5 Country Artists To Listen To If You Love The Neotraditional Sound Of Zach Top

Throughout the first half of the decade, it felt as if two predominant styles of country music were receiving the most attention: the acoustic, low-fi sound popularized by the likes of Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers and the hyper pop/rap-influenced sound that Morgan Wallen has dominated the genre with over the course of the past five or so years.

Recently, however, it has become more than apparent that plenty of country fans have been craving a return to the traditional sounds and styles so many grew up on in the 1990s.

It should go without saying that the ’90s is what many consider to be one of the golden eras of country. Though we had the birth of the outlaw subgenre in the ’70s and further development of legends throughout the ’80s, it’s the final decade of the nineteenth century that brought some of the most memorable moments for plenty of fans.

Beyond the star power that featured the likes of George Strait, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Reba, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn and so many more, country music was finally becoming a cultural phenomenon. Of course, this was highlighted by events such as the 1994 Super Bowl, which featured Black, Tanya Tucker, The Judds and Travis Tritt performing the first country halftime show.

It would be amiss to talk about the neotraditional movement that also dominated the genre at the time. Following the success of Urban Cowboy, and the pop influences that crept into the genre in the ’80s, a plethora of artists stood in opposition to that, including Randy Travis, George Strait, Ricky Skaggs, John Anderson and more. And as the ’90s era was in full swing and stadium acts like Garth Brooks and Shania Twain were making headlines, artists like John Michael Montgomery, Mark Chesnutt, and Alan Jackson, rose to the top of the pack through their dedication to blend traditional elements with newer stylings present at the time.

Flash forward to today, and one of the biggest artists in the genre, Zach Top, is simultaneously introducing the next generation to the sounds and stylings of the ’90s and reminding everyone why the era has remained supreme for so long.

It seems like everywhere you go these days online, you can’t escape him. This, of course, is for good reason. Between the undeniable charm, the classic ’90s sound and some severely underrated guitar skills, the “I Never Lie” singer has been deemed the savior of country music for well over a year at this point. And while his success is incredibly warranted for good reason, there are plenty of traditionalists out there today who also deserve some love.

Here are five artists you should check out if you love Zach Top.

Jake Worthington

Worthington, who is currently opening for Top on the Cold Beer & Country Music Tour, has remained one of the most criminally underrated artists in the genre today. Since his debut EP in 2015, the “It Ain’t The Whiskey” singer has consistently given fans a taste of the beloved ’90s sounds year in and year out. Sounding somewhere between a young Mark Chesnutt and John Michael Montgomery, Worthington’s voice simply transports you back in time. Couple that with his twangy production choice, and you’ll swear you’re back in 1993.

If you’re looking for an artist who will lay down straight-down-the-middle country tracks from album to album, Worthington is your man.

Standout Tracks: “It Ain’t The Whiskey,” “State You Left Me In,” “Closing Time”

Randall King

Before Zach Top, there was Randall King. Gaining a ton of momentum around the time of the pandemic, many hailed the Texan as the next George Strait. Though the “You In A Honky Tonk” singer has yet to reach the mainstream heights that many fans swore he would, King has proven time and time again that he can deliver some exceptional tracks.

As mentioned, there’s no denying that King shares a similar vocal style to the “Amarillo By Morning” singer. If you’re looking for someone who sounds like Strait with the tendency to incorporate some modern flair, King should absolutely be on your radar.

Standout Tracks: “Around Forever,” “Mirror, Mirror,” “You In A Honky Tonk”

Hailey Whitters

If you haven’t listened to Hailey Whitters yet, quite frankly, you’re doing something wrong. After breaking out in 2022 with her certified platinum earworm, “Everything She Ain’t,” the Iowa native has been on an absolute tear the past three years. Collecting features with everyone from Charles Wesley Godwin, Flatland Cavalry, Brett Cobb and Stephen Wilson Jr. to Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town, Max McNown and Jordan Davis, Whitters has been one of the busiest women in music lately. And quite frankly, one of the most talented.

Her traditional stylings and killer songwriting have been showcased time and time again. With that being said, her recent release, Corn Queen, arguably displays this the best. If you’re looking to add more women and modern traditionalists on your playlist, I’d start there.

Standout Tracks: “Everything She Ain’t,” “Casseroles,” “Ten Year Town”

Drake Milligan

Having one of the most interesting career paths in the genre, Milligan actually got his start as an actor portraying a young Elvis in the CMT series, Sun Records. From there, he’d appear on American Idol in 2018 before dropping out to better hone his craft. This would lead him to return in 2022 to the talent show circles and perform his breakout hit, “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” on America’s Got Talent.

As a certified honky tonker, Milligan has a plethora of rockabilly-inspired tracks that harken back to the early days of Brooks & Dunn. With that being said, however, he’s shown that he can dabble in some more traditional, Western swing stylings, highlighted best on the Vince Gill collaboration, “Goin’ Down Swingin’.” Though his discography is fairly small, Milligan has proven he has enough versatility to warrant multiple listens.

Standout Tracks: “Goin’ Down Swingin’,” “She,” “Sounds Like Something I’d Do”

Mae Estes

Since her debut in 2019, Mae Estes has been consistently flying under the radar. With stellar tracks like “Thinkin Bout Cheatin,” “What I Shoulda Done” and “Gettin’ Back Up To Heaven,” it’s baffling to me that she hasn’t gotten more love in a time where women in the alt. country scene are finally getting the recognition they’ve deserved for so long.

Having songs that feel reminiscent of everyone from The Dixie Chicks to early Miranda Lambert, Estes isn’t a staunch traditionalist in the way Worthington is. With that being said, when she turns up the ’90s dial on tracks like “Mountain Of A Man,” she delivers every time.

Standout Tracks: “Mountain Of A Man,” “Thinkin Bout Cheatin,” “What I Shoulda Done”

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