One of the album’s most poignant moments comes in the form of “She,” a song penned to shine a light on addiction. While “Behind Bars” has him trading verses with Gilbert and Jennings, lamenting that “ most my friends are behind bars,” “Unlive” finds him accompanied by rapper Yelawolf as they admit “you can’t unlive where you’re from.” Jelly’s background in hip hop weaves its way through songs like “Behind Bars” and “Unlive,” two of the more unique tracks on the LP. “You don’t think I know I’m the jester before your throne.” “Nail me to the cross outside of your ivory tower // Where you sit so high on that horse you rode // As I sit here alone, So hit me with the stones you cast, your shadow looks back while you stare through glass,” He sings.

The Lambert co-penned “The Lost” is a rock laden ode to being a misfit, the country star proclaiming “I’m better with the lost than the found,” musing “You’d be surprised at the places I find Jesus.” Alternatively, both “Church” and “Nail Me” find the Tennessee native leaning more into his country roots, as “Church” finds him finding God in a truck, while “Nail” shines a light on hypocrisy among those who proclaim their Christianity, but turn their back on him. Likewise, “The Lost,” “Church,” “Dancing with the Devil,” and “Nail Me” explore similar themes. Over roaring guitars, he proclaims, “I don’t know if I’m halfway to heaven or halfway to hell // My angels and demons at war with myself // One foot in the fire and I still can’t tell // Am I halfway to heaven, halfway to heaven or hell?” Opening with “Halfway to Hell,” Jelly Roll immediately sets the stage for what’s to come in the form of a blazing uptempo which finds him a walking contradiction, struggling with where he stands. These themes weave their way through almost all of the songs on Whitsitt Chapel, with Jelly Roll offering both lyrical and vocal brilliance through his delivery. While much of the album is autobiographical, it’s also very much a concept album, dealing with the battles of a man torn between heaven and hell, addiction and sobriety, falling and faith. Real music for real people with real problems.” “I believe the worst feeling a person can have is feeling hopeless or worthless. I wanted to create a project that felt hopeful,” He says in a statement. “This album is about growth and gratitude happening in my life. Yet, the singer-songwriter isn’t hiding who he is. Throughout Whitsitt Chapel, named after the church Jelly grew up attending, there’s often a battle between faith and felony, Jelly musically struggling with both his past and his present, his angels and his demons. Other contributors to the album include Miranda Lambert, Hardy, Brantley Gilbert, and Ashley McBryde, while he also trades verses with Gilbert, Struggle Jennings, Yelawolf, and Lainey Wilson.

Today, June 2, the musical enigma released his debut country LP, featuring thirteen new co-written tracks. This is evident through Whitsitt Chapel, which finds the former convict dabbling in everything from pure country to anthemic rock to beat-laden hip-hop and rap. Yet, without question, the BMG/Stoney Creek Records is a vocalist who would undoubtedly find a home in any genre. With a talent that effortlessly transitions between poignant ballads and arena-ready rock anthems, Jelly Roll is the kind of artist who would have the coaches on The Voice shocked upon turning their chairs. With a background in hip-hop and rap, a transition to country may not have seemed the most logical step, until you hear his voice. The singer-songwriter spent 25 unprecedented, consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Emerging Artist Chart, breaking the record for the most weeks spent at #1, and his debut country album exemplifies why. Instead, the Nashville native is an immediate wildfire, burning up the char ts and leaving nothing in his wake. There are some artists who spark the country scene as an ember, burning slowly and steadily until they finally reach stardom. Jelly Roll releases his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, out now, June 2nd on all streaming platforms.

Ho sings roll with it baby