CD Review: Zach Top – Cold Beer & Country Music
By Adam Chance for Country Music News International Magazine
1. Sounds Like the Radio
2. Cold Beer & Country Music
3. Cowboys Like Me Do
4. There’s the Sun
5. Dirt Turns to Gold
6. The Kinda Woman I Like
7. Lonely for Long
8. Bad Luck
9. Use Me
10. Ain’t That a Heartbreak
11. I Never Lie
12. Things to Do
Zach Top’s debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, released on April 5, 2024, via Leo33, marks a significant entry into the neotraditional country genre. The album showcases Top’s rich vocals and authentic storytelling, reflecting his rural Washington upbringing and natural sentimentality.
The opening track, “Sounds Like the Radio,” sets a nostalgic tone reminiscent of 90s country. This song became Top’s debut single to country radio on January 8, 2024, and achieved his first top 20 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in November 2024, reaching a peak of number 15.
Following this, “I Never Lie” gained viral attention on TikTok, leading to its release as the album’s second single and marking Top’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
The album flows seamlessly, with each song contributing to a cohesive narrative. Tracks like “Cowboys Like Me Do” and “There’s the Sun” highlight Top’s sentimental side, while “The Kinda Woman I Like” and “Bad Luck” bring a lively honky-tonk energy. Top’s dedication to traditional country is evident throughout the album; he co-wrote all 12 tracks with producer Carson Chamberlain, aiming to create a cohesive body of work that reflects his artistic vision.
Critics have praised the album for its authenticity and Top’s vocal prowess. Holler described it as finding “Top soaring through an array of diverse and intriguing song selections,” giving the album a 9.5 out of 10 ranking. Country Central called it “a masterclass in traditional country music,” praising Top’s vocals, the neo-traditional production choices, and the diversity of material from slow jams to honky-tonk rockers.
Cold Beer & Country Music debuted at number 49 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated August 3, 2024. It has since reached a peak of number 14 on the chart and number 72 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
Zach Top, along with his band, has delivered an album that honors country music’s roots while infusing it with a contemporary flair. Cold Beer & Country Music is a promising debut that solidifies Top’s place in the genre.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
For more information, visit Zach Top’s official website: https://zachtop.com/