Forever Howlong is the upcoming third studio album by British rock band Black Country, New Road. Set to be released on 4 April 2025 via Ninja Tune, it will be their first studio album after the departure of lead vocalist Isaac Wood, with vocal and principal songwriting duties being taken over by members Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw.[1] It will serve as a follow-up to their critically acclaimed second album, Ants from Up There (2022).
Background
After the release of Ants from Up There (2022), the departure of frontman Isaac Wood led to the band having to rapidly develop new music for their scheduled tour dates. These live tracks were compiled as a part of Live at Bush Hall (2023), which featured a notable shift in lyrics focusing on friendship rather than romance.[2]
Band member Lewis Evans described the new style of lyrics as containing a "pop mentality" which is "catchy and likeable but have a deep-set weirdness". Hyde says that while there are many "tongue-in-cheek moments" in the album, there exist plenty of "darkness within the album as well", explaining that it's much easier to be creatively dark than happy.[3]
In Forever Howlong, vocals are performed by the three female members of the band, Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw. Ellery described the process in a Pitchfork interview as a "healthy competition". Hyde noted the diversity in the three's backgrounds, stating it displayed "a pretty wide spectrum of womanhood".[2] The album was produced by James Ford, who worked 16 hour days for three weeks on the album.[2]
The band experimented with new instruments in the album, stating that they learnt the recorder in order to accompany Kershaw's piano compositions.[2] Ellery, whose violin was crushed due to a touring accident before the recording, had added the mandolin to the record and Kershaw experimented with the harpsichord in some of the singles.[3]
Promotion and release
Teasers for Forever Howlong appeared throughout December 2024 and January 2025 on the band's social media and mailing list.[4] Billboards promoting the album were placed around London which featured artwork from the album, as well as the date of 4 April 2025.[5] Three of the billboards included a red button that would illuminate a star when pressed.[6]
On 22 January, the release of the first single "Besties" on 30 January was confirmed through a webpage displayed after signing up for the mailing list.[4] It is accompanied by a music video directed by Rianne White.[7]
The second single from the album, "Happy Birthday", was released on 3 March, alongside a stop-motion animation music video directed by Lesley-Anne Rose.[8]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Charlie Wayne, Georgia Ellery, Lewis Evans, Luke Mark, May Kershaw, and Tyler Hyde.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Besties" | 3:36 |
| 2. | "The Big Spin" | 2:31 |
| 3. | "Socks" | 6:07 |
| 4. | "Salem Sisters" | 3:10 |
| 5. | "Two Horses" | 6:26 |
| 6. | "Mary" | 4:06 |
| 7. | "Happy Birthday" | 4:06 |
| 8. | "For the Cold Country" | 6:27 |
| 9. | "Nancy Tries to Take the Night" | 6:36 |
| 10. | "Forever Howlong" | 4:48 |
| 11. | "Goodbye (Don’t Tell Me)" | 4:17 |
| Total length: | 52:10 | |
Note
- Tracks 8 through 11 are listed in reverse order on the Collector's Edition 2LP. "Forever Howlong" is additionally split into two separate tracks.[10]
References
- ^ Murry, Robin (30 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road Announce New Album 'Forever Howlong'". Clash. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d Cohen, Ian (30 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road Head Into the Unknown". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ a b Rigotti, Alex (7 February 2025). "Black Country, New Road are on a different path now". NME. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ a b Hudson, Alex (22 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road Releasing New Single Next Week". Exclaim!. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (24 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road tease new single, "Besties"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ Jones, Damian (24 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road announce single and tease new album with interactive billboards across London". NME. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (30 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road announce third album 'Forever Howlong'". DIY. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (3 March 2025). "Black Country, New Road unveil next 'Forever Howlong' preview 'Happy Birthday'". DIY. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "BEATINK.COM / Forever Howlong". BEATINK.COM (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ "Forever Howlong Collectors Edition 2LP". Black Country New Road. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
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