Zach Bryan Releases New Album Featuring Bruce Springsteen Collaboration

Zach Bryan’s latest album, The Great American Bar Scene, includes a notable collaboration with Bruce Springsteen on the track “Sandpaper.”

Earlier this year, Bryan teased “Sandpaper” during his Quittin’ Time tour, regularly performing it live. A memorable moment occurred on March 27 in Brooklyn, when Springsteen made a surprise appearance, joining Bryan on stage to perform the song during the encore. Following the duet, Springsteen stayed on to help close the show with “Revival,” with Maggie Rogers returning for a final performance of “Dawns.”

Speculation suggests that Bryan turned the studio version of “Sandpaper” into a duet with Springsteen after their Brooklyn performance. A source familiar with Bryan’s concert logistics told Rolling Stone that Springsteen had flown back to Brooklyn amidst his own tour with the E Street Band and learned “Sandpaper” on the day of the show.

In addition to “Sandpaper,” The Great American Bar Scene features a collaboration with John Mayer on the track “Better Days.” Mayer joined Bryan for a live performance of the song in Los Angeles in June.

This album marks Bryan’s fifth studio release, following his successful self-titled album from 2023. In anticipation of the new LP, Bryan released two singles, “Pink Skies” and “Purple Gas.” The latter, originally written and performed by Noeline Hofmann, features Hofmann duetting with Bryan on the album.

Bryan’s tour schedule continues through the end of the year, with his summer run concluding on August 26 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He will resume touring in November and early December, ending with two nights in Brooklyn on December 18 and 19.