Ain't in It for My Health is the second studio album by American country music artist Zach Top. The album was released on August 29, 2025, via Leo33. It was produced by Carson Chamberlain.
The 15-track record follows Top's breakthrough debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, and continues his reputation as a leading figure in the neo-traditional country revival. Blending elements of bluegrass, 1970s countrypolitan polish, and 1990s honky-tonk, the album features the lead single "Good Times & Tan Lines" and ballads such as "South of Sanity" and "When You See Me".
Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for Top's traditionalist approach and vocal authenticity, though some noted its adherence to familiar country frameworks.
Top's sophomore album, Ain't in It for My Health, was first announced on June 9, 2025, when he debuted its lead single, "Good Times & Tan Lines", live on the main stage at CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The song was released immediately following the performance and accompanied by the announcement of the new album.[2] On social media, Top confirmed, "The subtle hints and cryptic announcements are over... 'Ain't In It For My Health' will be out 8/29."[3][4]
Top reunites on this album with Carson Chamberlain, and many of Top's previous co-writers, including Tim Nichols, Wyatt McCubbin, Paul Overstreet, and Mark Nesler, who were included on Top's previous album, Cold Beer & Country Music.[5] While his debut album leaned heavily into traditional honky-tonk and bluegrass influences, Ain't in It for My Health is reportedly more relaxed in tone, featuring sun-soaked imagery and nods to Jimmy Buffett-style escapism, as heard in the lead single and teased tracks like "Flip-Flop."[3]
When crafting the album, Top admitted he felt pressure to prove he was not a one-hit wonder.[6] He described the feeling of nerves about the "sophomore slump," but said the reception of his first record assured him that staying true to his musical instincts was enough.[7] Ten of the album's 15 songs were written before the release of Cold Beer & Country Music, with an additional five added during the early 2025 recording sessions.[7]
In an interview with Spotify's Countdown To Ain't In It for My Health podcast, hosted by tourmate Dierks Bentley, Top explained that producer Carson Chamberlain suggested the title, which carried a deeper significance for him.[6] Top initially was going to name the album after one the album's songs, such as "Guitar" or "Loving the Wrong Things", but Chamberlain gave the suggestion as one that was "out of left field."[8] According to Top, the name represented his determination to establish longevity in country music: "I'm here to stay, and it's not whatever. I ain't in it for my health."[6] Bentley praised the title, noting that it resonated with the realities of life as a touring musician, where long hours, travel, and partying can take a toll on well-being.[6]
Top is supporting Ain't in It for My Health on the road in two major touring legs. He is a featured opener on Dierks Bentley's Broken Branches Tour, performing in major markets including, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Madison Square Garden in New York City.[2] Bentley himself praised Top's traditionalist approach and instrumental skill, saying, "He's got the bluegrass chops to hang with the best of 'em in a jam."[9]
Like its predecessor, Ain't in It for My Health draws heavily on the sounds of late 1980s and 1990s country icons such as Alan Jackson, Keith Whitley, and Randy Travis.[11][12] Critics noted, however, that Top's approach transcends simple revivalism, carrying the tradition forward with original songwriting and contemporary nuance.[12][13] The album blends honky-tonk, ballads, and summer anthems, with both lighthearted and emotionally intense material.[7][12][14]
The album opens with "Guitar", a track blending light bluegrass grooves, pedal steel, and honky-tonk textures, serving as both a statement of purpose and a nod to 1990s country.[1][15] "Good Times & Tan Lines" delivers a breezy, '90s-inspired anthem celebrating carefree summer nights and evokes a Jimmy Buffett-style beach atmosphere.[1][7][14][15]
Ballads such as "When You See Me" and "Splitsville" provide emotional depth, the former invoking the influence of Glen Campbell and George Jones, while the latter imagines heartbreak as a literal town in Countrypolitan style.[1][15] Another contemplative track, "Livin' a Lie", explores themes of self-deception and personal growth.[15]
The album also features playful numbers such as "Flip--Flop", a beach-inspired song with a humorous twist, and "Tightrope", which pokes fun at modern wellness culture within a honky-tonk setting.[1] More serious moments arrive with "Between the Ditches", a piano-driven ballad likened to Billy Joel's storytelling, and "South of Sanity", a cinematic narrative about love unraveling during a Montana rodeo.[1]
Later tracks highlight both Top's traditionalist streak and versatility. "Like I Want You" recalls dancehall-ready two-stepping, "Country Boy Blues" satirizes modern Nashville trends,[12] and "Lovin' the Wrong Things" reflects on chasing bad habits.[1] The album closes with "Honky Tonk Till It Hurts", a driving anthem of defiance and celebration that encapsulates Top's mission statement as an artist.[1][15]
Singles
Described as a "jovial, laid-back tribute to simply having fun,"[3] the album's lead single "Good Times & Tan Lines" channels a lighthearted, beachy vibe while still maintaining Top's signature traditionalist sound. Billboard praised the song for its "strongly Alan Jackson-coded, twangy guitar intro and piles of fiddle" layered beneath lyrics about "a more laid-back time of friendship, chilled beverages, and ample time on a beach or lake."[5]
In contrast, promotional single "South of Sanity" presents a more introspective and emotionally resonant ballad. Written about the toll of balancing life on the road with a strained relationship, the track blends slick 1980s-inspired production with vivid storytelling. "When we hung up she was talking leaving / Now how am I supposed to sing and play?" Top asks in the song, depicting the disintegration of a long-distance romance.[16]
Prior to the album's release, early singles were met with strong critical and fan support. "Good Times & Tan Lines" was described by Billboard as a "top country anthem for the summer" and praised for its catchy, radio-ready hooks.[5]Rolling Stone called "South of Sanity" a "slice of slick and satisfying Eighties balladry," highlighting Top's expanding stylistic range while retaining lyrical depth.[16]
Ain't in It for My Health received widespread acclaim from music critics. Joel Reuben Pauley of Country Central rated the album 9.7/10, praising its balance of tradition and freshness, thoughtful structure, and masterful songwriting.[12] Chris Richards of The Washington Post described it as "traditionalism without regression," noting how Top's voice and songs carried dignity and mystique.[13]Whiskey Riff called the record "15 songs of classic country gold," praising its mix of twangy anthems, heartbreak ballads, and tender love songs.[14] They emphasized the significance of the album title and its role in reinforcing Top's reputation as a serious artist beyond nostalgia-driven trends.[6]
Entertainment Focus awarded the album 4.5 out of five stars, praising it as "a statement record" that balances reverence for traditional country with fresh, inventive touches.[1] The review highlighted Top's ability to weave bluegrass energy, 1970s polish, and 1990s swagger into a cohesive project, calling it "the sound of an artist poised to step into the big leagues."[1]Rolling Stone gave the album a more tempered review at 3.5 out of five stars, commending Top's consistency and ability to channel '90s country influences but noting that much of the material stayed close to familiar frameworks.[15] Daniel Kohn nonetheless praised standout songs such as "Good Times & Tan Lines", "Splitsville", and "Honky Tonk Till It Hurts".[15]
Billboard's Jessica Nicholson highlighted the album's blend of 1980s and 1990s influence with modern sensibilities, calling it a career-defining step for one of country's fastest-rising stars.[7]Pitchfork similarly noted Top's ability to sound authentically Southern despite his Washington roots, comparing his style to Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, and Alan Jackson.[11]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Zach Top and Carson Chamberlain, with additional co-writers as noted.
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