Church of the Outlaws
| Church of the Outlaws | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 27, 2025 | |||
| Recorded | 2024–2025 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 41:07 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Cameron Hawthorn chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Church of the Outlaws | ||||
| ||||
Church of the Outlaws is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Cameron Hawthorn, released independently on June 27, 2025.[1][2]
The album was written and produced by Hawthorn, with additional production of Damian van Dam and Neldrick Martis.[3] It spawned six singles, including the tracks "Wildflower", "Only Love" and "Kindred Spirit".[2]
Background and release
In November 2024, Hawthorn confirmed that his debut album is set to release in early 2025.[4] In an interview with the British magazine Scene, Hawthorn discussed the sound, making and journey of the album.[2] About his new sound, he said the album "incorporates dance beats and synths in a dark electronic soundscape, blended with my country roots, pedal steels and twangy guitars, and the stories I have to tell."[5] When asked about the journey and process behind the album, he said:
"I felt like I was losing steam a few years ago, and I met a fellow artist/filmmaker who really inspired me. He asked me to write a song ("Wildflower") for his film. [...] I had been trying to learn how to produce my own music, and after writing "Wildflower" I was really inspired to write and produce my own album."
— Cameron Hawthorn, to Dale Melita of Scene Magazine[6]
When asked about the story behind the album name, Hawthorn says:
"The first song I wrote for the album [...] was "Outlaw". When I started producing the track, I saved the project as Cowboy Church. The idea of "going to church" - but my kind of church - where you just dance and you're free to be whoever you want to be - was this idea that I couldn't get out of my mind. It ended up shaping the entire album. As far as the Outlaw part, I just resonate so much with the idea of being an Outlaw in life - an outsider and a rebel on their own journey - and I knew I wanted to create a space that invited all Outlaws to come together to escape and be free."
— Hawthorn, to Dale Melita of Scene Magazine[7]
On June 10, 2025, he confirmed the release date and details of his upcoming debut album, Church of the Outlaws, set to drop on June 27, 2025.[8] The album tracklist was revealed two days later.[9] The album was officially released independently on June 27 across all streaming services.[10]
Promotion
The album roll-out began in 2024 with the release of the lead single "Outlaw" on August 29, accompanied by its visualizer.[11][12] The track marked a shift in Hawthorn’s style, blending traditional country with elements of electronic dance music.[13] The following month, Hawthorn released the album’s second single "Natural", continuing with his new sound. It was released on September 26, accompanied by its visualizer.[14][15] On November 7, Hawthorn released the album’s third single, "Midnight Rider".[16][17] "Wildflower" served as the fourth single and Hawthorn’s final release of the year. It was featured in the Apple TV+ film F.L.Y.[18]
The rollout continued into 2025 with the release of two more singles: "Only Love", which dropped on January 31,[19][20] and "Kindred Spirit", the album’s sixth and most recent single, released on April 11.[21] Its music video, filmed in Thailand, was released alongside the album on June 27.[22][23]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Cameron Hawthorn.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Outlaw" |
| 4:17 | |
| 2. | "Natural" | Hawthorn |
| 4:16 |
| 3. | "In These Arms" | Hawthorn |
| 3:34 |
| 4. | "Nocturne_fog" | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 1:20 |
| 5. | "Only Love" | Hawthorn |
| 4:28 |
| 6. | "Midnight Rider" | Hawthorn |
| 3:41 |
| 7. | "Back and Born Again" | Hawthorn |
| 3:52 |
| 8. | "Moon_pond" | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 1:00 |
| 9. | "Redlight" | Hawthorn |
| 3:57 |
| 10. | "Kindred Spirit" | Hawthorn |
| 4:55 |
| 11. | "Sun_fire" | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 1:28 |
| 12. | "Wildflower" | Hawthorn |
| 4:11 |
Notes
- Tracks 1–3, 5–7, and 9–10 are stylized in all caps.
