Zach Bryan’s ‘Bowery’ Would’ve Been Better As A Solo Kings Of Leon Song

Hot take?

Today was the day that Zach Bryan and Kings of Leon fans were waiting for. The country music star teamed up with the band behind all-time hits like “Pyro” and “Sex on Fire” to bring to life a collaborative work of art called “Bowery.” The family band, which formed in the Nashville area around 1999, is one of the last true rock acts that still exists in the modern age.

And man, oh man do they still have their fast ball.

The timing of this single’s release made a lot of sense. Kings of Leon and Zach Bryan have recently crossed paths, and the release of “Bowery” comes on the heels of their run at MetLife Stadium together. Bryan and Kings of Leon brought their energetic shows for three nights at the New Jersey stadium back in July.

It’s important to note that Zach Bryan has called working with the group “one of the greatest honors” of his life. The 29-year-old country star clearly recognizes that Kings of Leon, who have been together almost as long as Zach has been alive, is one of the best of the best when it comes to modern bands. And speaking of… I guess now would be a good time to jump into my potentially hot take.

I think “Bowery” would have been better as a solo Kings of Leon song.

Hear me out here. I want to be clear that this is not so much an indictment on Zach Bryan as it is a praising of Kings of Leon. Lead singer Caleb Followill has one of those iconic, instantly recognizable vocal sounds that has helped completely separate KOL from the rest of the rock music crowd. Followill has proven time and time again that he can sing circles around anyone you match him up against.

Zach Bryan is a talented singer in his own right, but collaborating creates instant perspective. Just as I would prefer to not pose for a picture right next to someone that’s more in-shape than I am, I’d imagine that singers probably get a little nervous asking talented vocalists onto their tracks. One can’t help but compare the two when they are together like that.

Don’t get me wrong… I really enjoyed the song with Zach Bryan as a the lead and Kings of Leon as the feature. However, I kept finding myself wondering what it would sound like if it was, I don’t know, just Caleb Followill and his band? When Bryan and the Kings of Leon frontman harmonized in the chorus, I personally found Bryan’s vocals to be a little distracting. Maybe he just should have laid out and let Followill belt out his parts alone?

And I can’t help but say that though this is technically a Zach Bryan song featuring Kings of Leon… it feels very much the other way around. “Bowery” has Kings of Leon written all over it, and maybe that’s somewhat of a testament to Bryan? He’s clearly a huge fan of the band, and he helped create a track for them to be featured on that allowed for them to really steal the show. Maybe a little too much?

My ultimate conclusion: “Bowery” sounds like a Kings of Leon song, and maybe it should have been.

“Bowery”

The post Zach Bryan’s ‘Bowery’ Would’ve Been Better As A Solo Kings Of Leon Song first appeared on Whiskey Riff.