Ryan Adams’ forthcoming album Big Colors has just been dropped from its scheduled release on April 19, according to Pitchfork and various other media outlets. The album has also been removed from Adams’ own label Pax-Am’s website, iTunes and Apple Music. The cancellation of the album is in light of emotional manipulation to sexual misconduct allegations made public in a New York Times article.
Yesterday, Pitchfork reported that the FBI has opened an investigation under Adams’ after several women accused him of multiple forms of abuse. These women include Mandy Moore, the musician and actress who was once married to Adams, indie singer Phoebe Bridgers and singer-songwriter Courtney Jaye. The New York Times article claims that the women and several associates “described a pattern of manipulative behavior in which Adams dangled career opportunities while simultaneously pursuing female artists for sex.”
One of the women who claims she had these interactions was a young female musician named Ava who was 14-years-old when she first got in contact with him. She allegedly began by building an online relationship with Adams that, over time, led to sexual conversations and she says there was at least one instance where Adams explicitly exposed himself over Skype. The investigation is said to be in “its earliest stages,” and trying to get in contact to interview Ava, who is now 20. Ava’s lawyer reportedly declined to comment on the issue when spoken with the Times.
The Times had chosen to identify Ava by her middle name as she was a minor during their online relationship. The publication also makes a note that the two never formally met in person.
Other victims accused Adams of allegedly manipulating their musical talent to coerce them into engaging in sexual acts. If rejected, Bridgers claimed that Adams would get angry and even threatened to kill himself on an occasion. Moore backed up these claims by mentioning he used allegedly used music to control them into following his orders.
The once-anticipated album Big Colors was set to be apart of a trilogy of albums released in 2019. The artist even released the lead single for the upcoming project called “Fuck the Rain.” Along with this, he revealed the second album title to be Wednesdays.
In light of cancellations of the album, companies have parted ways with Adams’ in light of these allegations as well. Musical equipment companies Benson Amps and JHS Pedals, who produce signature amplifiers and guitar pedals for the artists, ended their long-term relationships with the artist.
Further updates are to come as this investigation is developing.
Leave a Comment