Liar

"The visual is as stark as the message of the song, with Jelly standing in the middle of a dilapidated living room while singing to his reflection in a mirror and vowing that the dark voices in his head will not get him down again."

(Jessica Lynch / billboard.com, August 2nd, 2024)

In April of 2024, Jelly Roll performed the song 'Liar' for the first time in front of an audience. But during his performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, he still seemed unsure. "I feel like this is a safe place to play a new song," he explained to the audience. "We might not ever release this song. We're just gonna play it for y'all and see if it works."

When he later performed the song in front of a large audience at the Academy of Country Music ( ACM ) Awards in May of 2024, it was the official start for new music from his coming second major label album: "I felt like it was important to start the new era of music at the ACMs because [so much of it began there for me]."

On August 2, 2024, 'Liar' became the official second single (after the number 1 hit 'I Am Not Okay') from the new album "Beautifully Broken", which was released in two versions two months later, in early October.

Jelly Roll co-wrote the song with Ben Johnson, Ashley Gorley, and Taylor Phillips, who had previously contributed in various combinations as writers to his previous single as well as the Nate Smith hit 'Bulletproof'. The song's lyrics are intended to encourage people not to be fooled by false temptations and promises. Or as Jessica Lynch writes at billboard.com: "'Liar' boldly confronts addiction and materialism’s emptiness."

Saying, "Drink another whiskey,
pop another pill,
money makes you happy,
heaven isn't real.
You won't find nobody to love,
because your heart's too broke."
Now I know,

you ain't nothin' but a liar.

(Liar / Jelly Roll, Ben Johnson, Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips)

The fact that the song, which burns with gospel passion, has been at number 1 for the fifth week in a row on the radio (Billboard Country Airplay) chart of March 22nd, 2025, shows how much the topic has an obvious appeal to many people. In addition it means that 'Liar' not only becomes another number 1 hit for Jelly Roll, like all of his previous five country singles, but that it has held the position longer than all of its predecessors.

Its positive message makes the rousing song an anthem for Jelly Roll, who one likes to picture as a fire-and-brimstone preacher of encouragement for all of life's difficult situations. It's one reason for his popularity as a person, but also for the commercial success of the Jelly Roll phenomenon. And so it sounds completely authentic when he proclaims with passionate voice: "The devil is a liar!"

The artist, burdened by his health, actually wanted to take a step back in 2025 and not embark on a major tour. But then Post Malone came calling in November of 2024 and wanted Jelly Roll as his opener for his own Big Ass Stadium Tour (2025). A tour that was extended to Europe via a February announcement. And so, according to tour information, Jelly Roll (opening for Post Malone) will also be performing for the first time on August 13, 2025, in St. Pölten, Austria, as part of the Frequency Festival. Although the official festival website has so far remained silent on this ...