Boys Of Faith

Album: Boys Of Faith (2023)
Charted: 26
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Songfacts®:

  • Just a month after the release of his eponymous fourth studio album, Zach Bryan surprised released his Boys Of Faith EP. Turns out, he was busy recording this five-track record in the interim.

    "Locked myself in a studio all week, wrote myself through a notebook," he tweeted. "Walked around with people I love in the city then went campin', felt restful and hopeful, thankful for breathing no matter the day."
  • The EP's title track is a duet featuring Bon Iver mainman Justin Vernon that exudes fuzzed-out Americana vibes. Over strings, piano, and emotive percussion, they pay homage to their tight-knit crew who have always had each other's backs and believed in shared dreams. These folks are the "boys of faith," as their presence feels like a sanctuary in their lives - steadfast and secure.

    But you stuck around when I was down
    And I'll owe you all my days
    Them boys of faith


    Bryan and Vernon lay it all out there, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support during trying times. They vow to always be there for them in return.
  • Bryan has spoken about his admiration for Bon Iver many times. Back in 2016, he serenaded us with a cover of the Wisconsin singer's hit "Skinny Love," and the following year he tweeted about Bon Iver's "Heavenly Father" being "one of the most beautiful songs ever made." Bryan even gave props to "Towers," wishing he'd come up with it himself.

    In 2022 Bryan wrote, "Bon Iver is such a generational act and such a genius in my eyes if you guys only understood how far this goes back for me and if you understood he's the reason I started playing music that meant somethin'."
  • Bryan recorded the song with Jacob Weinberg, who also played on the Zach Bryan album. Weinberg engineered the track, programmed the drums, and played electric guitar, bass guitar, drums and piano.

    Bon Iver violinist Rob Moose arranged and played the strings.

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