Eric Church’s current single “Hell Of A View” from his album Soulrises to the top of the country music charts this week, marking the eleventh number-one single of his career.
As his triple album Heart,&, and Soul continues to amass millions of streams by fans everywhere, Eric Church’s lead single off Soul is making waves on the charts. This week the Chief’s song “Hell Of A View” is the number one song on the country charts. This marks the eleventh number-one single of his career.
Throughout his long career, Church has been somewhat of a dark horse and an outlaw. He writes and releases music strictly for the fans. Six of his singles have reached the top of the charts, including fan favorites like “Springsteen,” “Record Year,” and most recently, “Some of It.”
Additionally, the singer-songwriter collaborated on four additional singles that rose to the number one spot. This includes Luke Combs’ “Does to Me” and his song with Keith Urban, “Raise ‘Em Up.”
It is a no-brainer that Church’s “Hell Of A View” soared to the top of the charts. The song was an instant favorite! We love that it commemorates all that Church fans have come to love about the singer. It is a tried and true personification of the unwavering talent that Church has.
“This ain’t for everybody // Toes hanging off the ledge // Like we got nothin’ to lose // Ain’t always heaven, baby // This living’ on the edge // You holdin’ me, holdin’ you / It’s a hell of a view”
Overall, it is only a matter of time until more of the Chief’s singles hit the top of the charts. Until then, congrats to Church and his team for another number one song!
Join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Eric Church releases.
“Hell Of A View” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music‘ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eric-church.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2021-05-24 16:03:222021-05-24 16:03:22Eric Church’s “Hell Of A View” Lands Him His 10th Number One Song
It has been a year without live music, and we still desperately miss country music concerts. However, we see the light at the end of the tunnel with artists like Eric Church and Kane Brown announcing future tour dates! Until then though, here are the 8 things we miss the most about country music concerts.
The Good Vibes
There is absolutely nothing like listening to live music. The atmosphere, the adrenaline, the artists, the fans, absolutely EVERYTHING feels magical. We cannot wait for that feeling again!
The Sound of Live Music
Albums and records are great, but there is nothing quite like hearing your favorite artist perform live. There are so many artists that we cannot wait to see as soon as we get back to some resemblance of normalcy.
The Tailgate
If you have ever joined us at a show, especially at Jones Beach, then you know how much we love to tailgate! The tailgate sets the tone for the rest of the night and allows fans to connect and bond over the music.
Connecting with Other Fans
One of the things we love most about NYCountry Swag is getting to connect with our followers at live shows by some of our favorite artists all across New York City and Long Island.
Singing Along to Every Song
This one goes without saying. We even miss the raspy voice you get the day after the concert from singing your heart out for three hours straight!
The $15 Beers at the Venue
What we would do to pay that much for a beer right now…
Discovering new music acts to love
Although we pride ourselves on being tastemakers in the industry and always know all the acts performing at concerts, we love watching our friends and other fans experience a new artist for the first time. We’ll never forget when Tenille Townes took the stage as an opener at Dierks Bentley’s concert, and how crazy everyone went for the newcomer.
Hearing Our Favorite Song Live
At this point, we have a whole list of songs that we cannot wait to hear live! We’re sure you do too!
Let us know, what are you missing most about concerts?! and sure to check out the full list of upcoming tours here.
Join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future tour announcements, ticket giveaways, and more.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/tailgate-nycs.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2021-04-28 11:28:372021-04-28 11:28:378 Things We Miss the Most About Country Music Concerts
Eric Church’s new album, Soul, is available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. The record marks the last of 3 new albums released by Church this month, including ‘&’ and ‘Heart‘.. Read our first impression review of ‘Soul’ below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.
Eric Church’s last of three new albums, ‘Soul’ available everywhere now, April 23rd
For Eric Church fans, the final piece of his incredible Heart & Soulcollection is Soul, released today, April 23. Following in the footsteps of Heartand &, Soul shows Church stretching himself musically, sampling different sounds and truly making another standout record. Out of the three new releases, Soul is sonically the most diverse of Church’s offerings, truly living up to its name.
