Black Country, New Road have announced their new album, Forever Howlong, set for release on April 4th via Ninja Tune. This marks their first studio album since 2022’s UK Top 3 hit, Ants From Up There, which followed their Mercury Prize-nominated debut, For the first time. In 2023, they released the acclaimed live album Live at Bush Hall, praised by The Guardian as a “magical resurgence.” Forever Howlong sees the band reinventing themselves once again.
Produced by James Ford (Fontaines D.C., Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Blur), the album showcases a new dynamic, with songwriting and vocal duties shared by Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw.
Of the change, Ellery states,
It created a real through line for the album, having three girls singing. It’s definitely very different to Ants From Up There, because of the female perspective – and the music we’ve made also compliments that.
The band has also released the album’s first single and opening track, Besties, an expansive and uplifting song that is notable as the first Black Country, New Road studio recording with Georgia Ellery on lead vocals.
‘Besties’ will be accompanied by a music video premiering today at 5 PM GMT. Following the premiere, the band will host a live Q&A on YouTube. The video is directed by award-winning director Rianne White, known for her work on Young Fathers’ “Lord” and collaborations with artists like Aurora, Kae Tempest, and Lola Young.
Forever Howlong, blends folk, prog, baroque pop, and alt-rock, drawing inspiration from artists like Joanna Newsom and Randy Newman while maintaining their unique sound. Despite its stylistic breadth, the album is cohesive and focused, seamlessly integrating the distinct voices of its three vocalists.
Forever Howlong will be available in various formats, including standard and limited edition vinyl and cassette versions. Having road-tested much of the album’s material live throughout 2024, including performances at Coachella, Glastonbury, and Primavera, the band will tour extensively in support of the album in 2025, with festival appearances and a UK/EU tour culminating in a headline show at London’s O2 Brixton Academy.
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