It was an all-time New Music Friday this week.
Not only did we get Album of the Year contenders from Charles Wesley Godwin and Brent Cobb, but we also got two new songs from Cody Johnson, new music from Wyatt Flores, and a ton more great music.
Oh, and we got a surprise EP from Zach Bryan.
Zach is known for dropping new music at a pretty rapid clip, and he surprised fans this week with his new Boys of Faith EP, featuring duets with Noah Kahan and Bon Iver.
But of course some online were upset that he dropped the new music on the same day that his good friend Charles Wesley Godwin released his (incredible) new album, Family Ties.
Zach Bryan has shown his true colors lately. Mfer can't even let his "friend" have his day. CWG opened for him for over a year. CWG drops his album and what do you know ZB puts out an LP the same day, unannounced. Pitiful
— Cbone Hazy Skies (@c_bone14) September 22, 2023
Charles has opened for Zach quite a bit in the past, and the two have struck up quite the friendship – and have even recorded together, teaming up for “Jamie” from Zach’s Summertime Blues EP released in 2022.
So many thought it was odd that Zach would drop his EP this week and take attention away from his good friend.
I guess I’ll be one of those that die on the hill of Zach Bryan dropping on the same day as CWG is odd, knowing how close they are.
— Sᴛᴇᴠᴇɴ Sʟᴏɴᴇ (@Steven_Slone22) September 22, 2023
Friend: Hey Zach I’m getting married on January 23rd. Your invitation is in the mail buddy!!
Zach Bryan on January 23rd: pic.twitter.com/3VJPtKKOww
— friendscallmeJay (@Jaypotta) September 22, 2023
Zach Bryan the typa dude who gets engaged at your wedding.
— Reginald Spears (@ReginaldSpears) September 22, 2023
Death, taxes, and Zach Bryan trying to steal the spotlight from a better artist. pic.twitter.com/MSphA2LmWm
— Cody Wolfe Appreciation Committee Chair (Fan) (@music_listener7) September 22, 2023
Zach Bryan dropping music the exact same day as his "pal" CWG to show how true of a friend he really is… yikes
— Nate Weltlin (@GingaNinjaNate) September 22, 2023
Zach Bryan dropping his new EP the same day CWG drops Family Ties pic.twitter.com/cYdm2YXQP6
— Pepper Brooks (@pepbrooksESPN) September 22, 2023
Of course there were plenty of people who took up for Zach too, pointing out that…yes, you can actually listen to both albums.
Here’s my take on ZLB dropping on the same day as CWG. Who gives a fuck?! If Charles isn’t pissed about it then why are y’all, everyone just tries so hard to find a reason to hate Zach bryan.
— Country Heard (@CountryHeard) September 22, 2023
CWG and Zach Bryan new projects same day that’s a damn good day
— Cullen King (@CullenKing07) September 22, 2023
a country new music friday with zach bryan & CWG is a good one.
— Swaydaddy (@dmichael_) September 22, 2023
Zach even tweeted about Family Ties shortly after it dropped.
STRIKE ME DOWN.. pic.twitter.com/Y68HOLhJZD
— Zach Bryan (@zachlanebryan) September 22, 2023
And this morning, Zach took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to address those who were criticizing him for dropping the EP on the same day as Charles dropped his album, saying that he would have waited if he had known Charles was releasing Family Ties on the same day:
“I did not know that Charles was dropping yesterday, he is an insanely close friend of mine and we do not talk music too often believe it or not
If I would have known I would have waited you internet heroes truly know how to die for a cause and jump to conclusions yeah”
I did not know that Charles was dropping yesterday, he is an insanely close friend of mine and we do not talk music too often believe it or not
If I would have known I would have waited
you internet heroes truly know how to die for a cause and jump to conclusions yeah https://t.co/NlsDoUBOcr— Zach Bryan (@zachlanebryan) September 23, 2023
So there you have it. Zach says he didn’t realize that Charles was dropping his album this week, and that he would have waited if he had known.
I guess there’s no competition between the two after all – although Charles did have some (jokingly) harsh words for Zach when it comes to running their morning miles:
@whiskeyriff♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
