There are few contemporary bands who can do musical reinvention quite as consistently as Black Country, New Road. From their Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut For the First Time, which touched upon everything from jazz to post-rock via klezmer music, to the art-rock meets chamber pop follow up Ants From Up There (both top 5 charting albums).
Black Country, New Road return with the announcement of a new album, "Forever Howlong", coming April 4th on Ninja Tune.
They have announced a show in 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin on Monday 15th September 2025.
Tickets priced from €31.50 including booking fee & €1.50 restoration levy go on sale at 10am on Friday 7th February with Ticketmaster Ireland
Three Ireland presale on sale 10am on Wednesday 5th February with #Three+
"Forever Howlong" is their first studio release since 2022's UK #3 album “Ants From Up There”, which gave the band their second Top 5 UK album in 12 months alongside their Mercury Prize shortlisted debut “For the first time”, and follows 2023's "Live at Bush Hall", an album The Guardian claimed was a “magical resurgence” in a triumphant five-star review. Now, on studio album three, the band are once again building from the ground up in yet another miraculous musical transformation.
The long-awaited new record was produced by James Ford (Fontaines D.C., Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Blur) and sees Black Country, New Road settled into a new shape in which vocal duties – and most of the song writing – is split between Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw. “It created a real through line for the album, having three girls singing," says Ellery. "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 also share the first single and album opener with the expansive, joyous "Besties", the first Black Country, New Road studio release to feature lead vocals by Georgia Ellery.
LISTEN TO "BESTIES" HERE
When singer Isaac Wood amicably left, Black Country, New Road wrote an entire set of new songs to tour which ended up on Live at Bush Hall, an album The Guardian claimed was a “magical resurgence” in a triumphant five-star review. Now, on studio album three, the band are once again building from the ground up in yet another miraculous musical transformation.
"Bush Hall was a really fun project for us," says Charlie Wayne. "But after touring it extensively, we were ready for something new." The band, now a six-piece with vocal duties shared among Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw, is excited about their latest album, which reflects their growth and perspective.
Their close-knit friendship and musical adaptability remain key to their success. They've been praised as "the best band in the world" by The Quietus, even without conventional tours. Their live album captures the profound friendships that have shaped their journey.
Produced by James Ford, their new record showcases a bold range of styles, from folk to prog, while maintaining a unique sound. The album's opening track, ‘Besties,’ celebrates female friendships in creative spaces, leading into the easy-going ‘The Big Spin.’
With each member contributing individual songs, a collaborative songwriting process emerged, where ideas influenced one another seamlessly. For example, ‘Happy Birthday,’ inspired by ‘Besties,’ addresses generational differences while retaining its own distinct identity. Overall, the album is a cohesive blend of varied influences, reflecting both contemporary and timeless themes.
