By Rory McNelley, Head Copy Editor 

Zach Bryan is one of few artists who spares his listeners the anticipation of a new album. His new EP, “Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs” was released last Friday containing eight songs.  

“Lodi When,” a classic Bryan love song, contains a balance of yearning lyrics and a commentary on Bryan’s struggles. Lyrics like “You’ll live forever in my head” and “If you could write a book about the man you once were / would you write about drinking or would you write about her” connect to love and relationships and lyrics like “Would you write of the pain boy or would you write the cure” and “Just to find out you can’t save yourself” connect to the mental health struggles that are frequently found in Bryan’s songs.   

Much of Bryan’s success comes from his country folk melodies and relatable lyrics. “Lodi When” is relatable to those who are heartbroken, those in pain or both.  

Though many of Bryan’s love songs surround heartbreak, “You’ll Get By” is a welcoming change in his sound. The song features lyrics like advice and personal lessons. The positive phrase, you’ll get by, echoes the attitude portrayed in the song.  

Lyrics like, “So be kind when it ain’t easy / Don’t let vices in too deep / And call up your mama / When you have the time,” are

perfectly delivered and reflect Bryan’s poetic nature.  

Bryan frequently mentions God in his songs and this album is no exception. In “You’ll Get By” he sings, “You’ll get by just fine / And you’ll find God / At the end of every hard road.” Bryan’s lyrics reflect his tendency to find God when life gets hard that is echoed in his other albums.  

“Robot Killed the Working Man” is a well done and well delivered commentary on the rise of AI replacing jobs around the country and harming the environment. Lyrics like, “Hard times are when the auto workers are out of work,” and “Hey a computer took your place,” are a strong reflection of the state of workers today.  

Bryan is not one to shy away from issues society faces today and often comments on them through his lyrics. The song also contains lyrics like, “Grandma’s old garden ain’t what it used to be / There’s rats on tomatoes and holes in the leaves.”  

“Robot Killed the Working Man” is a perfect reflection of the effects of artificial intelligence on the world. People are losing their jobs and being replaced by robots. The world continues to heat up, and water is used for cooling computers, not drinking.  

Bryan’s album did not disappoint. A well-rounded balance of love, personal stories and commentary on the world, “Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs” was a wonderful October surprise.