New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Waylon Payne turns the page to the third chapter of his unimaginably raw story with Act III of 'Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me,' out today, Fri., Aug. 7 (full, four-part album due Sept. 11) via Carnival Recording Company / EMPIRE. While the album's Act II pulled back the curtain on the darkest chapter of his life, Act III is the redemptive moment in which he finds his safe harbor.
The tender "Born To Lose" recounts the true intentions behind the friendships Payne formed during the peak of his drug addiction and accepts the reality of a life's thorn-on-a-rose moments. The album finds its culmination with "Back From The Grave," an up-beat anthem of redemption and salvation. Written with
Brandy Clark and Clint Lagerberg (Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts,
Blake Shelton), the song is the peak of Payne's story as a whole, the turning point at which he finds courage to change. Closing the third chapter is the dreamy "After The Storm," where it sees Payne healing and finding acceptance through looking back at the tempest from the safety of port.
Listen to 'Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me' Act III, here: empire.ffm.to/act3
"Act III of this album is so special because it features songs from a redemptive part of my life," says Payne. "I was able to co-write with some very dear friends -- one who was with me through part of this story, and others who helped me settle and feel at peace in Nashville. The final song rounds out my own thoughts and the beginning of my new life."
Here's what critics are saying about the record:
"[Waylon Payne] brings a delicate, poetically unguarded touch
to the role of the downhome troubadour." — NPR
"a stunner of an album" — Garden & Gun
"Payne's fascinating story only strengthens
these already incredible songs." — VICE noisey
'Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me' tracklist:
Act I
1. Sins of the Father (Waylon Payne)
2. Dead on a Wheel (Waylon Payne)
3. High Horse (Waylon Payne)
Act II
4. All the Trouble (Waylon Payne, Adam Wright, Lee Ann Womack)
5. Dangerous Criminal (Waylon Payne)
6.
Shiver (Waylon Payne)
Act III
7. Born to Lose (Waylon Payne, Tom Yankton)
8. Back From the Grave (Waylon Payne,
Brandy Clark, Clint Lagerberg)
9. After the
Storm (Waylon Payne)
For more information, visit waylonpaynemusic.com.