Oliver Anthony releases debut album ‘Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Thoughts’

Oliver Anthony, the US singer-songwriter who went viral together with his tune ‘Wealthy Males North Of Richmond’ final yr, has launched his debut album.

• READ MORE: Who’s viral ‘Wealthy Males North Of Richmond’ singer Oliver Anthony and why is he controversial?

The country-folk artist dropped ‘Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Thoughts’ independently on Easter Sunday (March 31) which options beforehand launched songs interspersed with spoken-word Gospel passages.

Alongside tracks like ‘I’ve Bought to Get Sober’ and ‘Doggonit’ is one new tune known as ‘Momma’s Been Hurting’.

The artist collaborated with Dave Cobb on the manufacturing aspect of issues, whereas instrumental preparations had been recorded in “a once-vibrant-but-now-decaying church in Savannah, Georgia,” per a press launch.

In a press release (per Consequence) the artist – actual title Christopher Anthony Lunsford – shared: “’Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Thoughts’ is the story of my life, from 2013 till 2023. It’s supposed for the listener to sit down down in a quiet place, undistracted, and simply hear starting to finish. Each lyric, each notice – each every little thing – is deliberately positioned.”

He continued: “This album represents essentially the most pure and clear view inside my coronary heart and soul that I may provide. Whereas ‘Richmond’ was the tune that bought my title out within the public, this launch would be the true basis that I construct my monstrous catalog of latest songs to return off of.”

Elaborating in a put up on social media, the artist stated he felt “compelled” to launch the album on Easter Sunday due to “the grace that has been afforded to us by Jesus as he took on the whole sin of the world as a cost for us and our inequities”.

“That is an album for you, the individuals,” he added.

Anthony shot to fame final yr when a video of him performing his tune ‘Wealthy Males North of Richmond’ went viral.

The tune made chart historical past by debuting at Quantity One on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart, making Anthony the primary artist to take action with none prior chart historical past.

Nevertheless it additionally sparked controversy as a result of its lyrics. Whereas some praised it as a working class anthem for the downtrodden, others criticised it for being “fatphobic”, whereas some labelled it a “right-wing anthem”.

One lyrics sees Anthony punch down on the “overweight milkin’ welfare“, singing that that “for those who’re 5-foot-3 and also you’re 300 kilos / Taxes ought to not pay on your luggage of fudge rounds.”

The artist – a former manufacturing unit employee and farmer – got here out to say that left-wingers “misunderstood my phrases”, whereas on the identical time criticised Republicans for “weaponising” the that means behind the lyrics.

He additionally stated the talk across the tune was “actually humorous to observe”.

Anthony has since obtained reward from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and carried out with Papa Roach and Shinedown.