Eric Church released his eighth studio album, Evangeline vs. the Machine, on Friday (May 2), and the eight tracks on the record showcase the country superstar’s imaginative approach to his music with an unconventional blend of strings, horns, and a choir on each song. In a new interview with Variety ahead of the album’s release, Church discussed his commitment to individuality and creativity in his work, while emphasizing the struggle between artistic expression and the mass-produced nature of the industry. Church says the record represents “a dichotomy between creativity and the machine that that creativity has to live and breathe in,” while adding that, “as I’ve gotten older, it becomes harder and harder to be able to embrace what that creative spirit is. When the next thing comes along quickly, you kind of lose the specialness of the moment of that creativity.” Church’s Free the Machine fall 2025 arena tour gets underway on September 12 in Pittsburgh, with support coming from Elle King, Marcus King Band, and Charles Wesley Godwin on select dates. (Variety)