Soul opens with the grooving “Rock & Roll Found Me,” which tells the tale of a “skinny little white kid,” whose life was changed when he discovered music. He compares it to his faith and to a drug, a new addiction for a kid from the wrong side of the tracks. “I turned on my amps and all at once my blind could see,” He proclaims. “Yeah when rock and roll found me.”
Church continues to explore his soulful side throughout this project with songs like “Where I Wanna Be” and “Look Good And You Know It.” The latter track mixes driving guitars with a breakdown that actually sounds like an old doo-wop song, Church seamlessly trading vocals with the female background singers. Meanwhile, “Where I Wanna Be” also shows Church experimenting musically and vocally, his voice sliding into a falsetto as he croons, “And I’m down, I’m game, I’m in, I’m free // Wherevеr she is that’s where I wanna bе.”
“Break It Kind of Guy,” is classic Church with a twist, the chorus almost venturing into Bee Gees-esque territory, while “Bad Mother Trucker” continues in that similar vein, as its Church dialed up to eleven. The breakdown midway through is truly something special, and we cannot wait to hear this live.
While Church is experimenting with different sounds and styles here, there’s also some tried and true Chief on Soul. This is exemplified on one of the album’s highlights, “Hell of a View,” Church singing of life with him, “This ain’t for everybody // Toes hanging off the ledge // Like we got nothin’ to lose // Ain’t always heaven, baby // This livin’ on the edge // You holdin’ me holdin’ you // It’s a hell of a view.”
Likewise, “Jenny” is a mid-tempo country song that Church debuted at this year’s Country Radio Seminar, revealing to those in attendance that it was inspired by a broken generator.
Soulends with “Lynyrd Skynard Jones,” the only track not co-written by Church. Written by his frequent collaborator Casey Beathard, the song reveals the story of an Alabama boy whose mother was a big fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, “born to carry on who his mother was a fan of.” Church tells the haunting tale over a simple acoustic guitar, a twist coming in the song’s final line. While Eric Church can rock with the best of them, he’s also one of the genre’s finest storytellers, as evidenced on “Lynyrd Skynard Jones.”
Soul is Church’s most eclectic collection yet, beginning with “Rock & Roll Found Me,” and we’re so glad it did, as it’s impossible to imagine a world without Eric Church’s music.
NYCS Picks:
Hell of a View
Break It Kind of Guy
Look Good and You Know It
Eric Church’s three-album project, ‘Heart’, ‘&’, ‘Soul’, April 2021
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Eric Church releases.
Soul is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/triple-album-church-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2021-04-23 00:21:442021-04-23 00:21:44Eric Church: ‘Soul’ – Album Review
Eric Church’s new album, ‘&’ is available now, April 20th, exclusively on vinyl to members of his fan club, The Church Choir. It’s the second of 3 new albums to be released by Church this month, including Heart, released on April 16th, and Soul, due out April 23rd. Read our first impression review of ‘&‘ below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.
Eric Church’s ‘&’ is available now, April 20th, exclusively on vinyl to members of his fan club, The Church Choir, only.
If you want to hear the second piece of Eric Church’s Heart & Soulcollection, ‘&’, you need to be a member of his Church Choir fan club, and you need to own a record player. Released exclusively on vinyl (at least for now), the six-track collection is the second of three albums released this month by Church. Last Friday, April 16th, he shared his Heart, and he’ll share his Soul this Friday, April 23rd.
Overall, ‘&’ shows Church’s sensitive and introspective side, the majority of the songs lean towards being more low-key and mid-tempo. The exception is “Do Side,” a guitar-driven track that puts Church’s rock influences on full display. On here, he’s the left behind and not the leaver, remarking “Yeah, the player got played.” However, the emotional change of pace is a welcomed one, as he realizes that he might have gotten what he needed, finding himself on the “do side of a give a damn.”
As a release solely for his devoted fans, much of ‘&’ pays homage to those who have been loyal to Church since the beginning. The opening track, “Through My Ray-Bans,” is a heartfelt ode to the Chief’s view every night from the stage. “Everybody’s got their arms around // Everybody else’s shoulders // Guarding against the world outside // Like an army of Friday night soldiers,” He sings. “The battle wages tomorrow // But tonight you don’t give a damn // Wish you could stay the way I see you // Through my Ray-Bans.”
