Eric Church Announces New Album 'Evangeline vs. The Machine' and Drops Nostalgic New Single

by Maybe Midwest

The wait is almost over for Eric Church fans. The country music powerhouse has officially announced his next album, Evangeline vs. The Machine, set for release on May 2. Alongside the announcement, Church has dropped a brand-new single, "Hands of Time," offering fans a taste of what’s to come.

A New Chapter in Church’s Musical Journey

The upcoming album features eight tracks, six of which were written or co-written by Church himself. It follows his ambitious Heart & Soul trilogy from 2021 and continues his reputation for pushing creative boundaries. Among the tracks is the previously released "Darkest Hour," which debuted last fall to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

For Church, albums are more than just collections of songs—they capture a moment in time. “An album is a snapshot in time that lasts for all time,” he says. “I believe in that time-tested tradition of making records that live and breathe as one piece of art.”

The Creative Process and Church’s Signature Sound

Church has never been one to follow the predictable path. He explains, “I’ve always let creativity be the muse. It’s been a compass for me. The people I look up to in my career never did what I expected them to do next, and I love them for it. I never want fans to hear an album and think, ‘Oh, that’s just like Chief or that’s just like this.’”

That drive for innovation is evident in Evangeline vs. The Machine. The lead single, “Hands of Time,” debuted on country radio on March 24, landing on 135 stations in its first week—his biggest radio launch yet. With a sound that nods to Church’s earlier work, the track is one of his most radio-friendly releases in years.

A Nostalgic, Reflective Single

"Hands of Time" captures the power of music to transport listeners back in time, offering a reflective take on aging and nostalgia. Throughout the song, Church name-drops legendary tracks like Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights,” AC/DC’s “Back In Black,” and Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home.”

“As I get older, I’m looking for things that make me feel not as old,” Church shares. “When I hear music from my past, I feel like I did then. That’s the power of music.”

ACM Awards Performance & Tracklist

Fans can also look forward to a special performance from Church at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas, on May 8—just days after his new album drops.

Check out the full tracklist for Evangeline vs. The Machine below:

  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)

 

 

photo: @reid_long
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