryan & Gabriella Rose – Lyrics & Meaning". Holler. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  12. ↑ Humphrey, Jack (July 18, 2025). "Zach Bryan Reveals New Project 'With Heaven On Top'". Country Central. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ Mower, Maxim (July 18, 2025). "Zach Bryan Confirms Release Date for Long-Awaited 'With Heaven on Top' Project". Holler. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  14. ↑ Eggleston, Jennifer (December 24, 2025). "Zach Bryan Previews 21-Track Album 'With Heaven On Top' for Jan. 9 Release". Backstage Country. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for With Heaven On Top". Metacritic. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ Murray, Robin (January 9, 2026). "Zach Bryan – With Heaven On Top". Clash. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  17. ↑ Graves, Wren (January 10, 2026). "Zach Bryan Maps America's Restless Heart on With Heaven on Top: Review". Consequence. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  18. 1 2 Lipton, Max (January 13, 2026). "Zach Bryan: With Heaven on Top Review". Paste. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  19. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (January 13, 2026). "Zach Bryan: With Heaven on Top / With Heaven on Top (Acoustic) Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  20. ↑ Dolan, Jon (January 9, 2026). "Zach Bryan Swings Bigger Than Ever on 'With Heaven on Top'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  21. 1 2 Gandel, Julian (February 18, 2026). "Review: Zach Bryan offers musical resolution on 'With Heaven on Top'". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "With Heaven On Top / Zach Bryan / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  23. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  24. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Country Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Zach Bryan – With Heaven on Top" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Zach Bryan – With Heaven on Top" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Lista prodaje 12. tjedan 2026" [Sales list week 12, 2026] (in Croatian). HDU. March 31, 2026. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Album Top-40 Uge 2, 2026". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Zach Bryan – With Heaven on Top" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Top Albums Physiques (Semaine du 27 mars 2026)" (in French). Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Top Rock & Metal Albums (Semaine du 23 janvier 2026)" (in French). Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2026. 13. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Official Irish Albums Chart on 16/1/2026 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Official Top 40 Albums". Recorded Music NZ. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Album 2026 uke 03". IFPI Norge. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 27/3/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Veckolista Album, vecka 3, 2026". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Zach Bryan – With Heaven on Top". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Official Albums Chart on 16/1/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Official Americana Albums Chart on 16/1/2026 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart on 23/1/2026 – Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Top Rock & Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Zach Bryan – With Heaven on Top". Music Canada. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  48. ↑ "British album certifications – Zach Bryan – With Heaven on Top". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 9, 2026. Select albums in the Formats field. Type With Heaven on Top Zach Bryan in the "Search:" field.
  49. ↑ Paul, Larisha (January 9, 2026). "Zach Bryan's New Album 'With Heaven on Top' Is Here". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  50. ↑ Roundtree, Cheyenne (January 12, 2026). "Zach Bryan Releases Acoustic Version of With Heaven on Top So He Doesn't 'Have to Hear Everyone Whine'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
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