On “Doing Life With Me,” Church continues to show his softer side on this musical thank you to his wife, and all of those special people “doing life with him.” It’s a beautiful track, perfect for first dances and wedding receptions, with Church singing, “Spend my living giving thanks // For the ships I never sank // Every big, every little in the everyday things // The notes and the words and the songs I sing // To the ones doing life with me.”
Church is also heartbroken on ‘&’, as evidenced on “Kiss Her Goodbye” and “Mad Man.” The former tells the clever tale of all of the places he loves to kiss someone, except now he can’t bring himself to “kiss her goodbye.” On “Mad Man,” he sings of a man driven crazy by his lost love. While this track starts off slow, it picks up with a blistering guitar solo in the second half, Church’s vocals shining as he proclaims he’s “like a mad man.”
The album ends with “Lone Wolf,” another epic track that builds and explodes with meaning. “Yeah, this lone wolf is done runnin’ down the moon // In the daylight dark of the night this heart is howlin’ for you,” He sings, “Yeah, this lone wolf ain’t lonely anymore // ‘Cause you weren’t afraid to reach out and save a lone wolf at your door.”
While ‘&’ is shrouded in a bit of mystery due to the exclusivity of its release, it features six solid new tracks that Church devotees are sure to love. However, for those who aren’t yet members of the Church Choir, ‘&’ might just make the membership worth the investment.
NYCS Picks:
Through My Ray-Bans
Doing Life With Me
Kiss Her Goodbye
Eric Church’s three-album project, ‘Heart’, ‘&’, ‘Soul’, April 2021
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Eric Church releases.
Check out recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/triple-album-church-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2021-04-20 23:17:552021-04-20 23:17:55Eric Church: ‘&’ – Album Review
Last Night, April 18th, The 56th Annual ACM Awards show aired live on CBS from Nashville. Hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, the special show was full of one-of-a-kind moments and epic performances as the country music family honored the highest talents of 2021 celebrating the best of the best in the genre.
Nashville’s brightest stars, and even some real, non-cardboard cutout fans, headed to music city for the special night. Like last year, the show took place over several locations across Nashville including the Station Inn, Bluebird Café, Riverfront Park, Ryman Auditorium, and the Grand Ole Opry. While many received much-deserved honors and recognition throughout the night, it was ultimately Luke Bryan who took home the show’s most prestigious award, Entertainer of the Year for the third time in his career.
The night was full of first-time performances and collaborations. Miranda Lambert and Elle King kicked off the show with their exciting, cross-genre smash, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”
This was followed by Chris Young and Kane Brown’s chart-climbing hit, “Famous Friends.” Brown’s video for “Worldwide Beautiful” won Video of the Year earlier this week as well. Lambert took the stage again to sing backing vocals for Chris Stapleton on their rendition of his emotional tune, “Maggie’s Song” from his latest album, Starting Over. The record was awarded Album of the Year later in the show.
Right before Thomas Rhett asked fans “What’s Your Country Song?” he debuted his newest track, “Country Again,” off his upcoming record of the same name, due out next Friday, April 30th. Blanco Brown announced the first award of the night, Group of the Year, to Old Dominion, making it their fourth consecutive win in the category.
One of country music’s favorite couples, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd sang their latest love song “Chasing After You” making for a spectacular duet, giving off Tim McGraw and Faith Hill vibes. Next, Lady A performed their latest female-empowerment anthem, “Like a Lady” at Riverfront Park. Later, Darius Rucker presented Morris with the Song of the Year for “The Bones.” She thanked her co-writers and the person who inspired the song, her husband, Hurd.
Country music wasn’t the only genre represented last night. Dierks Bentley paid tribute to bluegrass music and the late owner of the Station Inn, JT Gray, who passed away last month, with a performance of “Pride (In The Name of Love) alongside The War and Treaty. Carrie Underwood, who honored women in country music at last year’s ACMs with a melody of hits, performed a melody of Christian songs from her latest album, My Savior last night, including “Amazing Grace,” “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “Old Rugged Cross,” and “How Great Thou Art.” She was joined by gospel artist, CeCe Winans.
