British singer-songwriter and pianistElton Johnplans to release his fifth collaborative studio album (titledWho Believes In Angels?) in just a few weeks, shortly after John’s 78th birthday. It’s his first new LP since 2021’s previously collaborativeThe Lockdown Sessions, and it finds John making a 10-song album withLockdowncohort (and 11-time Grammy winner) Brandi Carlile. They’re not alone either, asRed Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, former RHCP guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, and storied bassist Pino Palladino join in to lend support, along with producer Andrew Watt (whose credits includethe recent Lady Gaga albumMayhem).
John and Carlile haven’t been strangers to each other as of late, as in addition to their work together on theLockdowntrack “Simple Things,” Carlile helped co-write and perform with John onthe Academy Award-nominated song “Never Too Late"from last year’sElton John: Never Too Latedocumentary. That only sets the expectations even higher for the duo’s upcoming work together onWho Believes In Angels?, especially given Carlile’s storied abilityto get the best out of other living legends, including Country Music Hall of Famer Tanya Tucker and monolithic musical icon Joni Mitchell.
What We Can Expect From This Album
An Intensive Collaboration
The recording process forWho Believes In Angels?began in October 2023 and saw John, Carlile, and Wattpushing each other out of what was familiar in their creative processesin an attempt to make an album completely from scratch in merely 20 days. Ten songs emerged from the endeavor that were not only written by John and Carlile but also had contributions from Watt as well as John’s storied songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. As a result of the significant collaboration in these songs, what resulted feels distinctly energized and upbeat.
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As a musician with decades in the business and a pile of albums to back up his success, at this point it’d be easy for John to simply sit back and cruise away, counting all of his money. But even being on the doorstep of turning 78 hasn’t stopped John from a desire to work with younger talents like Carlile, Lady Gaga, and Dua Lipa, showing thatbeing in and around music still means something to him, even if the process behind making it isn’t always easy.
Elton John Struggled Making This LP
There Were Plenty Of Studio Headaches
The behind-the-scenes aspects of makingWho Believes In Angels?were filmed by an in-studio camera crew, and what they caught didn’t always make for a rosy environment at LA’s Sunset Sound Recorders Studio. Initially, both Carlile and John struggled to connect with each other musically, while Johngrew increasingly frustrated, angry, and exhaustedby creative missteps and disagreements in the pressure cooker of a rapid 20-day recording window.
Eventually, however, the pair were able to find their sound and flow together with their fellow musicians and Watt’s production direction to land the ten songs on the album. While John certainly didn’t hide his initial displeasure when it came to the issues encountered recording in the studio, he ultimately came away from the experience feeling as though he’d reached an optimistic new step in where his career will go from here. As he said in a quote (via his websiteeltonjohn.com):
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.
It just goes to show thatthe great ones know how to get it done, even when the pressure’s on and the lights are burning at their brightest. Again, John being able to show enthusiasm and appreciation for these types of challenges and feeling his newest era is still just ahead really does show that music is still meaningful for him. We never stop learning or being able to appreciate what we love, no matter the age.
What’s Next For John And Carlile
As This Record Gets Released
Who Believes In Angelsgets officially released to the world on April 4th. Two singles from the project have already dropped, including the title track and “Swing For The Fences.” While there are no plans for John and Carlile to tour this album (especially afterElton John’s recent retirement from the road), the duo do plan onplaying a one-night-only show consisting of performance and storytellingat the London Palladium that takes place on March 26th.
