Zach Bryan’s ‘With Heaven on Top’: A Raw Confession of Love, Heartbreak, and Sobriety

Oklahoma’s own Zach Bryan, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, has once again laid his soul bare with the release of his sixth studio album, ‘With Heaven on Top,’ on Friday, January 9, 2026. This sprawling, 25-track collection, a follow-up to 2024’s ‘The Great American Bar Scene,’ delves deep into the tumultuous chapters of his life, offering listeners an unfiltered look at his relationships, his newfound sobriety, and his hesitations about fatherhood. As Rolling Stone notes, Bryan himself posted on Instagram with the disclaimer, “Hope you don’t hate it,” hinting at the raw, uncompromising honesty within.

Navigating Love and Loss: A Tale of Two Relationships

At the heart of ‘With Heaven on Top’ lies Bryan’s deeply personal navigation of two significant relationships: the acrimonious end of his romance with ex-girlfriend Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia and the blossoming of his new marriage to Samantha Leonard. The album doesn’t shy away from confrontation, particularly on tracks like “Skin.” Here, Bryan delivers what many interpret as a scathing diss track aimed squarely at LaPaglia, promising to take “a blade to my old tattoos” to drain “the blood between me and you.” He sings, “How do tattoos take to your skin? Does your higher ground ever sink in? Do you love people just to win when it’s over?” The lyrics also criticize an ex for speaking ill of friends, a sentiment that aligns with LaPaglia’s public persona as a social media personality.

The connection to LaPaglia becomes even more explicit on “Plastic Cigarette,” where Bryan recounts meeting someone “evil” in Queens, New York. This mirrors the real-life genesis of his relationship with LaPaglia, which began in June 2023 after she attended his concert at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. He sings of being a “shell before” meeting this person, and how his “brother had told me to leave but I didn’t believe the evil beneath some people you meet out in Queens.” It’s a stark portrayal of a relationship that, according to LaPaglia’s previous claims, involved emotional abuse and an alleged offer of $12 million to remain silent about their split in October 2024.

In stark contrast to these barbed reflections, Bryan paints a loving portrait of his new wife, Samantha Leonard. The couple married in a private ceremony in San Sebastian, Spain, at the end of 2025, after several months of dating. Songs like “Runny Eggs” evoke romantic imagery, with Bryan singing about booking a flight to Pamplona to “find a lady with some big old Spanish eyes,” a clear nod to their attendance at the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and their Spanish nuptials. On “Slicked Back,” Bryan offers a heartfelt ode to Leonard, praising her as “so cool in my living room” and admiring her when she “talk trash with your hair slicked back.” He even muses, “When I get to hell or heaven, can I bring my girl?/’Cause she likes romance, good sex, music and ruling the world.” Another track, “Camper,” affectionately refers to Leonard as his “California baby,” acknowledging her roots and wondering why she’d choose a “cowboy” like him.

Personal Battles: Sobriety, Fatherhood, and Public Scrutiny

Beyond the intricate dance of his romantic life, Bryan uses ‘With Heaven on Top’ as a canvas for other deeply personal struggles and triumphs. His journey to sobriety, announced in November 2025, is a prominent theme. He revealed then that he was two months sober, having worked through a “toxic relationship with booze” with the help of a therapist. This commitment is echoed in “Appetite,” where he sings, “Everyone I know got older/Told my drunk ass to get sober, settle down and have some kids/Be content with all of this.”

The same track also exposes his profound indecision about fatherhood, a sentiment that resonates with many navigating the complexities of adulthood. “What if I don’t want children that grow up like their father, willing to stir s— up and start a fight?” he questions, revealing a raw vulnerability about his own past and its potential impact on future generations. This introspection is a hallmark of Bryan’s songwriting, inviting listeners into his most private thoughts and fears.

Even his well-publicized run-in with the law makes an appearance. On the album’s title track, “With Heaven on Top,” Bryan briefly references his September 2023 arrest in Oklahoma for interfering with a traffic stop involving his security guard. He sings, “Spend a night in jail after pissing off a cop,” a laconic acknowledgment of an incident that garnered significant media attention.

Acoustic Anticipation and the Road Ahead

Bryan, known for his prolific output, has a history of releasing extensive albums, from the 34 tracks of 2022’s ‘American Heartbreak’ to the 19 songs on ‘The Great American Bar Scene.’ ‘With Heaven on Top,’ with its 25 tracks, continues this trend of providing an abundant musical offering. Written, recorded, and produced by Bryan himself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, over the past several months, the album is a testament to his dedication to his craft.

Interestingly, Bryan is already anticipating potential criticism regarding the album’s production. As Holler.country reported, he announced that an acoustic version of ‘With Heaven on Top’ would be released just three days after the main album, on January 11, 2026. He candidly shared on Instagram, ‘There’s gonna be a billion people saying it’s over produced,’ viewing the acoustic follow-up as a ‘preemptive strike.’ He even admitted to leaving ‘mistakes’ in the acoustic renditions, emphasizing authenticity over perfection.

With the album now out, Bryan is set to embark on a lengthy ‘With Heaven On Tour’ world tour, kicking off in St. Louis in March 2026. The tour will feature an impressive lineup of support acts, including Kings of Leon, Alabama Shakes, Ben Howard, MJ Lenderman, and Dijon, promising fans a comprehensive live experience of his latest work.

Zach Bryan’s ‘With Heaven on Top’ is more than just another album; it’s a profound, unvarnished chronicle of a young man grappling with fame, love, and personal demons in the public eye. By sharing his most intimate struggles and celebrations, Bryan solidifies his position as a compelling voice in contemporary music, proving that true artistry often stems from the courage to reveal one’s deepest vulnerabilities, even amidst the clamor of public scrutiny.