Eric Church has surprised his loyal fans by releasing a new album titled "Mr. Misunderstood," Rolling Stone reported. Members of the country star's fan club Church Choir received a copy of the new record in the mail Tuesday, and the album was made available digitally for non-fan club members just before Church took the stage at the 2015 Country Music Association Awards to perform its title track.
"Eric's new album Mr. Misunderstood is out now! Available on @applemusic," read an announcement posted to Church's official Twitter account Wednesday night.
The 10-track album is the follow-up to Church's hit 2014 album "The Outsiders." Jay Joyce, who produced "Outsiders," returned to lend his skill to Church's new album.
"It always takes me time to look for inspiration to make a new album," Church wrote in a statement obtained by Rolling Stone Country. "This time inspiration came looking for me. Together, we found Mr. Misunderstood. Today, it's yours."
Church performed the song "Mr. Misunderstood" during the CMA Awards ceremony, which was broadcasted live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, according to Rolling Stone Country. Church named-dropped music greats Elvis Costello, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Jeff Tweedy in the first verse's lyrics that are addressed to a rebellious teen outcast.
"Hey there, weird kid in your high-top shoes / Sitting in the back of the class, I was just like you," Church sang in the fifth verse.
See the full track list for Church's "Mr. Misunderstood" and watch his performance at the 2015 CMA Awards below.
1. Mr. Misunderstood
2. Mistress Named Music
3. Chattanooga Lucy
4. Mixed Drinks About Feelings
5. Knives of New Orleans
6. Round Here Buzz
7. Kill a Word
8. Holdin' My Own
9. Record Year
10. Three Year Old