Lambert took the stage for the third and final time alongside Jack Ingram and Jon Randall to perform “In His Arms,” from their upcoming project, The Marfa Tapes. Jimmie Allen, who earlier this week was awarded Best New Male Artist, was surprised by Brad Paisley who snuck up on him at the Bluebird Café to join him in singing their collaborative track and current single, “Freedom Was A Highway”.
“I Hope Your Happy Now,” which won Musical Event of the Year earlier this week, also won the Single of the Year during the show. Lee Brice and Carly Pearce showed their excitement walking up to the stage. The two displayed their dominant vocals on the number one song later in the show, as well.
Kenny Chesney delivered a powerful performance of his new single, “Knowing You” from the Ryman Auditorium. After the song, members of the country community who lost their lives this past year — Mac Davis, JT Gray, Charley Pride, and many others — were honored on the screen. Chesney later joined Kelsea Ballerini on stage to honor Knoxville, Tennessee in an intimate performance of their song, “Half of My Hometown.”
Country icon, Alan Jackson returned to the ACM stage last night with performances of “Drive” and “Always Be My Baby,” in honor of his daughter’s recent wedding. Another country legend, Blake Shelton sang his debut single “Austin” in honor of its 20thanniversary, then followed it with a performance of his most recent single, “Minimum Wage.” After, Dan + Shay were awarded with another Duo of the Year, making it their third-straight. They performed their touching new single, “Glad You Exist” earlier in the show.
Both hosts got their chance to take the stage – Mickey Guyton sang “Hold On” from the motion picture Breakthrough and Keith Urban displayed his guitar skills during his performance of “Tumbleweed,” from his latest album, THE SPEED OF NOW Part 1.
Reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, Thomas Rhett took home the Male Artist of the Year, while Maren Morris won Female Artist of the Year. She gave recognition to all the hard-working ladies in the category during her speech.
Before the Entertainer of the Year award was given to Luke Bryan, Little Big Town performed their fun, current single, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” on the streets of Lower Broadway in Nashville. Brothers Osborne, who previously performed “Not For Everyone,” closed out the night with another song from their Skeletons album, “Dead Man’s Curve.”
Other notable performances included Eric Church, who sang a song from his brand-new album, Heart, “Bunch of Nothing;” Luke Combs, who was backed by an entire orchestra sang “Forever After All;” Ashley McBryde gave a fiery performance of her song “Martha Divine;” and Gabby Barrett, who took home New Female Artist of the Year earlier this week, sang her single “The Good Ones.”
Click here to see a full list of winners and follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more special moments from the show.
Fans can also join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.
To keep up with the Academy of Country Music follow along here on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Check out the full list of winners from the show here and follow along on Instagram, @NYCountrySwag for more special moments from the show.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/acm-performances.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Dylan Bestlerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngDylan Bestler2021-04-19 10:14:432021-04-19 10:38:222021 ACM Awards: The Complete Recap – Winners, Performances & More
Tonight, April 18th, 2021, The 56th Annual ACM Awards show aired live on CBS from Nashville. Hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, the special show was full of one-of-a-kind moments and epic performances as the country music family honored the highest talents of 2021 celebrating the best of the best.
Ending the three-hour-long show, was the most prestigious award of the night, “Entertainer of the Year”. Up for the honor were Luke Combs, Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, and Luke Bryan. Ultimately taking home the award was: LUKE BRYAN
Check out the full list of winners from the show here and follow along on Instagram, @NYCountrySwag for more special moments from the show.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.
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The 2021 ACM Awards took place on Sunday, April 18th at 8PM ET on CBS. Check below for the full list of winners.
Normally airing from Las Vegas, this year the annual event returned to Nashville for a live broadcast for the second consecutive year following significant changes to the show due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The show featured incredible performances happening across different iconic music venues in Music City like Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and The Bluebird Cafe.
The 56th Annual ACM Awards included epic performances from the biggest names in country music, including Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Taylor Swift, Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd, Chris Young & Kane Brown, Dierks Bentley, and so many more.
Check out the list below for all of the night’s winners and follow along on Instagram, @NYCountrySwag for more special moments from the show.
