Elton John's new studio album has been revealed to be a collaboration with Brandi Carlile. —Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire/dpa
Elton John has announced the details of his forthcoming studio album, which is a collaboration with US singer Brandi Carlile.
Who Believes In Angels? will be released in the spring and has been co-written by John’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and produced by Grammy Award-winner Andrew Watt.
The title track was released on Wednesday, and the album also includes Oscar-nominated song Never Too Late, inspired by John's ’s documentary of the same name.
Before the album’s release, John and Carlile will take to the London Palladium on March 26 for an evening of performance and storytelling.
The 77-year-old said: "This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.
"It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future.
"I have everything I’ve done behind me and it’s been brilliant, amazing.
"But this is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career Mark 2."
Carlile said: "I’m still reeling from the fact that I got to do it.
"I think all ships rise with Elton John’s standards for songwriting, and it was an incredibly challenging and inspiring environment to work in, everybody throwing in ideas, everybody listening to everybody else’s ideas. It felt like a family.
"The world is a wild place to live in right now. It’s hard to find peace and triumph.
"It’s a radical act to seek out joyful and euphoric happenings. And that is what this album represents to me."
In October 2023, John, Carlile, Watt and Taupin wrote and recorded the album from scratch in 20 days at Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound recording studio, where they were joined by musicians including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and their former guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
Cameras captured the recording sessions and the footage was turned into a short film.
In November, John revealed in an interview that limited vision caused by an infection had impacted his ability to record music and left him feeling stuck.
Asked about the new album and when it would be coming out, he told ABC News’ Good Morning America: "I don’t know. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything, and well, I just have to get off my backside."
His headline set at Glastonbury in 2023 was his last UK performance as part of his 330-date 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour', which ended with an emotionally charged show in Stockholm, Sweden.
In January he achieved his ninth UK number one album with Diamonds, a greatest hits compilation.
Carlile, 43, is known for hits including The Story and has collaborated with artistes including Hozier, Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys.
Who Believes In Angels? will be released in Island EMI Records on April 4. – dpa
