Eric Church surprised his fans Beyoncé-style on Nov. 4 by releasing his fifth album, Mr. Misunderstood with no warning.

Members of Church’s fan club received the new 10-song album on CD by mail and the album became available on iTunes during his performance of the album’s title track, “Mr. Misunderstood” at the CMA Awards. The official music video for the song was released after the award show.

The second song and title track for the album is “Mr. Misunderstood.” The autobiographical song starts slow then picks up tempo. It tells about Church’s journey from a young outcast in high school, to Beale Street and then to becoming a successful country music star.

Entertainment Weekly said “Mr. Misunderstood” is another battle cry for Church’s renegade niche.

“The singer looks back, remembering with his husky baritone, what it was like to not quite fit in and where that got him: to the center of Music City,” Entertainment Weekly reported.

The song is also reassurance for others who feel like outcasts with repeated lyrics that say, “Mr. Misunderstood/I understand.” If Church can go from “Mr. Misunderstood,” as he calls himself, to a superstar, then anyone can.

“Chattanooga Lucy” is the third track on the album and it is hard to sit still while listening to it. The most surprising aspect of the upbeat tune is Church’s high falsetto in contrast to his usually deep voice. 

Rolling Stone said the vocals and groove of “Chattanooga Lucy” are similar to that of “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones.

“Mixed Drinks About Feelings,” the fourth track, is a duet with blues singer Susan Tedeschi. The ballad beautifully tells the story of a man and woman, both in bars, who are learning how to live without each other. 

Wide Open Country said “Mixed Drinks About Feelings” is bluesy and sad, and it speaks to anyone who has had a broken heart.

“We’ve all been there and this song masterfully captures the feeling of confusion and hopelessness that comes with a breakup,” Wide Open Country   wrote.  “It’s just really well written, and provides plenty of ‘Damn, that’s a good line’ moments, plus the vocals will hit you straight in the gut.”

The sixth track is “Round Here Buzz,” another sad, yet relatable song. While the music is upbeat, the song tells the story of a man stuck in his hometown missing a woman who moved away and moved on. Church’s depiction of small-town life is spot-on and totally relatable.

Mr. Misunderstood ends with “Three Year Old,” an adorable song written about his two sons. The song tells about all the things he’s learned from his sons and how they have made him a better man.  “Walkin’ barefoot through the mud will knock the rust off of your soul / I learned that, from a three year old,” is just one example of the heartwarming lyrics from the song.

According to Rolling Stone, Church has performed “Three Year Old” in concert since July, but the song is better on the album.

“Church debuted the song solo during his Nashville concerts in July, but his intensity and good humor are more powerful on the album – it’s easily the project’s most endearing moment,” Rolling Stone wrote. 

Eric Church’s unexpected fifth album, Mr. Misunderstood, was a pleasant surprise for his fans.