FULL LIST OF 2021 ACM AWARDS WINNERS —
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Luke Bryan ** WINNER
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Lady A
Little Big Town Old Dominion ** WINNER
The Cadillac Three
The Highwomen
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs Thomas Rhett ** WINNER
Chris Stapleton
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde Maren Morris ** WINNER
Carly Pearce
DUO OF THE YEAR:
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne Dan + Shay ** WINNER
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]:
Bluebird – Miranda Lambert
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Record Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville
I Hope – Gabby Barrett
– Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
I Hope You’re Happy Now – Carly Pearce & Lee Brice ** WINNER
– Producers: busbee
– Record Label: Big Machine Records / Curb Records
More Hearts Than Mine – Ingrid Andress
– Producers: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
The Bones – Maren Morris
– Producer: Greg Kurstin
– Record Label: Columbia Nashville
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Ingrid Andress
Tenille Arts Gabby Barrett ** WINNER
Mickey Guyton
Caylee Hammack
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Jimmie Allen ** WINNER
Travis Denning
HARDY
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
SONG OF THE YEAR *Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s):
Bluebird – Miranda Lambert
– Songwriter(s): Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby
– Publishers: Emileon Songs; Little Louder Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs of Universal, INC; Sony ATV Tree Publishing; Wrucke for You Publishing
One Night Standards – Ashley McBryde
– Songwriter(s): Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally
– Publishers: Canned Biscuit Songs; Smackworks Music; Smack Blue, LLC; Smackstreet Music; Tempo Investments; Warner Geo Met Ric Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
Some People Do – Old Dominion
– Songwriter(s): Jesse Frasure, Matt Ramsey, Thomas Rhett, Shane McAnally
– Publishers: Carrot Seed Songs; EMI Blackwood Music INC; Smackville Music; Songs of ROC Nation; Telemitry Rhythm House Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp; Smack Hits; Tempo Investments; Warner Gro Met Ric Music
Starting Over – Chris Stapleton
– Songwriter(s): Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson
– Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Straight Six Music; WC Music Corp
The Bones – Maren Morris ** WINNER
– Songwriter(s): Jimmy Robbins, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz
– Publishers: Big Machine Music, LLC; Extraordinary Alien Publishing; International Dog Music; Oh Denise Publishing; Round Hill Songs; Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Corp.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR *Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s): Born Here Live Here Die Here – Luke Bryan
– Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens
– Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Mixtape Vol. 1 – Kane Brown
– Producers: Andrew Goldstein, Charlie Handsome, Dann Huff, Lindsay Rimes
– Record Label: RCA Nashville
Never Will – Ashley McBryde
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville
Starting Over – Chris Stapleton ** WINNER
– Producers: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb
– Record Label: Mercury Nashville
Follow us on Twitter and check out some of our live tweets from the show, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.
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It looks like it won’t be much longer until we can all enjoy some live music again! Check out which artists have announced tours so far for the upcoming 2021-22 season…
Thomas Rhett – The Center Point Road Tour with Cole Swindell & Gabby Barrett – More Info
Brothers Osborne – The We’re Not For Everyone Tour with Tenille Townes & Travis Denning – More Info
Kane Brown – The Blessed & Free Tour with Jordan Davis, Chase Rice, & Restless Road – More Info
Little Big Town – The Nightfall Tour Returns – More Info
Join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future tour announcements, ticket giveaways, and more.
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Eric Church’s new album, Heart, is available now, April 16th, on all streaming platforms. The record marks the first of 3 new albums to be released by Church this month, including ‘&’ and ‘Soul‘, which will come next week. Read our first impression review of ‘Heart‘ below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.
Eric Church’s first of three new albums, ‘Heart’ available everywhere now, April 16th
There are few artists as unique and innovative as Eric Church. Determined to bend the conventions of the music industry, Church continues down that path with the first release of his three-part collection, Heart & Soul. Heart is out today (April 16), followed by ‘&’ on April 20 (released exclusively on vinyl to members of his fan club, The Church Choir), and Soul on April 23. Each part of the collection was born during Church’s month-long retreat to the mountains of North Carolina, where he collaborated with famed producer Jay Joyce on 24 new explosive and introspective tracks, each with a unique sound and story.
The album opens with “Heart On Fire,” and it’s immediately apparent that Church is back and better than ever, ready to do something different on this record. One of the highlights of many of Church’s recent releases has been the use of a female background vocalist, and this is on full display here, as is a mean guitar solo that begins around the 2:25 mark.
