Singer Zach Top slams modern country music, says it lacks 'soul'

Zach Top is sharing his hot take on modern country music, saying it now sounds "perfect" and lost some of its "soul."

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the 28-year-old country singer spoke about his new song, "Good Girls & Cowgirls," and why he thinks bluegrass music, which is what he started out playing, is now growing in popularity.

"From my perspective, it’s pretty parallel to the reason that my music is as popular as it is right now," he said. "We had a long time, at least in the country world… everything is really perfect and everything’s tuned. Everything’s pocketed just right. I think some of the soul got left behind in that."

In his opinion, people are now searching for music that is "a little more raw and real again," and that "bluegrass is only that" since when performing that genre, "there's nothing covering you up."

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He explained that when playing bluegrass, "you better be a bada-- on your instrument and a bada-- singer," citing Tyler Childers and Zach Bryan as two other big country stars today who are embracing a "very real and raw" sound and finding great success with it.

"You’re not trying to chase perfection," he said. "You’re trying to just play good music and put your heart and soul into it. People enjoy that. And that’s what bluegrass has always been to me."

Top is known for playing traditional honky-tonk music and is credited as one of the younger country artists responsible for the resurgence of traditional country music.

He released his first EP in 2022, the same year he made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. He had his big breakthrough in 2024, with the release of his debut album, "Cold Beer & Country Music."

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He found further success in 2025 with the release of his second album, "Ain't In It for My Health," the same year he won ACM New Male Artist of the Year and CMA New Artist of the Year.

"I don't know. I brought a beer up on stage, read between the lines, you know," he said backstage at the CMAs about his celebration plans after the win. "I got a bunch of my road crew here with me, my band. We're gonna go find someplace and knock a few beers back. I'll probably call my family at some point...outside of that, I just hope I can get to bed before 5AM I suppose."

His latest song, "Good Girls & Cowgirls" is set to debut with its official release Aug. 21, along with another new song, "Other Side of Hurtin’."

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Although he has two new songs coming out soon, he has yet to confirm a release date for his highly-anticipated third album, telling Rolling Stone, "we don't have the date nailed out," but is hopeful it'll be out sometime in April.

"It’s a goofy, fun song, the dichotomy between what you would call a 'good girl' and a little more the wild side of women," he said of the song. "I think folks will enjoy it. The plan is for it to be on the new record. That’s next spring."