Pairing the reflective insight of a roots poet with the edgy intensity of raw alt-rock, Zach John King is pushing Country in a brand new (yet-strangely-familiar) direction – straight toward the truth, no matter where it leads. Raised in Fayetteville, Georgia and a lyricist first (with multiple generations of poets in the family), the rising star grew up old school but dreaming of escape. King fronted an indie-rock band through college before making the move to Nashville in 2021. Whether it was through power chords and pounding drums or bare-knuckle balladry, his minimalistic Country-meets-rock sound resulted in a series of independent releases before King’s 2024 breakout single, “Wannabe Cowboy.” The conflicted confessional ballad stands in bold contrast to Country’s chest thumping identity anthems and has so far garnered 6.7 million streams worldwide. The rising star released a new EP last spring, Slow Down, a project that is “sure to make fans new and old flock to the singer in droves,” Country Swag.