Oliver Anthony, the US singer-songwriter who went viral with his song ‘Rich Men North Of Richmond’ last year, has released his debut album.The country-folk artist dropped ‘Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Mind’ independently on Easter Sunday (March 31) which features previously released songs interspersed with spoken-word Gospel passages.Alongside tracks like ‘I’ve Got to Get Sober’ and ‘Doggonit’ is one new song called ‘Momma’s Been Hurting’.The artist collaborated with Dave Cobb on the production side of things, while instrumental arrangements were recorded in “a once-vibrant-but-now-decaying church in Savannah, Georgia,” per a press release.A post shared by Oliver Anthony (@oliver_anthony_music_)In a statement (per Consequence) the artist – real name Christopher Anthony Lunsford – shared: “’Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Mind’ is the story of my life, from 2013 until 2023.
It is intended for the listener to sit down in a quiet place, undistracted, and just listen beginning to end. Every lyric, every note – every everything – is intentionally placed.”He continued: “This album represents the most pure and transparent view inside my heart and soul that I could offer.
While ‘Richmond’ was the song that got my name out in the public, this release will be the true foundation that I build my monstrous catalog of new songs to come off of.”Elaborating in a post on social media, the artist said he felt “compelled” to release the album on Easter Sunday because of “the grace that has been afforded to us by Jesus as he took on the entire sin of the world as a payment for us and our inequities”.“This is an album for you, the people,” he added.Anthony shot to fame last year when a video of him performing his song ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’.
Read more on nme.com