Photo by Emma Delevante

Today, Tyler Childers unveiled the plans for a three-part album entitled, Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven? which will all release on Sept. 30 via Hickman Holler Records/RCA Records. The project will see the American singer and songwriter tackle the same eight songs in separate segments called Hallelujah, Jubilee, and Joyful Noise, respectively.

In conjunction with the announcement of the project, Childers released the lead single off the offering, “Angel Band.” In line with the ruminations behind the album, he shared both the Jubilee and Hallelujah versions showcasing the nuances in his sonic approach. The Hallelujah rendition features Childers and his band, The Food Stamps, live in a single room; while on the Jubilee takes, the country star stretches his limbs, adding horns, backing vocals, mbira, sitar, strings, and more to his compositions. As for the Joyful Noise additions, Childers is leaving that aspect shrouded and won’t reveal the versions of the songs until the full release of the project.

Of Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?, Childers said:

I grew up Baptist and I was scared to death to go to hell. And a lot of that stuck with me. Filtering through that and trying to find the truth, and the beauty, and the things you should think about and expelling all that nonsense has been something I’ve spent a lot of time on. This is a collection that came together through those reflections. In a lot of ways, this is processing life experiences in the different philosophies and religions that have formed me, trying to make a comprehensive sonic example of that.

Working with the same song three different ways is a nod to my raising, growing up in a church that believes in the Holy Trinity: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and what that means. The Father being the root, the place from which everything comes from, and The Son coming to free up some of those things, allowing it to be more open and welcoming. And then you have the Holy Ghost once The Son is gone — that feeling that’s supposed to keep us sustained until we are reunited, in whatever way that looks.

Message wise, I hope that people take that it doesn’t matter race, creed, religion and all of that like — the most important part is to protect your heart, cultivate that and make that something useful for the world.

The Jubilee version of “Angel Band” was shared with an accompanying music video directed by Bryan Schlam. The clip follows Childers aimlessly working in the countryside until he is kicked in the head by a horse. On the verge of death, he’s greeted by a vision of his life illuminated, the same work and field flooded with glory and joy. Childers was known for vices and incorporated them into his music in the past, but since going off the grid following his 2020 bluegrass LP Long Violent History, he’s made his new outlook on life marginally public.

In the past year, Childers has made a few appearances, notably with Bob Weir during his celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ace at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and with the Travelin’ McCoruys at DelFest. He’s also set to play two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sept. 28 and 29, just days before the release of Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?

Pre-order Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven? here.

Listen to both the  Hallelujah and Jubilee versions of “Angel Band” below.

Tracklist
1. Old Country Church
2. Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
3. Two Coats
4. Purgatory
5. Way of the Triune God
6. Angel Band
7. Jubilee
8. Heart You Been Tendin’