Eric Church Releases New Single "Hands of Time" Ahead of Upcoming Album "Evangeline vs. The Machine"
Eric Church has released a new track, "Hands Of Time", as the lead single from his upcoming album "Evangeline vs. The Machine". Released on March 20, 2025, the song masterfully weaves Church's signature storytelling with themes of aging and nostalgia, celebrating music's enduring power to transport listeners through time.
The new track explores music's unique ability to bridge past and present. The track's emotional resonance stems from Church's heartfelt lyrics, particularly in its chorus: "We ain't as young as we used to be // But young at heart is so easy // When you let some loud guitars and words that rhyme // Handle the hands of time” These words perfectly capture the universal experience of finding youth through music's timeless embrace.
"Hands of Time" was co-written by Church and Scooter Carusoe, and serves as the lead track for his forthcoming album "Evangeline vs. The Machine," set to release on May 2, 2025, via EMI Records Nashville. The song explores the concept of using music as a remedy against the relentless passage of time, with Church explaining, "As I get older, I'm looking for things that make me feel not as old". He elaborated that when he hears music or sees something from his past, he feels transported back to that moment, connecting with how he felt then.
"Hands of Time" is rich with musical references, paying homage to artists and songs that have shaped Church's musical journey. The lyrics mention Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights," Tom Petty's "Even the Losers," AC/DC's "Back in Black," and the classic "Luckenbach, Texas" by Willie and Waylon.
The upcoming album will be Church's first full release since his 2021 triple album "Heart & Soul". "Evangeline vs. The Machine" will contain eight tracks, divided into Side A and Side B. The album was produced by Church's longtime collaborator Jay Joyce and will feature previously released tracks such as "Darkest Hour" and a cover of Tom Waits' "Clap Hands" from the 1985 album "Rain Dogs".
Church describes the album as "a snapshot in time that lasts for all time," emphasizing his belief in creating records that function as cohesive artistic statements. He added, "I've always let creativity be the muse. It's been a compass for me. 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".
His debut album, "Sinners Like Me," was released in 2006, establishing him as a unique voice in country music. Church's breakthrough came with his 2011 album "Chief," which debuted at number one on both the Billboard Country and Top 200 charts. This album featured his first number one single, "Drink in My Hand," as well as "Springsteen," which reached number one on the Country chart and made the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100.
Church has consistently pushed the boundaries of country music by incorporating elements of rock, blues, and other genres into his sound. He's known for his genre-defying approach, with songs that blend traditional country storytelling with rock-inspired instrumentation. When asked about his musical style, Church has stated, "I'm not about announcing, 'Hey, we're in this genre.' I'm not sure where we fit. Music is music".
Throughout his career, Church has received numerous accolades, including multiple Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, and Grammy nominations. His album "Chief" won Album of the Year at the 2012 Country Music Association Awards, and he received a CMT Artist of the Year Award later that year. "Chief" also won Album of the Year at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards.
With "Hands of Time" and the forthcoming "Evangeline vs. The Machine," Church continues his tradition of musical innovation while reflecting on the passage of time and the enduring power of music to connect us with our past.
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