Eric Church is kicking off his next musical chapter with “Hands Of Time,” the lead single from his forthcoming album, Evangeline Vs. The Machine. The track, co-written with Scooter Carusoe, delivers a powerful blend of Southern rock and country, complete with gospel harmonies, dynamic horn sections, and the steady ticking of a clock—underscoring the song’s theme of time slipping away. The song is now available across all streaming platforms, with the album set to drop on May 2.
A New Chapter in Church’s Career
As an artist known for pushing boundaries, Church views Evangeline Vs. The Machine as an opportunity to expand his creative storytelling. “An album is a snapshot in time that lasts for all time,” Church explains. “I believe in that time-tested tradition of making records that live and breathe as one piece of art – I think it’s important.”
With a reputation for defying expectations, Church aims to keep fans on their toes. “I’ve always let creativity be the muse. It’s been a compass for me,” he shares. “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. 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.”
“Hands Of Time” and Its Meaning
The album’s lead single, “Hands Of Time,” is set to impact country radio on March 24. For Church, the song holds personal significance. “As I get older, I’m looking for things that make me feel not as old,” he reflects. “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.”
Listen to “Hands of Time” Now
Songs with Purpose
Beyond “Hands Of Time,” Evangeline Vs. The Machine includes other standout tracks with deep emotional resonance. “Darkest Hour” was released ahead of the album as part of relief efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Church has committed all publishing royalties from the song to support long-term recovery efforts in his home state of North Carolina. “That song had the chance to change things—it already has,” Church says. “The greatest concert I’ve ever played was the Concert for Carolina – that’s the greatest thing I’ve been involved with. This song played a big part of that night and is a rallying cry for the people there that still need a lot of help. As a person who writes and performs a song, seeing it truly impact people’s lives is the greatest thing you can hope to accomplish.”
Another emotionally charged track, “Johnny,” takes inspiration from “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and the Covenant School tragedy. Church previewed the song during his Chief’s To Beat The Devil residency and at the recent Country Radio Seminar, leaving audiences deeply moved. “About a year ago, we had a shooting here in Nashville at the Covenant School,” Church shared during CRS. “Where my kids go to school, my two boys, is about a mile from that school. I will tell you something, the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life – parent or otherwise – is dropping them off at that school the day after the shooting and watching them walk inside. I sat in the parking lot for a long time, and as fate would have it, as I was pulling out, Charlie Daniels was playing, ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia.’ I remember thinking, man, we could use Johnny right now, because the Devil’s not in Georgia, he’s everywhere. I went home and wrote ‘Johnny.’”
A New Era for Eric Church
With Evangeline Vs. The Machine, his first album since 2021’s Heart & Soul trilogy, Church continues to redefine modern country music on his own terms.
Fans can pre-order an Amazon Music exclusive Evangeline Vs. The Machine vinyl in translucent light blue via Amazon.com or directly in the Amazon Music app, with fast and free shipping for Prime members. For more information, visit EricChurch.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter/X (@ericchurch), and Instagram (@ericchurchmusic).
Evangeline Vs. The Machine Tracklist:
- Hands Of Time (Eric Church, Scooter Carusoe)
- Bleed On Paper (Tucker Beathard, Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell)
- Johnny (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Brett Warren)
- Storm In Their Blood (Eric Church)
- Darkest Hour (Eric Church)
- Evangeline (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Barry Dean)
- Rocket’s White Lincoln (Eric Church)
- Clap Hands (Tom Waits)
Full credits available on EricChurch.com.