“Heart of the Night” tells the tale of escaping a suffocating life, and the staccato delivery of “Let’s point this thing west //into the chest // of the still-beating heart of the night” is one of our favorite things we’ve heard in a long time. The bridge takes on a life of its own as it completely changes melodically, venturing into almost Broadway-esque territory, and it’s clear we’re witnessing something special on this album.
“Russian Roulette” is a clever take on that moment when a song can literally cripple you. Church assures us that he’s doing okay, but he needs to avoid those songs that will strike him like a bullet, “messing up my head, playing Russian Roulette with the radio.” This is such a relatable topic that those who know and love music can most certainly relate to, as everyone has a song, or songs, that can bring you to your knees. “I need a melody without a memory,” He pleads. “Take me where I’ve never been // I hear ‘em gunnin’ for me // I feel ‘em huntin’ for me // But I ain’t tunin’ them in.”
Church also continues to celebrate humanity in different ways on “People Break” and “Never Break Heart.” The first is a slow homage to heartbreak. “People break, people try // Things happen people cry // Someone leaves, love dies,” Church sings over the melancholy music. “Someone changes their mind // Baby I get it I really do // But now I gotta go and do the hardest part // Break the news to a broken heart.”
As usual, Church isn’t one to stay quiet when it comes to the realness of life, tackling some of life’s toughest topics on “Stick That In Your Country Song”, which is interestingly the only song on this collection that he didn’t co-write. Profiled on the cover of Billboard for encouraging fans to receive the COVID vaccine, Church is open to singing and talking about everything.
The album goes out with a bang, just as it began. “Bunch of Nothing” shows a different side of Church, a more twangy up-tempo than we’re used to from the Chief, lending itself midway through to a hand-clapping musical interlude that is sure to have you bopping along.
The final song on Heart is “Love Shine Down,” a track that builds from a sparse slow tempo to a full-out Gospel-inspired jam. Here, Church gives a nod to one of his earliest hits, “Sinners Like Me,” as he sings, “It’s cold and it’s dark in this sinner’s heart // Lady let your love shine down.”
Eric Church’s Heart is a unique and genre-bending release, showing different sides of Church, and if it’s any indication of what’s to come, we can’t wait for the next two releases from Heart & Soul.
NYCS Picks:
Heart of the Night
People Break
Russian Roulette
Eric Church’s three-album project, ‘Heart’, ‘&’, ‘Soul’, April 2021
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Eric Church releases.
Heart is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/triple-album-church-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2021-04-16 00:03:072021-04-16 00:03:07Eric Church: ‘Heart’ – Album Review
Eric Church has released some of the biggest hits in country music over the last few years. Here are some of our favorite lyrics that would make perfect captions for your Instagram feed.
“I thank God I ain’t what I almost was.” – “What I Almost Was,” Sinners Like Me
“Turn the quiet up, turn the noise down. Let this ol’ world just spin around.” – “Smoke A Little Smoke,” Carolina
“All you got to do is put a drink in my hand.” – “Drink In My Hand,” Chief
“Funny how a melody sounds like a memory.” – “Springsteen,” Chief
“Most days in life don’t stand out, but life’s about the days that will.” – “Talladega,” The Outsiders
Yeah, you’re out there now doin’ God knows how, and I’m stuck here havin’ a record year.” – “Record Year,” Misunderstood
“None of it ever comes easy, A bunch of it you maybe can’t use. I know I don’t probably know what I think I do, but there’s somethin’ to some of it.” – “Some of It,” Desperate Man
Don’t let fear steal your brave heart. Don’t let doubt take your faith heart. It’s okay to cry, but don’t never break heart.” – “Never Break Heart,” Heart
“No hand in the deck can beat a pair of hearts.” – “Through My Ray-Bans,” &
“You holdin’ me holdin’ you, it’s a hell of a view.” – “Hell of a View,” Soul
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Eric Church releases.
Take a listen to Eric Church’s most popular tracks below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music‘ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/EricChurch.jpg?fit=480%2C288&ssl=1288480Dylan Bestlerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngDylan Bestler2021-04-15 09:04:002021-04-15 09:04:00Eric Church Lyrics To Use As The Perfect Instagram Captions