- Tracks 4, 8, and 11–12 are stylized in lowercase.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Spotify.[25]
- Cameron Hawthorn — performer, songwriter, producer
- Damian van Dam — producer
- Neldrick Martis — producer
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | June 27, 2025 | Self-released | [26][27] |
See also
References
- ^ "Cameron Hawthorn Releases Debut Album 'Church of the Outlaws', Thailand Set Video for 'Kindred Spirit' – Culture Fix". Culture Fix. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ a b c "INTERVIEW: Cameron Hawthorn unveils new album celebrating queer identity in country music". Scene Magazine. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ CHURCH OF THE OUTLAWS by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music, 2025-06-27, retrieved 2025-07-06
- ^ Cameron Hawthorn, @cmrnhwthrn (2024-11-25). "Cameron Hawthorn on Instagram: "I'm beyond excited to finally tell you I've been working on an album that will come out early 2025. It's been a ✧ journey ✧ getting to this point, but I'm creating music that gets me buzzing and I have been feeling the call to do an album for quite some time. Thank you for all of the love and support thus far. It pumps me up to hear that you're vibing with the new music, and I can't wait to share more of the story with you ❤️"". Instagram. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Cameron Hawthorn unveils new album celebrating queer identity in country music". Scene Magazine. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Cameron Hawthorn unveils new album celebrating queer identity in country music". 4 July 2025.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Cameron Hawthorn unveils new album celebrating queer identity in country music". 4 July 2025.
- ^ "@cmrnhwthrn: "When I say I have been waiting to say this, you have no idea: My album CHURCH OF THE OUTLAWS is coming June 27. Pre-save link up now." on Instagram". Instagram. 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ "@cmrnhwthrn: "Swipe ➡️ for the track list from my upcoming album CHURCH OF THE OUTLAWS coming June 27.." on Instagram". Instagram. 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ CHURCH OF THE OUTLAWS by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music, 2025-06-27, retrieved 2025-07-02
- ^ OUTLAW by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music, 2024-08-29, retrieved 2025-06-27
- ^ Cameron Hawthorn (2024-08-30). Cameron Hawthorn - OUTLAW (Visualizer). Retrieved 2025-07-06 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Cameron Hawthorn Fuses Country and Electronic Dancepop on New Single 'Outlaw' – Culture Fix". www.culturefix.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ NATURAL by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music, 2024-09-26, retrieved 2025-06-27
- ^ Cameron Hawthorn (2024-10-03). Cameron Hawthorn - NATURAL (Visualizer). Retrieved 2025-07-06 – via YouTube.
- ^ Delores, Bee (2024-11-15). "Cameron Hawthorn Calls You Away With 'Midnight Rider' (Review)". Countrypolitan Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ MIDNIGHT RIDER - Single by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music, 2024-11-07, retrieved 2025-06-27
- ^ wildflower - Single by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music, 2024-12-20, retrieved 2025-07-06
- ^ "Cameron Hawthorn Aims High with Only Love Review | CE News". www.countryeverywhere.com. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "Cameron Hawthorn Shoots For The Stars With 'Only Love' (Review)". Charted. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ KINDRED SPIRIT by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music, 2025-04-11, retrieved 2025-06-27
- ^ Slovacek, Randy (2025-06-19). "New Music: Cameron Hawthorn 'Kindred Spirit'". The Randy Report. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ Cameron Hawthorn (2025-06-19). Cameron Hawthorn - KINDRED SPIRIT. Retrieved 2025-07-06 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Church of the Outlaws". Spotify.
- ^ CHURCH OF THE OUTLAWS - Album by Cameron Hawthorn | Spotify, Spotify, 2025-06-27, retrieved 2025-07-06
- ^ "CHURCH OF THE OUTLAWS". CAMERON HAWTHORN OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "CHURCH OF THE OUTLAWS Cameron Hawthorn". SensCritique (in French). Retrieved 2025-07-12.