Album: American Heartbreak by Zach Bryan

In a year packed with over-produced, profit-maximizing pop hits, Zach Bryan took music back to its roots. A 34-song album absolutely overflowing with tear-jerking melodies over guitar and harmonica, American Heartbreak is true art. Bryan’s voice is raw and addictive and conveys every droplet of emotion that flows from his pen. 

Country is the genre of storytelling, though it might be hard to tell with today’s electronic, four-chord trap beat copy-and-pastes. No one can tell a more compelling story than Zach Bryan. He’s clearly bursting with creativity, and he isn’t cutting any of it away. A two-hour masterpiece. –Katya Roudakov

Movie: Top Gun: Maverick

Undoubtedly the best action movie of the year. But the attention to detail and phenomenal character development are what make it more than that: top-notch aviator action, humor, and suspense combine with a surprisingly touching plot to make an unforgettable film. Every aspect of this movie is compelling, from the soundtrack to the screenwriting. 

After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he still belongs: pushing the envelope. Nail-biting action, deep characters, and stunning visuals tie this film into a perfect blockbuster. –Owen Youngblood

TV Season: Reservation Dogs Season Two

The long-awaited second season of Hulu’s Reservation Dogs exceeded expectations across the board. The show follows Native American teenagers Bear (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Elora (Devery Jacobs), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis), and Cheese (Lane Factor) living on a reservation. They learn to cope with neglectful dads, dead friends, and bread rolls drenched in ranch, and use witty humor to deal with it all. Sure, you’ll be sobbing so loud you’ll wake up your sister, but you’ll also be breathless from laughing too hard. Reservation Dogs perfectly depicts humanity and reminds everyone that it’s okay to not be okay. –Maddie Hart

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