The singer-songwriter posted a pic of T-Swift's album cover of "The Tortured Poets Department" ... explaining he recently wrote he thinks Kanye makes better music than Swift because he drunkenly tried to compare two albums -- and, it came out all wrong.

ZB says he was speaking strictly musically, and wasn't cosigning any of Ye's other beliefs ... before adding he loves Taylor's music too -- and simply screwed up in his post.

In a follow-up post, Zach claims he's been going through a tough time in his life ... and projected his own issues onto Taylor. He says it came off as super rude -- and didn't embody the respect he has for the pop star.

Bryan says TS has been a force of nature for years ... and, he offers some advice to fans too -- encouraging them not to "drink and tweet."

ICYMI ... Zach deactivated his X account after tweeting out "eagles > chiefs Kanye > Taylor who’s with me" -- basically saying Tay's archnemesis is the better of the two artists.

Of course, Swifties were quick to react ... calling Zach out for his comment -- and forcing him to turn off his social media for a bit.