Ryan Adams has made his first online statement since the release of a New York Times report in February where he was accused of sexual and psychological abuse by a number of women, including ex-wife Mandy Moore, fellow prominent rock musician Phoebe Bridgers, and an underage woman. According to Pitchfork, the lengthy statement was posted on Adams’ verified Instagram account for his roughly 40,000 followers to read.

The post starts with a firm statement that people deserve to know the truth about who and what Adams is. Notably, he also says that he still has a lot to say and more will be coming soon. Adams goes on to state that there is already enough “madness and misunderstanding” in the world, his main desire is to just get back to making music, and that he has always cared most about the music. Then, he mentions a few of his personal issues, including the death of his brother the day his Prisoner tour ended, and how music was able to help him get through that pain.  Adams continues to focus on his musical output in the post, restating his desire to get back to playing “great shows” and releasing “these badass records”.  He ends the statement with a brief paragraph declaring the importance of believing women and his commitment to “be[ing] a part of a better tomorrow for everybody”.

The other 11 posts he made on Instagram around the same time include a clip of “I’m Sorry and I Love You”, a song from his now scrapped album, Big Colors, a few instrumental snippets, and some music recommendations. Big Colors was scrapped by Adams’ label Pax-Am label and its two distributors, Capitol Records and Blue Note, soon after the allegations were made public. It would’ve been Adams’ seventeenth studio album.

Ryan Adams initial response to the New York Times article came in a series of tweets that attempted to paint the article as misleading and not entirely true.

I have a lot to say. I am going to. Soon.
Because the truth matters.

I know who I am. What I am.
It’s time people know.
Past time.

All the beauty in a life cannot be reduced to rubble for lies.
This madness.

My work was a map for the lost. Not a billboard.

So soon.

— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) July 20, 2019