The wait for a new Eric Church album is almost over. The superstar recently announced plans to release his new album, Evangeline vs. The Machine, on May 2 and shared a new track from the project, the nostalgia-filled “Hands Of Time.”
The eight-track collection includes six tracks written or co-written by Church, including the previously released “Darkest Hour,” which was released last fall in support of Hurricane Helene relief efforts. The album is the follow-up to 2021’s Heart & Soul trilogy and promises to deliver the kind of unique storytelling and musicality that Church has become known for.
“An album is a snapshot in time that lasts for all time,” Church shares of the creative process behind Evangeline vs. The Machine. “I believe in that time-tested tradition of making records that live and breathe as one piece of art – I think it’s important.”
“I’ve always let creativity be the muse. It’s been a compass for me,” he goes on to say. “The people that I look up to in my career and the kind of musicians I gravitate to never did what I thought they were going to do next – and I love them for it. I never want our fans to get an album and go, ‘Oh, that’s like Chief or that’s like this.’ Painstakingly, I lose sleep at night to try to make sure that whatever we do creatively, they go, ‘Wow, that’s not what I thought.’ I think that’s my job as an artist.”
The album’s lead single, “Hands of Time,” officially hit radio on Monday, March 24. In its first week, the song was added to an impressive 135 stations, marking Church’s best first-week debut at country radio to date.
Released on streaming platforms late last week, the track sonically echoes some of Church’s earlier work and stands as one of his most radio-friendly releases in years.
“Hands of Time” illustrates the power of music to help listeners navigate life’s ups and downs while reflecting on the passage of time as they age. Throughout the song, Church references iconic tracks like Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights,” AC/DC’s “Back In Black,” Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home,” and more, evoking feelings of nostalgia for the listener.
“As I get older, I’m looking for things that make me feel not as old,” Church explains of the track. “I can honestly say that when I hear music or see something from my past, I feel like I did then; I relate to what it was then. I really believe that a good way to handle that is with music.”
A few days after the release of Evangeline vs. The Machine, Eric Church will perform at the milestone 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, taking place in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 8.
See the complete album track listing below and click HERE to pre-order.
Evangeline vs. The Machine Track List
1. Hands Of Time (Eric Church, Scooter Carusoe)
2. Bleed On Paper (Tucker Beathard, Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell)
3. Johnny (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Brett Warren)
4. Storm In Their Blood (Eric Church)
5. Darkest Hour (Eric Church)
6. Evangeline (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Barry Dean)
7. Rocket’s White Lincoln (Eric Church)
8. Clap Hands (Tom Waits)
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