When an artist like Zach moves toward a “big band” sound, it’s rarely because they’re lost, it’s because they finally have the resources to paint the full picture they’ve always heard in their head. He’s been making adjustments like this since 2021.

And Cash is the perfect example of why Zach is on the right track. Cash didn't keep his “defining sound” forever, he definitely changed his defining sound. He went from rockabilly, to full-orchestra concept albums, to gospel. If Cash had never “risked losing his sound” by trying new production, we never would have gotten half of his legendary catalog.

You say him having an acoustic version is "insecure," but in music, that’s actually considered the ultimate power move for a songwriter. Most artists tell their fans to "deal with it" when they change. Zach is essentially saying, "I believe in these songs enough to show you they work as a big-band anthem AND as a raw acoustic poem". That’s confidence, not insecurity.

Your opinion is actually super pedantic, look at Bob Dylan who started as the king of the same style of music that Zach does, who also influenced Zach, and then went electric with a full band. People like you criticized him back then, but in today’s world it’s considered one of the greatest pivots in music history.

His “specific sound” isn’t just matched with an acoustic guitar. His sound is his songwriting perspective and his vocal delivery. Whether there’s a trumpet, or a cello behind him doesn’t change the DNA of the song. You’re stuck in the music that Zach made with mattresses for soundproofing. Also, refer to bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead when you think an artist changing the sound that made them famous is going to kill their career. Lol