Wikipedia

Boys of Faith

Boys of Faith is the third EP by American singer-songwriter Zach Bryan. It was released on September 22, 2023, through Belting Bronco and Warner, a month after the release of his eponymous fourth studio album. The project features guest appearances by Bon Iver and Noah Kahan.

Boys of Faith
EP by
Zach Bryan
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
Genre
Length15:59
Label
Producer
  • Zach Bryan
  • Eddie Spear
Zach Bryan chronology
Zach Bryan
(2023) 		Boys of Faith
(2023) 		The Great American Bar Scene
(2024)

Background and composition

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On September 17, 2023, weeks after the release of his fourth studio album,[2] Bryan shared clips of songs he recorded with Bon Iver and Noah Kahan.[3] For the recording process, Bryan "locked" himself in the studio for a week, wrote himself "through a notebook" and met with people he loves, before going camping and feeling "restful and hopeful". He closed out the statement by mentioning the EP title "them boys of faith".[4] The project was once again self-written and self-produced by Bryan himself.[5] The release strategy follows a similar pattern to his 2022 releases American Heartbreak and Summertime Blues.[6]

The singer-songwriter enlisted Bon Iver for an "autumnal Americana" title track that features a "tumbling chorus",[4] on top of "hearty voices sprawl over strings, piano and affecting percussion".[7] Bryan had previously shown admiration for their music, including a cover of "Skinny Love" which dates back to 2016. In November 2022, Bryan explained that Bon Iver's Justin Vernon was the reason he "started playing music".[8] "Sarah's Place" features fellow Nashville singer-songwriter Noah Kahan in "an uptempo barnburner that bittersweetly reminisces on a past relationship". Finally, the musician included a previously unreleased fan favorite deep-cut "Deep Satin".[9]

Track listing

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All tracks written by Bryan, except where noted; "Deep Satin" co-produced with Eddie Spears.

Boys of Faith track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nine Ball" 2:49
2."Sarah's Place" (featuring Noah Kahan)
3:34
3."Boys of Faith" (featuring Bon Iver)
2:50
4."Deep Satin" 3:31
5."Pain, Sweet, Pain" 3:15
Total length:15:59

Charts

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Chart performance for Boys of Faith
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[10] 8
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[11] 25
US Billboard 200[12] 8
US Folk Albums (Billboard)[13] 2
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[14] 3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[15] 2

References

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  1. ^ a b Diorio, Julia; Boilard, Skylar (September 28, 2023). "Review: Zach Bryan's Boys of Faith is the perfect folk EP for the nostalgics". Washington Square News. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  2. ^ Renshaw, David (September 22, 2023). "Zach Bryan drops Boys of Faith EP featuring Bon Iver, Noah Kahan". The Fader. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  3. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 18, 2023). "Zach Bryan Teases New Songs With Bon Iver, Noah Kahan". Stereogum. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Madarang, Charisma (September 22, 2023). "Zach Bryan Fuels Hot Streak With 'Boys of Faith' EP, Enlisting Bon Iver, Noah Kahan". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Vigil, Dom (September 22, 2023). "Zach Bryan Releases "Boys Of Faith" EP". Prelude Press. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  6. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 22, 2023). "Zach Bryan Releases Surprise EP Boys Of Faith Feat. Bon Iver & Noah Kahann". Stereogum. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Bell, Sadie (September 22, 2023). "Zach Bryan Releases Moving Folk Song 'Boys of Faith' — His First Collaboration with Bon Iver". People. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  8. ^ Minsker, Evan; Strauss, Matthew (September 23, 2023). "Zach Bryan Enlists Bon Iver for New Song "Boys of Faith": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  9. ^ Jones, Abby (September 22, 2023). "Zach Bryan Drops New EP Boys of Faith Featuring Bon Iver, Noah Kahan: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  10. ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  14. ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
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